HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-09-10-minutes-public-hearing-to-consider-proposed-solar-regulations-09/10/2018 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY 6:00 P.M. SEPTEMBER 10, 2018
Board members present: Chairman Laura Osiadacz and Vice-Chairman
Obie O’Brien and Commissioner Cory Wright.
Others: Lindsey Ozbolt, Planning Official; Neil Caulkins, Deputy
Prosecutor; Dusty Pilkington, Staff Planner; Dan Carlson, CDS
Director and approximately 20 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 Kittitas County Code including the Adoption of Solar
Power Production Facilities Development Regulations and Overlay Map.
DAN CARLSON, CDS DIRECTOR provided a Staff Report and reviewed the
background; authority and public notice; Comprehensive Plan;
Environmental Review; Agency and Public Comments; and Analysis and
Recommendations. He said the proposed regulations for siting of a
Solar Power Production Facilities would include adoption of a Solar
Power Production Facilities Overlay Map. The regulations would
include two solar overlay zones, permitting requirements, submittal
requirements, procedures, development standards, review criteria,
and abandonment and decommissioning requirements. The Board asked
questions of Staff and for clarification. LINDSEY OZBOLT, STAFF
PLANNER answered questions from the Board and provided additional
information for their consideration.
THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: RON SLATER said he had been looking
forward to 3 zones with Zone 3 being outright permitted. JEFF
DUNNING expressed concerns with the word “harvesting” and suggested
changing it to “converting” for consistency and to avoid confusion.
RACHAEL DONAHUE, HEELSTONE ENERGY felt the proposed draft provided a
good balance. DICK CARKNER, SAVE OUR FARMS submitted information
into the record. He said they were concerned with the precedent
being set by the State Energy Facilities Siting Evaluation Council
and that TUUSSO’s project did not meet the standards set by the
State Environmental Policy Act. MARLENE PFEIFER felt there was
urgency for the Board to take action because of the EFSEC decision.
She encouraged adding Zone 3 back if possible. KAREN POULSEN made
comments on definition language relating to harvesting and should be
consistent with converting, as well as water rights. KATHI PRICHARD
felt it was urgent for the Board to take action and how it was
essential to have guidelines in place for our community in order to
preserve farming. THERE BEING NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE
PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED.
09/10/2018 MINUTES 2
The Board of County Commissioners reviewed portions of the proposed
language and recommended changes. The Board expressed their
appreciation to County Staff and citizens who helped work on
developing the proposal.
COMMISSIONER O’BRIEN moved to direct Staff to prepare enabling
documents representative of the Boards discussion and summary of
suggested changes. COMMISSIONER WRIGHT seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Laura Osiadacz, Chairman