HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-06-25-minutes-public-hearing-solar-moratorium06/25/2018 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
KITTITAS COUNTY EVENT CENTER
ARMORY HALL
901 EAST 7TH AVENUE ELLENSBURG, WA
SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY 6:00 P.M. JUNE 25, 2018
Board members present: Chairman Laura Osiadacz; Vice-Chairman Obie
O’Brien and Commissioner Paul Jewell.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Lindsey Ozbolt, Planning
Official; Dan Carlson, CDS Director; Chelsea Benner, Staff Planner;
Dusty Pilkington, Staff Planner; Neil Caulkins, Deputy Prosecutor;
Jeremy Johnston, Staff Planner; and approximately 25 members of the
public.
PUBLIC HEARING SOLAR POWER PRODUCTION FACILITIES CDS
At 6:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN OSIADACZ opened a Public Hearing to consider
Amendments to the Kittitas County Code, Adoption of Solar Power
Production Facilities Development Regulations and Overlay Map, as
well as Amendments to Maximum Lot Coverage Standards in Urban Growth
Areas. The Commissioners would also consider whether or not to
extend the current moratorium on accepting applications for solar
facilities that qualify as Major Alternative Energy Facilities per
Kittitas County Code.
DAN CARLSON, CDS DIRECTOR provided a Staff Report on the proposed
amendments along with the background; authority and public notice;
Comprehensive Plan; environmental review; agency and public
comments; analysis and recommendation.
LINDSEY OZBOLT, PLANNING OFFICIAL reviewed a proposed new section of
the County Code relating to the maximum lot coverage.
THERE BEING NO ONE IN ATTENDANCE REQUESTING TO TESTIFY RELATING TO
THE MAXIMUM LOT COVERAGE IN THE URBAN GROWTH AREAS, THAT PORTION OF
THE HEARING WAS CLOSED.
COMMISSIONER O’BRIEN moved to approve the Maximum Lot Coverages as,
as recommended. COMMISSIONER JEWELL seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
MR. CARLSON said the current moratorium was set to expire on July
10, 2018. He reported on how the Solar Advisory Committee has held
many meetings including an Open House so they could hear citizen’s
comments and concerns. He reviewed the committee’s proposed
amendments relating to Solar Power Production Facilities Development
06/25/2018 MINUTES 2
Regulations and Overlay Map. The Board asked questions of Staff
relating to various topics relating to the proposed amendments.
THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: RON SLATER said he was representing 400
acres in Zone 3. He said he had lost all of the water and his
property is now non-irrigated and non-producing land and no longer
worth anything at this point. He felt solar would be a perfect fit
in those types of areas. DICK CARKNER representing Save Our Farms
described why agriculture was important to Kittitas County and
included the economic and cultural benefits. He urged the Board to
adopt the regulations that had been forwarded by the Planning
Commission. JEFF DUNNING spoke of how 95% of water rights were not
held by the landowners. JP ROAN felt there was no consistency in the
math and how his place is in Zone 1 and goes up to Zone 3. He didn’t
agree with limiting eligibility. MARLENE PFEIFER addressed property
rights and the argument of how people should be able to use their
land. She felt the amendments should be consistent with the
regulations and recommended going with the Planning Commission’s
recommendation. JIM NELSON said their ranch should be designated as
Zone 3 and not Zone 1 and explained the reasons why. LOGAN CRAIG,
CYPRESS CREEK RENEWABLES provided comments and concerns on the
recommendations of the proposed amendments. KATIE HEATH,
REPRESENTING HEELSTONE ENERGY said they have been looking at
development in Kittitas County and they have listened to the
community and agreed with concerns relating to clarity of the
overlay map and footprint which could potentially leave the door
open for issues later. RACHEL DONAHUE, HEELSTONE ENERGY thanked the
Board for their consideration of the proposal and said they are
looking forward to bringing solar to Kittitas County and working
with the community. CHAD UNLAND, WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES said they previously submitted comments and some
of the parcels that are owned by the State were improperly
categorized in a few of the zones. KAREN POULSON expressed her
concerns and urged the Board to try and accommodate all landowner’s
rights. PETER NESBIT felt consistency was extremely important when
it comes to land use and how retail development in the solar world
is changing. COLLEEN DONOVAN supported an aggressive ban on locating
commercial solar on prime farmlands and urged the Board to protect
them. STEFANIE WICKSTROM commented on how Ag-lands are what produces
food and the County needs to be careful as those prime lands are
very valuable and the Board is setting precedence for the future.
JIM THORTON, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT reminded everyone that there’s
a SEPA process with projects and at that time there would be a
determination of any impacts. THERE BEING NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO
TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED.
COMMISSIONER JEWELL said it was not an easy issue as they are trying
to protect irrigated and other valuable farm lands. He was concerned
with their simplistic approach and there were many things that
needed to be looked at again and redrawn based on both irrigated and
06/25/2018 MINUTES 3
non-irrigated Ag-lands. He was supportive of the idea of having
irrigated and other prime farm lands to not be allowed to have solar
facilities placed on them. He felt the map needed a lot of work &
better definition of footprint. COMMISSIONER O’BRIEN acknowledged
how Staff & GIS who were committed to doing their job and there may
be too much to generate one map to cover everything. He said he
would be in favor of a Conditional Use Permit in Zone 1, and
possibly have Zone 2 and Zone 3 as an Administrative CUP. CHAIRMAN
OSIADACZ said it had been interesting going through the process and
how their decision will shape the future of Kittitas County and the
importance of protecting the limited and valuable farm lands. She
spoke of past dealings with EFSEC and the County’s been disappointed
with their decisions and feels it’s important the County is clear
when writing their Codes so they are aware of the direction in which
the County is planning and conditions that can be relied upon.
The Board asked Staff to bring back a map and changes according to
their direction. MR. CARLSON did not believe they could accomplish
what the Board was asking for by July 10th and urged them to extend
the moratorium to allow for additional time to make the changes.
COMMISSIONER JEWELL moved to extend the moratorium for 6 months and
instruct Staff to provide review of the proposed amendments and
draft an Ordinance to bring back to the Board as quickly as
possible. COMMISSIONER O’BRIEN seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
The Board of County Commissioners thanked everyone for being part of
the process.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Laura Osiadacz, Chairman