HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-16-minutes-public-hearing-solar-regulations-update04/16/2019 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON COMMISSIONERS AUDITORIUM SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY 6:00 P.M. APRIL 16, 2019
Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright; Vice-Chairman Brett
Wachsmith; and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Dan Carlson, CDS
Director; Lindsey Ozbolt, Planning Official; Chelsea Benner, Planner
I; Jeremy Johnston, Planner I; Dusty Pilkington, Planner 1; and
approximately 7 members of the public.
PUBLIC HEARING SOLAR OVERLAY ZONE 3 CDS
At 6:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT opened a Public Hearing to consider the
adoption of Solar Overlay Zone 3 in Kittitas County Code 17.61C
Solar Power Production Facilities regulations and associated
amendment to the Solar Overlay Map.
LINDSEY OZBOLT, PLANNING OFFICIAL provided a power-point
presentation which included the background, proposed amendments,
public notice, environmental review, public comments, and
consistency with the Comprehensive Plan. She recommended approval of
the proposed amendments of Solar Overlay Zone 3 to the Solar Power
Production Facilities development regulations and the SPPF Overlay
Map. DAN CARLSON, CDS DIRECTOR provided the Board with information
on how experts from the solar industry were brought in so they could
obtain information on various issues such as substation limitations,
etc.
THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: JIM NELSON provided support of solar
production outside of agriculture lands, as well as in Zone 3. He
asked the Board to clarify the Ordinance siting land outside of
irrigation district boundaries. AUDREY COPELAND said she worked for
a solar developer and provided information from their perspective
and urged the Board to allow for making cases around irrigation to
assist with solar projects. JEFF DUNNING, MEMBER OF THE SOLAR ADVISORY COMMITTEE said there had been changes since their last
meeting and how there was conflicting information with Growth
Management Act. He encouraged the Board to carefully consider the
proposed overlay language. MARLENE PFEIFER said she was concerned
with Zone 3 because there was no limit with land and the amount of
megawatts, which she felt could potentially be burdensome. THERE BEING NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED.
The Board asked questions of Staff and deliberated.
04/16/2019 MINUTES 2
COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ moved to approve the Planning Commission
recommendations relating to Zone 3, add language to include 7
megawatts being the maximum allowable before triggering the
Conditional Use Permit process and to direct Staff to prepare
enabling documents. COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH seconded. Motion carried
3-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Cory Wright, Chairman