HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-09-minutes-public-hearing-proposed-temporary-moratorium-on-applications-for-major-alternative-energy-systems03/09/2017 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
COMMISSIONERS AUDITORIUM
SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY 6:00 P.M. MARCH 9, 2017
Board members present: Chairman Paul Jewell; Vice-Chairman Laura
Osiadacz; and Commissioner Obie O’Brien.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Dan Carlson, CDS
Director; Doc Hansen, Planning Official and approximately 30 members
of the public.
PUBLIC HEARING MORATORIUM MAJOR ENERGY SYSTEMS CDS
At 6:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN JEWELL opened a Public Hearing to consider
issuing a six-month moratorium on applications for proposed major
alternative energy systems until an update on the Comprehensive Plan
is approved.
COMMISSIONER O’BRIEN noted the Board had met with representatives
from Puget Sound Energy on the technical issues relating to solar
farms. CHAIRMAN JEWELL noted the matter in front of the Board was a
legislative matter and not site specific.
DAN CARLSON, CDS DIRECTOR provided a Staff Report and recommended
the Board approve a six-month moratorium until July 10, 2017 to
allow for further review as authorized by RCW from January 10, 2017.
THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: LEE BATES said he was in favor of the
proposed six-month moratorium. He reviewed wind energy versus solar
energy and the amount of electricity that is generated. HOWARD
LYMON recommended not approving the proposed moratorium. He reviewed
reasons why he felt solar and alternative energy was the way of the
future, as well as in the best interest of the public. He submitted
a petition into the record from Environment Washington, opposing a
proposed moratorium. JEFF BRUNSON testified against the proposed
moratorium. He didn’t feel solar farms would hurt the rural
character. He thought it was a good alternative for landowners on
ways to use their land. STAN BLAZYNSKI provided information into the
record for the Board’s consideration with numbers relating to
alternative energy. MICHAEL BLUE expressed concerns with continuing
the moratorium and the negative economic impacts it could have for
landowners. RICHARD GALLAGHER said things are changing and spoke of
the pollution from vehicles, carbon dioxide and wants the land to
prosper. He encouraged saving the planet and save the earth. EMILY
JACOBS provided information on eco-systems and how diversity is
important. She said she was confused by choosing one form of energy
over another and use both wind and solar and spoke against the
03/09/2017 MINUTES 2
proposed moratorium. RYAN WILLIAMS reviewed Initiative 937 which was
approved in November 2006. He said there was nothing in code that
prohibits solar farms in Kittitas County. He was against a
moratorium and encouraged the Board to abandon the idea. ERIN
ANDERSON opposed the proposed moratorium and said solar power
warrants support in the County. She felt solar power was a benefit
to citizens and land owners should be able to utilize their land.
She encouraged the Board to look at an overlay zone and identify
substations. DOUG DICKENS didn’t understand why the Board would
delay solar farms and felt land owners should be able to put them on
their property if they chose. He said solar and wind energy is the
future whether people like it or not and didn’t feel it should be
held up as it’s beneficial for the citizens. PATTY CLERF,
REPRESENTING HERSELF AND SAVE OUR FARMS explained how farmlands are
a critical resource which needs to be protected. She encouraged the
Board to continue the moratorium for 6-months to allow citizens to
come together for a proposed overlay which could be functional for
everyone involved. THERE BEING NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE
PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED.
COMMISSIONER O’BRIEN moved to set a six-month moratorium on major
alternative energy systems in order to develop policy and explore
all other issues involved. COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ seconded.
COMMISSIONER O’BRIEN expressed concerns relating to making a long
term decision and having affects to the rural character. He said the
County has gone through a long, expensive process to protect the
rural character by GMA and didn’t believe there would be any
hardship done with the moratorium. COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ expressed
support of a six month moratorium. She said it does not mean there
is no possibility of solar facilities in the future, but she would
like to invest in researching locations where they would be
beneficial to all stakeholders including businesses, landowners &
citizens. She stated agriculture lands were also clean energy farms
and there is a need to protect them as well.
DOC HANSEN, PLANNING OFFICIAL AND DAN CARLSON, CDS DIRECTOR provided
the review process that they would be going through if the six-month
moratorium was approved by the Board of Commissioners. They also
reviewed the work that’s already been conducted.
CHAIRMAN JEWELL said he has talked with people relating to potential
developments and doesn’t believe the code contemplated that type of
impact. He supports solar energy development but it’s a question of
where and how it’s done. He said he is also concerned with 5
separate developments that have filed with EFSEC and could continue
regardless if moratorium or development regulations are in place. He
said there were risks however he believed it was important to take a
step back and have meaningful discussion with the community on
locations and to ensure there are minimal impacts to the rural
03/09/2017 MINUTES 3
character and agriculture lands. He expressed his support of
property rights as well and said it was not an easy decision for
anyone.
Motion carried 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Paul Jewell, Chairman