HomeMy WebLinkAboutLP-17-00003 Ridge Camp BOCC Staff Report
COMMUNITY PLANNING BUILDING INSPECTION PLAN REVIEW ADMINISTRATION PERMIT SERVICES CODE ENFORCEMENT
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
411 N. Ruby St., Suite 2, Ellensburg, WA 98926
CDS@CO.KITTITAS.WA.US
Office (509) 962-7506
Fax (509) 962-7682
“Building Partnerships – Building Communities”
STAFF REPORT
RIVER RIDGE PRELIMINARY PLAT (LP-17-00003)
TO: Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Kittitas County Community Development Services Staff
RE: River Ridge Preliminary Plat (LP-17-00003)
DATE: April 18th, 2017
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Requested Action: Steven Lathrop, authorized agent for property owner New Suncadia, LLC, has submitted a
Preliminary Plat application to subdivide a portion of a 422 acre parcel 39 single-family residential lots with open
space tracts. The project is Phase 2 of Division # 3, of the Suncadia project. The project is proposed on a site
zoned a Master Planned Resort (Suncadia).
Location: The subject property is located approximately 0.75 miles west of Roslyn in the Suncadia Master
Planned Resort on Swiftwater Drive. Assessor’s map number: 20-14-13050-0092.
II. SITE INFORMATION
Total Project Size: 422.24 acres
Number of Lots: 39
Domestic Water: Community Water System
Sewage Disposal: Community Septic System
Fire Protection: Fire District 7
Irrigation District: None
Site Characteristics:
North: Wooded
South: Wooded, Cle Elum River
East: Wooded, Vacant
West: Residential/Golf Course
Access: The project itself will have access from Swiftwater Drive. River Ridge Loop is proposed to service lots
1-6, 12-25, and 26-39, while Steelhead Court, ending in a cul-de sac, is proposed to provide access to lots 7-11.
III. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
Zoning and Development Standards: The subject property is located within the Master Planned Resort zoning
designation (Suncadia). The purpose and intent of the Master Planned Resort zone is to provide areas where
residents and visitors alike can enjoy the
“…wide range of natural features, including climate, vegetation, water, resources, scenic
qualities, cultural, and geological features…”
that Kittitas County has to offer. The Suncadia Master Planned Resort was originally applied for as
MountainStar in March of 1997. A development agreement and was signed at that time by the BOCC. A
Final Environmental Impact Statement was published by the County in April of 2000 which was found
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to be legally adequate (Res. 2000-79) in July of 2000 by the BOCC after being challenged by several
governmental and non-governmental entities. In October of 2000 the BOCC approved adoption of the
MountainStar MPR Application, Development Plan and Conditions of Approval. The development
agreement now in its seventh amendment dictates the terms and conditions of development in the MPR.
Section 4.1(a) lays out the vested rights of the now Suncadia MPR with respect to continued
development and limits the county’s ability to
“… impose new or different regulations on Trendwest's development of review to Mountain Star
to the extent required by a serious threat to public health and safety: and provided further,
however, the parties agree that Trendwest's vested rights under this Agreement may be modified,
and that the County may modify the MountainStar MPR Conditions or impose mitigation as part
of a Subsequent Action based on statutes, rules, regulations, official policies, and standards
other than the Applicable Law…”
to three conditions;
1. When the County reasonably believes in good faith that County approval of a Subsequent Action
for Mountain Star under the terms of this Agreement would result in a decision by a State or
Federal administrative agency, or a Court of competent jurisdiction that the County eligibility for
funding, grants. program eligibility or other resources sought by the County would be impaired
(for example, if approval of any portion of development would prohibit the County from being
eligible under the National Flood Insurance Program or result in higher premium rates to the
County or it's property owners);
2. When the County reasonably believes in good faith that County approval of a Subsequent Action
for MountainStar under the terms of this Agreement would result in a decision by a State or
Federal administrative agency, or a Court of competent jurisdiction, that the County unlawfully
failed to comply with the Endangered Species Act or other State or Federal laws or regulations in
approving the Subsequent Action; or
3. When a State or Federal statute or regulation would impose cumulative standards for compliance
on an area wide or countywide basis. Modification under this section shall only be to the extent
necessary to address the applicant's proportionate share of such cumulative standard (for
example. if new federal water quality standards are adopted with cumulative in-stream
standards, storm water standards for MountainStar may be adjusted to reflect Trend west's
proportional share for correction of the diminished water quality, if any).
The development agreement establishes a hierarchy of development design levels which allows for modification
from the general to the specific as long as each tier is consistent with its superior element. In section four it goes
on to spell out permitted and conditional uses, applicable law, and development standards. It also emphasizes that:
“… the County's environmental review of any Subsequent Action pursuant to SEPA shall utilize the
Mountain Star EIS to the fullest extent permitted by law.1 Under the Planned Action Ordinance, the
County retains substantive SEPA authority to address probable significant adverse environmental
impacts not analyzed in the MountainStar EIS. In addition, further SEPA review may be required in
connection with General Site Plans and Site Development Plans submitted by Trendwest which propose
deviations from the MountainStar Resort Conceptual Master Plan or from approved General Site Plans
or Site Development Plans in accordance with Section 5.1 below.”
Section 5.1 grants administrative authority to the Director of CDS when a General Site Plan, Site Development
Plan, or Subdivision is consistent with the MountainStar Resort Conceptual Master Plan.
1 Staff emphasis
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“A General Site Plan that is consistent with the approved MountainStar Resort Conceptual Master Plan
and the Development Agreement shall be submitted to the Planning Director and reviewed and approved
by the Planning Director in accordance with this Section 5.l(b). Before approving a General Site Plan,
the Planning Director shall provide public notice and submit such proposed General Site Plan to the
Environmental Health Director, Building Inspector, Fire Marshall, County Engineer. Sheriff, Solid Waste
Department and any other County offices or officials deemed appropriate for their review and comment.
A General Site Plan shall be approved by the Planning Director if the Planning Director finds that such
General Site Plan is consistent with: (i) the MPR Approvals, including the MountainStar Resort
Conceptual Master Plan; (ii) this Agreement; and (iii) Applicable Law.”
The proposal is consistent with the Conceptual Master Plan and the General Site Plan (which was amended in
2005 changing the project area from open space to residential; see attachments) and as such under the terms of the
Development Agreement is only subject to minimal review with respect to land use activities.
“A Site Development Plan shall be reviewed and approved by the County in the same manner as General
Site Plans pursuant to Sections 5.1 (b) and 5.1 (c) above; provided, however, that: (i) a Site Development
Plan which is consistent with the MountainStar Resort Conceptual Master Plan and the Development
Agreement or an approved General Site Plan and a Site Development Plan… may be reviewed and
approved by the BOCC without Planning Commission review…”
Section 5.2 of the Development Agreement (attached) lays out the provisions for subdivision approval which
reflect the language for General Site Plan and Site Development plans:
(a) Applications to subdivide property within MountainStar shall be submitted consistent with this
Agreement and the requirements of Title 16 KC, Plats, Subdivisions, Dedications, and Ch. 58.17 RCW.
Plat applications may be submitted and processed concurrently with review of a Site Development Plan
under Section 5. 1 above2. Plat applications may be submitted for all or a portion of the proposed
MountainStar development covered by a Site Development Plan.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of Title 16 KCC, Subdivisions, seemingly to the contrary, a plat
application submitted to implement development of all or a portion of a Site Development Plan seeking
preliminary and/or final plat approval shall be approved by the BOCC upon a finding that any such
application is consistent with: (i) the MPR Approvals; (ii) an approved Site Development Plan; (iii) the
requirements of Chapter 58.17 RCW regarding plats, subdivisions and dedications; and (iv) the terms
and conditions of this Agreement….
In summary by front loading the land use review process through the Development Agreement, Environmental
Impact Statement, General Site Plans and Site Development Plans, The Master Planned Resort designation
permits an expedited review process for the specifics of subdivision and other land use activities and in reality
limits the process to the mechanical elements of the proposed development, not philosophical. Suncadia itself has
a required review process for development which scrutinizes the proposal to ensure consistency with the internal
provisions, wants, needs, and desires of the resort. These internal CC&Rs provide guidance with respect to the
nature of lots sizes, setbacks, and design.
Preliminary Plats: The requirements of KCC Chapter 16.08.200, “Subdivision" means the division or re-division
of land into five or more lots, tracts, parcels, sites or divisions for the purpose of sale, lease or transfer of
ownership any one of which is less than 20 acres.
2 Staff emphasis
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Notice of Application: A complete long plat application was submitted to Community Development Services on
March 24th, 2017. As per section 5.1 of the development agreement the application was sent to department heads
“deemed appropriate”. A notice of application was sent to all property owners within 500 feet of the project site.
IV. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan designates the subject property as being contained with the
MountainStar Planned Resort Subarea and provides guidance for development which generally refers back to the
development agreement and approval permit.
9.3. Land Uses
Land uses within the MountainStar Master Planned Resort Subarea shall be as shown on the Conceptual
Master Plan referred to as Index # 29, may be amended upon approval of the County. Land uses within
the MountainStar Master Planned Resort Subarea shall be consistent with (a) any development
regulations adopted by the County to implement the MountainStar Master Planned Resort Subarea, (b) the
terms and conditions of any MPR Development Permit approved by the County for MountainStar, (c) the
terms and conditions of any Development Agreement entered into by the County pursuant to RCW
36.70B.170 through .200, and Ch. 15A.11 KCC, Development Agreements, and (d) RCW 36.70A.360.
and:
9.4. Services and Facilities
Adequate provision for services and facilities to the MountainStar Master Planned Resort Subarea as set
forth in the Conceptual Master Plan for MountainStar shall be ensured by the terms and conditions of any
MPR Development Permit approved by the County to implement the MountainStar Master Planned
Resort Subarea, and by the terms and conditions of any development agreement entered into by the
County pursuant to RCW 36.70B.170 through .200, and Ch. 15A.11 KCC, Development Agreements.
and:
9.5. Development Regulations
Development regulations applicable to the MountainStar Master Planned Resort Subarea shall be those
established through the Subarea Implementation as set forth in Section 9.6.
and:
9.6. Subarea Implementation
Development of the MountainStar Master Planned Resort Subarea shall be governed by (a) the Subarea
Policies set forth in Section 9.2, (b) any development regulations adopted by the County to implement the
MountainStar Master Planned Resort Subarea, (c) the terms and conditions of any MPR Development
Permit approved by the County for MountainStar, and (d) the terms and conditions of any development
agreement entered into by the County pursuant to RCW 36.70B.170 through .200, and Ch. 15A.11 KCC,
Development Agreements.
County Wide Planning Policies:
No county wide planning policies address the MountainStar/Trendwest/Suncadia development and MPR
V. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
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Environmental review is subject to the Environmental Impact Statement. This project is consistent with the
Development Agreement, Environmental Impact Statement, General Site Plans and Site Development Plan and as
such no additional review is required.
VI. AGENCY AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Applicable agencies, adjacent property owners, and interested parties have been given the opportunity to review
this proposal and have been notified of the Public Hearing. One public comment was received, and the Yakima
Nation, the Washington Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation, Kittitas County Public Works, the
Washington Department of Health all responded with comments. The comments are shown in Index #s 30-37.
VII. PROJECT ANALYSIS
In review of this proposal it is important to consider the goals and policies of the comprehensive plan, applicable
county code, public and agency comments, any identified environmental concerns and state and federal
requirements. Identified below is planning staff’s analysis and consistency review for the subject application.
Comprehensive Plan Consistency:
The proposal is consistent with the goals and policies of the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan. The proposed
subdivision will be adequately served proposed levels of service. The lots will be served by community water and
sewage systems, and the proposed Steelhead Court and River Ridge Loop will provide sufficient access in
conjunction with the existing Swiftwater Drive. CDS has conducted an administrative critical area review in
accordance with KCC 17A . Although Shorelines of the State, wetlands, streams, and floodplains exist on the
parcel, setbacks will be observed by the project as proposed.
Consistency with the provision of KCC 17.37.030, Master Planned Resort:
This proposal is consistent with the Kittitas County Zoning Code 17.30. A variety of densities are allowed in the
MPR. The lots in this proposal range in size from 0.33 to 0.56 acres.
Consistency with the provisions of KCC 16.12: Preliminary Plat Subdivision Code:
This proposal is consistent with the Kittitas County Subdivision Code for Preliminary Plats.
Consistency with the provisions of KCC Title 12: Roads and Bridges:
All roads are required to meet all Kittitas County Road. Kittitas County Public Works will be present at the
hearing to address any issues with respect to roads and infrastructure.
Agency Comments:
Several agencies responded with substantive comments:
Washington Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP)
DAHP responded with concerns in relation to pre contact archeological resources. They requested that an
archeological survey be conducted, and the completed survey sent to DAHP and all interested tribes.
Kittitas County Department of Public Works
Kittitas County Public Works requires that infrastructure be guaranteed through financial devices
acceptable to the county and covering at minimum 110 % of costs. In addition, civil plans must be
submitted and reviewed, as well as addressing and private road naming applications. The final plat must
meet the requirements noted by the county surveyor (Index # 34).
Yakima Nation
The Nation noted in its comments that the archeological survey in the original EIS is over 20 years old,
and recommends that a new survey be conducted.
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Washington Department of Health
The Washington Department of Health commented to note that the existing community water system had
sufficient capacity to service the proposed lots.
Public Comments:
Two public comments were received prior to the end of the comment period (Index #s 32 and 37). One comment
was referred to concerns with traffic volume, loss of vegetation along with cougar and bear habitat, and the
addition of impervious surfaces. Another public comment dealt with concerns over conservation easements.
VIII. RECOMMENDATION
As conditioned below, the application does not appear to be detrimental to the general public health, safety or
welfare and meets the basic intent and criteria associated with Title 12, Title 16.08, Title 16.12 and Title 17.37 of
the Kittitas County Code and the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan. Staff recommends approval of the River
Ridge Preliminary Plat LP-17-00003, subject to the following findings of fact and conditions:
Suggested Findings of Fact
1. Steven Lathrop, authorized agent for property owner New Suncadia, LLC, has submitted a Preliminary
Plat application to subdivide a portion of a 422 acre parcel 39 single-family residential lots with open
space tracts. The project is Phase 2 of Division # 3, of the Suncadia project. The project is proposed on a
site zoned a Master Planned Resort (Suncadia).
2. Site Information:
The subject property is located approximately 0.75 miles west of Roslyn in the Suncadia Master Planned
Resort on Swiftwater Drive. Assessor’s map number: 20-14-13050-0092.
Total Project Size: 422.24 acres
Number of Lots: 39
Domestic Water: Community Water System
Sewage Disposal: Community Septic System
Fire Protection: Fire District 7
Irrigation District: None
Site Characteristics:
North: Wooded
South: Wooded, Cle Elum River
East: Wooded, Vacant
West: Residential/Golf Course
3. The Comprehensive Plan designation is Rural Recreation.
4. The subject property is zoned Master Planned Resort, which allows for a variety of residential densities.
5. A complete long plat application was submitted to Community Development Services on March 6th, 2017.
As per section 5.1 of the development agreement the application was sent to department heads “deemed
appropriate”. A notice of application was sent to all property owners within 500 feet of the project site.
6. Based upon review of the submitted application materials including an environmental checklist, the
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application was found to be consistent with Development Agreement, Environmental Impact Statement,
General Site Plans and Site Development Plan and as such no additional review is required.
7. The proposal is consistent with the goals and policies of the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan. The
proposed subdivision will be adequately served by the proposed access and water systems. The lots will
be served by a community water and sewage systems, and two new private roads will serve the new lots
in conjunction with the existing Swiftwater Drive. Staff has conducted an administrative critical area
review in accordance with KCC 17A and found that although critical areas exist on the parcel, the project
as proposed will observe all necessary setbacks.
8. This proposal is consistent with the Kittitas County Zoning Code 17.37. The MPR zone allows for a
mixture of densities.
9. This proposal is consistent with the Kittitas County Subdivision Code for Preliminary Plats.
10. All roads are required to meet all Kittitas County Road Standards which will be a condition of final
approval.
11. Comments were received from agencies and the general public, and are included in the index file for
review.
Suggested Conclusions:
1. As conditioned, the development meets the goals, policies and implementation recommendations as set forth in
the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan.
2. As conditioned, this proposal is consistent with applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
3. Public use and interest will be served by approval of this proposal.
4. As conditioned, the proposal is consistent with Kittitas County Code Title 16 Subdivision, Title 17 Zoning,
Title 17A Critical Areas, Title 15 Environmental, and Title 12 Roads and Bridges.
Suggested Conditions of Approval:
1. The project shall proceed in substantial conformance with the plans and application materials on file dated
March 6th, 2017 except as amended by the conditions herein.
2. The applicant is responsible for compliance with all applicable local, state and federal rules and regulations,
and must obtain all appropriate permits and approvals.
3. All current and future landowners must comply with the International Fire Code.
4. It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact the Kittitas County Assessor’s and Treasurer’s offices to
confirm all taxes are current prior to final plat approval.
5. Computer sheets shall be submitted with the final plat showing the closure of plat boundaries, blocks, lots or
any tract. It is the responsibility of the Professional Licensed Surveyor (PLS) to ensure the lot closures are
correct and accurate.
6. The Final Plat shall meet all requirements as listed in Chapter 16.20 of the Subdivision Code, as follows:
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16.20.020 Final Plat General Information
a. The final plat shall be drawn on polyester film in a neat and legible manner.
b. The final plat shall be drawn to such a scale as to make a sheet eighteen inches by twenty-four
inches. Should this size sheet unduly congest the drawing, the plat may be submitted on two or
more sheets of the above dimensions. The perimeter of the subdivision shall be depicted with
heavier lines than appear elsewhere on the plat. A marginal line shall be drawn completely around
each sheet, leaving an entirely blank margin of one inch on the sides. The scale shall be one (1)
inch equals two hundred (200) feet, or greater, unless otherwise approved by the director.
c. All lettering shall be printed with permanent ink.
d. Each sheet of the final plat shall contain the subdivisions name at the top of the sheet in large
letters followed underneath with the section, township, range, county and state. The space for
recording the receiving number is in the upper right hand corner, sheet numbers at the bottom of
the sheets.
e. It shall show all courses and distances necessary to re-stake any portion of said plat.
f. Required monuments shall be shown together with a legend of monuments on the face of each
plat sheet. (Ord. 2005-31, 2005)
16.20.040 Plat Drawing
a. Section Data. All section, township, municipal and county lines lying within or adjacent to the
subdivision;
b. Tie Monuments. The location of all monuments or other evidence used as ties to establish the
subdivision's boundaries;
c. Plat Monuments. The location of all permanent control monuments found or established within
the subdivision;
d. Boundaries. The boundary of the subdivision, with complete bearings and lineal dimensions in
heavier lines;
e. Bearing and Distances. The length and bearings of all straight lines, the radii, arcs, and central
angles of all curves;
f. Lot Dimensions. The length of each lot line, together with bearings and other data necessary for
the location of any lot line in the field;
g. Road Names. The location, width, centerline, and name or names or number of all streets within
and adjoining the subdivision;
h. Easements. The location and width, shown with broken lines, and description of all easements.
Easements may be described in the plat restrictions in lieu of being shown on the plat drawings;
i. Lot Numbers. Numbers assigned to all lots and blocks within the subdivision;
j. Adjacent Owners. Names of owners of land adjacent to the subdivision, and the names of any
adjacent subdivisions;
k. Surrounding Area. All surrounding property shall be shown in dotted lines and letters with names
of plats, roads, adjoining lots, canals, and etc., and if un-platted shall be so indicated;
l. Vicinity Maps. A vicinity map showing the boundary of the plat in relation to the surrounding
area such as adjacent subdivisions, rivers, creeks, roads or highways, canals, etc. Minimum area
shown would be the section or sections containing the platted area with a scale of approximately
4" = 1 mile;
m. Contours. Contour lines are not shown on a final plat as required on the preliminary plat;
n. Miscellaneous Items. North arrow, scale and legend of monuments to be shown on open area of
sheets;
o. Grid Coordinates. A tie shall be made and shown on the plat if plat is within one mile of any such
monument.
p. Well location. The drawings shall be marked with a "w" indicating location of the well and a
broken line showing the one hundred foot radius around such.
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q. Ditches. Location of existing ditches apparent or of record. (Ord. 2005-31, 2005)
7. Timing of Improvements: This application is subject to the latest revision of the MountainStar Development
Agreement, The MountainStar Conceptual Master Plan, Environmental Impact Statement, General Site Plans
and Site Development Plans which govern development within the Master Planned Resort.
8. All development, design and construction shall comply with Kittitas County Code, Kittitas County Zoning
and the International Fire and Building Codes.