HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution_Elk Meadows_LandUse MoratoriumKITTITAS COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
2023 AGENDA STAFF REPORT
AGENDA DATE: May 16, 2023
ACTION REQUESTED: Request to Approve a Resolution to Enact a Moratorium on
Land Use Development for any parcel in the Elk Meadows
Community that Relies on the McElroy Bridge for Access.
BACKGROUND: Kittitas County provided authorization to temporarily
reinstall and use the private McElroy Road Bridge, which
collapsed in December 2021. Public Works is working
with Elk Meadows to identify a preferred alternative to
managing ongoing use of the bridge. Recognizing the risk
that parcels may lose property access, (depending on the
selected bridge alternative) Public Works recommends a
six-month land use and building permit application
moratorium be enacted, pursuant to Revised Code of
Washington (RCW) Chapter 36.70A.390. A public hearing
will be required within 60 days of the moratorium's
enactment. Public Works will return to the Board at a
future study session defining public hearing requirements.
INTERACTION: Public Works.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve a Resolution to Enact a Moratorium on Land Use
Development for any parcel in the Elk Meadows
Community that Relies on the McElroy Bridge for Access
for up to a six-month period as bridge alternatives are
evaluated.
HANDLING: Return one original to Public Works.
ATTACHMENTS: Resolution.
LEAD STAFF: Mark Cook, Public Works Director.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF KITTITAS
STATE OF WASHINGTON
Resolution No. 2023
ENACTING A MORATORIUM ON LAND USE DEVELOPMENT FOR ANY PARCEL
IN THE ELK MEADOWS COMMUNITY THAT RELIES ON THE MCELROY
BRIDGE FOR ACCESS
WHEREAS: Elk Meadows is a residential community located in Cle Elum WA that is served by
the Elk Meadows Homeowners Association; and
WHEREAS: some of the residences in the community are accessed via the McElroy Road
Bridge; and
WHEREAS: on December 13, 2021, the McElroy Road Bridge collapsed during a high flow
event causing a garbage truck to fall into the Yakima River; and
WHEREAS: local and state authorizations (including Washington State Department of Fish and
Wildlife (WDFW)) were granted to re -install the bridge for temporary use with the stipulation
that a permanent replacement structure would follow; and
WHEREAS: the Kittitas County Flood Permit conditioned the final fate of the bridge on the
pending Easton Reach of the Yakima River Flood Hazard Study; and
WHEREAS: the flood hazard hydraulic analysis reveals that imposing state and local standards
will be onerous and costly, with estimates nearing $5 million dollars; and
WHEREAS: it is unknown at this time whether a replacement bridge can or will be built; and
WHEREAS: without a replacement bridge, existing landowners will not have access to their
property, nor will any potential future buyers; and
WHEREAS: given the status of uncertainty regarding bridge feasibility, the County believes it
prudent to stop future land use development pending a final decision on the fate of the bridge;
and
WHEREAS: RCW 36.70A.390 allows adoption of a moratorium on land use activities for sixty
(60) days without holding a public hearing; and
WHEREAS: public hearing must be held within sixty (60) days of the moratorium's enactment
and findings of fact must be made to support the action. A moratorium may last six (6) months
and be extended for up to one (1) year when accompanied by a work plan for moratorium
research; and
WHEREAS: the Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners finds the need for such
moratorium during the bridge feasibility analysis.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that all applications for land use development not
be accepted for at least six months from May 16, 2023, or until a permit for a replacement bridge
has been issued.
ADOPTED this 16th day of May 2023.
Attest:
❑ Clerk of the Board- Julie Kjorsvik
❑ Deputy Clerk of the Board- Mandy Buchholz
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Cory Wright, Chairman
Brett Wachsmith, Vice -Chairman
Laura Osiadacz, Commissioner