HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-13-minutes-cds-study-sessionKITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CDS Study Session
Regular Meeting
Monday February 13, 2017 -1:30 PM
Commissioners' Auditorium
205 West 5th Room 109 - Ellensburg
1. Call to Order
2. Discussion of Timeline Options for Comprehensive Plan Update
3. Other business
4. Adjourn
Created on 2/7/2017 12:28:52 PM
CPSC%DES TO TyE.Co< KITTITAS COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
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CDS STUDY SESSION MINUTES
February 13, 2017
THOSE PRESENT: Obie O'Brien, Paul Jewell (BOCC) Dan Carlson, Doc Hansen (CDS) Luke Huck, Kathy
Jurgens, Candie Leader (PW), Neil Caulkins (PA)
GUESTS PRESENT: Ian Elliot
Discussion of Timeline Options for Comprehensive Plan Update:
Dan stated that per RCW 36.70A.130 the County has until June 30t1i of this year to update its Comprehensive Plan. Staff had
been working under the assumption that an extension could be requested under the salve RCW. The week before last Doc
Hansen spoke with the Department of Commerce about the extension request and found out that under the same RCW in
order to be eligible for the extension the County has to have a population less than 50,000 and have its population increase by
than no more than 17% in the ten years proceeding. We are less than 50,000 but according to the last numbers we are close
to the 17%. Commissioner Jewell inquired as to how close we are to the 17% and Dan responded 16.87%. The next
numbers won't come out from the OFM until May which is up against the deadline. Doc stated that he sent an email last
week showing two different timelines. The first one went out through December to January 2018. The purpose of that was
because of the loss of staff last year and the inability to fill those positions. Staff was still maintaining the timeline until the
consultant left. Currently, the Department has interviewed for those positions and for a new consultant. The second timeline
option would actually meet the deadline at a rapid pace. Doc suggested drafting a letter, right away, to the advisory
committee and see if they could meet twice in March, April and have them involved all the way through May while we are
going through the process with the Planning Commission. At the end of April we'd be looking at a joint meeting with the
BOCC and the Planning Commission like we did with the compliance effort. In the middle of May the proposal would go
before the Planning Commission and get a recommendation from thein by the first part of June. This would allow the BOCC
the month of June to come up with a plan. It's Doc's recommendation to move towards the June 30t11 deadline and if staff has
to go over then it would only be the time period it takes to adopt the plan or revise the plan that we would be non-compliant
during that period and would be working with the Department of Commerce. Commissioner Jewell added that the latest
compliance effort was just completed in 2014 and that most of that shouldn't need to be changed. He stated that the housing
element, transportation element and the critical area ordinance are the most important. Discussion was held.
Commissioner Jewell inquired as to the ramifications for not getting the update done on time and assuming we do not get an
extension. Doc stated that two years ago we were eligible for a Fire Hazards Grant. The county had been deemed compliant
by the hearing's board and one of the criteria for that grant to even be considered for the grant was being compliant with the
Comprehensive Plan. Doc believes that there shouldn't be much because we are indeed trying to meet the goal and if we
continue to show progress. We may need to change a few things in the office as far as workloads go. Dan added to Doc's
statement that they would reassign some of Doc's current planning work to himself and the current level of service would be
the same and Doc's focus would be on the update. Discussion was held.
Luke added that Public Works would have some ramifications as well with the accelerated timeline. Staff was waiting for
the City of Ellensburg to complete their update so the County's would have their projections and how it would affect county
roads with the city roads. Public Works will get with our Consultant to get going on the update. Luke expressed concerns
about any grant funding and/or opportunities being affected by missing the June 30`h deadline. Discussion was held.
Board Direction: Move ahead with the accelerated timeline to have the update accomplished by the June 3 01 deadline and
apply for an extension.
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Dan Carlson, Director Paul Jewell, Chairman
COMMUNITY PLANNING • BUILDING INSPECTION • PLAN REVIEW • ADMINISTRATION • PERMIT SERVICES • CODE ENFORCEMENT