HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-10-minutes-public-hearing-moratorium-on-solar-projects-07/10/2017 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
COMMISSIONERS AUDITORIUM
SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY 6:00 P.M. JULY 10, 2017
Board members present: Chairman Paul Jewell and Vice-Chairman Laura
Osiadacz. Excused: Commissioner Obie O’Brien.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Dan Carlson, CDS
Director; Dusty Pilkington, Staff Planner and approximately 20
members of the public.
PUBLIC HEARING SOLAR PROJECT MORATORIUM EXTENSION CDS
At 6:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN JEWELL opened a Public Hearing to consider an
extension of a moratorium on solar projects that qualify as major
alternative energy systems.
DAN CARLSON, CDS DIRECTOR provided a Staff Report on consideration
of continuing a moratorium on solar projects that qualify as major
alternative energy systems including the background, proposed work
plan, analysis and recommendation. He said the work plan was
developed for adopting standards and/or criteria within one year of
placement of the moratorium. The Plan also included the formation
of a Citizen Advisory Committee; Inventory, Studies, Analysis;
Community Open Houses; Public Review and Comments on Draft
Regulations; a Hearing by the Planning Commission; SEPA; and a
Public Hearing and decision by the Board of County Commissioners. It
was noted they hoped to get the process completed by the end of
2017.
THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: PAT CLERF read testimony into the
record from Patricia Clerf encouraging the Board to extend the
moratorium in hopes to prevent developers from applying to EFSEC.
She thought additional time was needed to allow the County to find
more appropriate locations for the industrial, utility solar
projects. JEFF DUNNING submitted written comments into the record
and felt a countywide moratorium toward solar development on all
lands seemed somewhat drastic considering what brought it about
which was a proposed small solar project in irrigated agricultural
land, and the opposition seems to be largely based on aesthetics.
JENNIFER NELSON, WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE submitted
a letter into the record, noting they neither support or oppose the
solar projects, but would like to provide general guidance to avoid
or minimize impacts to fish and wildlife habitats from solar energy
development. They hoped that a representative could be to be a part
of the Citizens Advisory Committee. JAMES CARKNER said he was in
favor of solar projects as a taxpayer but opposed placing them on
07/10/2017 MINUTES 2
farmlands. He felt placing solar projects in sage brush areas would
be a better fit rather than agricultural lands. KAREN POULSEN said
she owns property near the 2 proposed solar projects. She spoke in
favor of extending the moratorium to allow for further review and to
set up ground rules for siting and other criteria. STAN BLAZYNSKI
submitted information into the record including excerpts from
Wikipedia relating to the largest German photovoltaic power
stations. He recommended extending the moratorium. MARY MORGAN
expressed concerns relating to the placement of large solar projects
on farmlands. She explained how the land is completely sterilized
when solar projects are put in place and suggested coming up with
ideas for appropriate placement of the projects. TONI SNOWDEN read a
letter into the record on behalf of Mary Clerf-Christianson who
supported an extension of the moratorium. Ms. Snowden felt it was
taking farmlands away and felt the County should not rush into
making any quick decisions and take the necessary time to do the
appropriate research. DARCY POULSEN spoke in opposition of placing
large solar projects in commercial agricultural lands. She felt
those types of properties were a dying resource and needed to be
protected. THERE BEING NO OTHERS TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF
THE HEARING WAS CLOSED.
MR. CARLSON indicated if the Board was to approve extending the
moratorium, their decision would be effective today and they could
provide enabling documents on the next Agenda for their approval.
COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ moved to extend the moratorium on solar
projects that qualify as major alternative energy systems and to
direct Staff to prepare enabling documents. CHAIRMAN JEWELL
seconded.
COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ felt additional time was needed to review the
issue through the Citizens Advisory Committee and to research where
it makes the most sense to allow the placement of projects in the
future. CHAIRMAN JEWELL said he was also in favor of taking
additional time to work through all of the issues by a Citizens
Advisory Group. He felt the work plan was well put together. He
encouraged everyone from both sides of the issue to apply to be a
part of the Advisory Committee.
Motion carried 2-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Paul Jewell, Chairman