HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-12-20-minutes-closed-record-hearing-iron-horse-solar-farm-cupCOMMISSIONERS’ MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ARMORY – MAIN HALL
901 EAST 7TH AVENUE
ELLENSBURG, WASHINGTON
TUESDAY 6:00 P.M. DECEMBER 20, 2016
Board members present: Chairman Obie O’Brien, Vice-Chairman
Paul Jewell and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Jeff Watson, Staff
Planner, Dan Carlson, Community Development Services Director;
Neil Caulkins, Deputy Prosecutor and approximately 20 members of
the public.
SPECIAL MEETING IRON HORSE SOLAR FARM CUP CDS
At 6:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN O’BRIEN opened a Closed Record Hearing to
consider the Hearing Examiners recommendation on the Iron Horse
Solar Farm Conditional Use Permit (CU-15-00006) and reviewed the
process.
JEFF WATSON, STAFF PLANNER reviewed a Staff Report and said
there would be no new information entered into the record as it
is a Closed Record Hearing. He provided an overview of the Iron
Horse Solar Farm Conditional Use Permit (CU-15-00006) including
the location, zoning, and size of project, as well as the
application timelines. The Hearing Examiner provided a
recommendation of approval with proposed Conditions and Findings
of Fact, Conclusions of Law. MR. WATSON said photographs had
been previously submitted by the appellants that were included
in the record, but since they did not seem to scan very well, he
provided them for the Boards review.
COMMISSIONER JEWELL asked questions of Staff relating to noise
and if conditions were suggested to have a monitoring plan in
place to ensure the applicant was meeting or exceeding the
conditions. He also asked Staff for clarification on the
decommissioning requirements and said he would like to
dramatically improve that section. CHAIRMAN O’BRIEN said he
would like to ensure that any contamination to the soil would be
remediated in the decommissioning section. COMMISSIONER
OSIADACZ expressed reasons why she believed the project did not
meet the definition of Rural Character as well as concerns
relating to the overall size of the project on the property.
COMMISSIONER JEWELL said while he understood the concerns, the
Board needs to determine if it’s consistent with the Growth
Management Act, the County’s Comprehensive Plan and Code. He
provided possible solutions to include language referencing a
type of rural, friendly fencing around the project.
CHAIRMAN O’BRIEN said the County needs to be in compliance with
their own Code and although he would rather not see large
projects in farmlands, the provision was made with the farmers
input. The Board indicated they would like additional time to
review and for deliberation.
COMMISSIONER JEWELL moved to continue the Closed Record Hearing
to January 10, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commissioners
Auditorium, Room 109, Kittitas County Courthouse 205 West 5th
Avenue Ellensburg, WA and to direct staff to prepare language as
provided by the Board relating to noise, decommissioning and
fencing requirements. COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ seconded. Motion
carried 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Chairman Obie O’Brien