HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-03-minutes-public-hearing11/03/2021 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON WEBEX SPECIAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY 6:00 P.M. NOVEMBER 3, 2021
Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith; Vice-Chairman Laura
Osiadacz; and Commissioner Cory Wright.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Dan Carlson, CDS
Director; Mandy Buchholz, Administrative Supervisor; Jeremy
Johnston, Planning Official; Dan Nickel, Consultant; Carly
Brettmann, Communications Director; Kelly Bacon, Staff Planner; Neil
Caulkins, Deputy Prosecutor; Jeramiah Cromie, Staff Planner; and
approximately 12 members of the public.
Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 20-28 et seq., the public was
encouraged to join the meeting virtually.
PUBLIC HEARING CRITICAL AREAS CDS
At 6:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing to consider
the 2021 Kittitas County Critical Area’s Ordinance.
JEREMY JOHNSTON, PLANNING OFFICIAL reviewed a Staff Report. He said
the Washington State Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A) requires all
jurisdictions to adopt and maintain a critical areas policy which
includes most current information and data. He reviewed the
background on the update process; Staff review and summary of
proposed amendments; environmental review; agency and public
comments; takings impact analysis, and Planning Commission
recommendations. NEIL CAULKINS, DEPUTY PROSECUTOR answered questions
from the Board. GREG JOHNSTON, CONSULTANT provided information
including the RMZ widths under the Forest Practices Act. ELIZABETH TORREY, DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE provided information and the
benefits on riparian eco-systems and maintaining habitat types.
THOSE REQUESTING TO TESTIFY: ELIZABETH TORREY, DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE recommended approval of the proposal and encouraged the
Board to adopt the Critical Ordinance. She said the riparian
guidelines were the best available science and they were supportive
of buffer averaging for property owners in order to utilize their
lands and protect critical areas. GARY GRAFF, REGIONAL SECTION MANAGER FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY, spoke of interest in wetlands
and impacts. He said they’ve looked at the documents are supportive
of what they’ve done as well as Staff’s recommendations. JOHN MARVIN, YAKAMA NATION DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES noted they had
previously provided comments to the County. RYAN ROCKHILL provided
information on how he felt his property would be affected in a
11/03/2021 MINUTES 2
significant manner. He compared neighboring counties and said he was
disappointed in the lack of public in attendance, including at the
Planning Commission level. SHONA VOELKERS ATTORNEY FOR YAKAMA NATIONS noted their comments were previously submitted into the
record. THERE BEING NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED. VICE-CHAIRMAN OSIADACZ moved to approve the 2021 Kittitas County
Critical Area’s Ordinance, including amendments and direct Staff to
prepare enabling documents. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH seconded.
CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH expressed his appreciation to Staff for their
hard work and outreach throughout the process.
COMMISSIONER WRIGHT recognized the Planning Commission for their
hard work and said it was a large document to review.
Motion carried 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Brett Wachsmith, Chairman