2026-9-14 CDS_SS_BRIEFINGS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

KITTITAS COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT roTH SERVICES 411 N.Ruby St.,Suite 2,Ellensburg,WA 98926 "Building Partnerships—Building CDSl7a CO.KITTITAS.WA.US K=1rASC0L'VTY Office Mg)962-7506 GAP ANALYSIS Kittitas County Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Program Executive Summary This gap analysis evaluates every relevant subsection of Kittitas County Code (KCC) Chapter 17.13 — Transfer of Development Rights against the specific concerns raised by the Washington State Department of Commerce in: • March 27, 2026 Letter —Comprehensive Plan comments, including the recommendation to consolidate TDR goals and policies under a dedicated TDR section in the Rural Element. • May 22,2026 Letter —Development regulations comments focused on TDR definitions (KCC 17.13.015),receiving sites (KCC 17.13.030(e), (f), and(g)),transfer process, and the exchange rate table in KCC 17.13.080. This gap analysis also includes a review of Kittitas County Code, Chapter 17.13 in reference to general standards and guidance established under the Washington State Growth Management Act. CDS staff found the following sections applicable to this evaluation; • RCW 36.70A.020 (planning goals) • RCW 36.70A.030(38) (rural character) • RCW 36.70A.070(5) (rural element) • RCW 36.70A.090 (innovative techniques) • RCW 36.70A.110 (urban growth areas) Primary Finding: KCC 17.13.015 and KCC 17.13.030(1)(g) expressly authorize all Rural Lands as receiving sites. KCC 17.13.080(5)provides a 1:1 exchange rate for"Rural Development." Together these provisions allow rural-to-rural density transfers, which Commerce states "may have the opposite effect by encouraging growth in rural areas" and which conflict with the GMA purpose of TDR programs—to direct growth toward cities and UGAs while protecting rural character and resource lands. Commerce recommends amending or rescinding the program.