HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-10-minutes-continued-closed-record-hearing-iron-horse-solar-farm-cup-2017-01-10 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS’ MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
COMMISSIONERS AUDITORIUM
ELLENSBURG, WASHINGTON
TUESDAY 6:00 P.M. JANUARY 10, 2017
Board members present: Chairman Paul Jewell, Vice-Chairman
Laura Osiadacz and Commissioner Obie O’Brien.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Jeff Watson, Staff
Planner, Dan Carlson, Community Development Services Director;
Doc Hansen, Planning Official; and approximately 20 members of
the public.
SPECIAL MEETING IRON HORSE SOLAR FARM CUP CDS
At 6:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN JEWELL opened the Closed Record Hearing
continued from December 20, 2016 to consider the Hearing
Examiners recommendation on the Iron Horse Solar Farm
Conditional Use Permit (CU-15-00006). The Board members provided
disclosures and there were no objections or concerns expressed.
JEFF WATSON, STAFF PLANNER provided a Staff Report and reviewed
the research they conducted as previously requested by the Board
relating to noise, fencing, and a decommissioning plan. The
Board asked Staff questions and for additional clarification
relating to the proposed project.
COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ explained the additional research she did
within the WAC’s and County Code relating to the definition of
agricultural zones and utilities. She said there was nothing in
the application which would limit the applicant from having
another solar site located on his acreage and was concerned
about having nothing in place to protect the County. She
expressed the reasons why she would not be voting in favor of
the project. COMMISSIONER O’BRIEN referenced the County Code,
definitions, and preserving rural character. He said after
further research of the proposed project he felt it was not
compatible and did not meet the criteria for approval. CHAIRMAN
JEWELL said he read the entire record and even though he has
concerns with the project in the particular area, he felt the
County did not have cause, given the ability to apply
conditions, to deny the application at this time. He reviewed
the County’s compliance with the Growth Management Act;
Development Regulations; and the County Code. He said the
2017-01-10 MINUTES 2
Board’s decision could be appealed to Superior Court and they
would base their decision on relevant State Law and County Code,
not the Growth Management Act. He felt the applicant had
invested and followed the County’s rules as outlined in the
County Code and by denying the application it would be a
mistake, despite his concerns with the project in its proposed
location.
COMMISSIONER O’BRIEN moved to deny the Iron Horse Solar Farm
Conditional Use Permit (CU-15-0006) application. COMMISSIONER
OSIADACZ seconded. Motion carried to deny the Iron Horse Solar
Farm Conditional Use Permit (CU-15-0006) was approved by a vote
of 2-1. (Chairman Jewell opposed the motion to deny the
Conditional Use Permit).
COMMISSIONER JEWELL suggested placing a 60-day moratorium on
large scale solar farms, not specifically related to the
project. He said he had been contacted by the electrical
generation industry and they have been contacted by people in
the real estate market about future plans and regulations. He
has also been contacted by farmers who have been approached by
potential developers of solar farms. He said he’s not opposed to
solar facilities, but they haven’t been specifically considered
within the County Code at larger development levels. He
explained the Comprehensive Plan is currently under review for
2017 and the Planning Official has been engaged with some of the
groups in the community. He felt before there is a bunch of
applications he would like to consider regulating them which
would include the placements of them and to allow the community
to be engaged in the process.
COMMISSIONER O’BRIEN said he would be in support of a 60-day
moratorium in order to consider establishing criteria and to see
if it should be extended to a longer period.
COMMISSIONER O’BRIEN moved to enact a 60-day moratorium on solar
farms (large commercial structures only) and to direct Staff to
prepare enabling documents and to direct Staff to Set a Public
Hearing for a later date. COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ seconded. Motion
carried 3-0.
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The meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Chairman, Paul Jewell