HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-06-minutes-200pm-public-hearing06/06/2023 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
AUDITORIUM
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY 2:00 P.M. JUNE 6, 2023
Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright; Vice-Chairman Brett
Wachsmith; and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Kate Jimenez,
Administrative Assistant; Mark Cook, Public Works Director/Interim
Community Development Services Director; Zach Torrance-Smith; Jamey
Ayling, Planning Manager; Mandy Buchholz, Office Administrator; Josh
Frederickson, Engineer; and 3 members of the public.
PUBLIC HEARING INTERNATIONAL BLDG CODE CDS
At 2:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT opened a Public Hearing to consider
Amending Kittitas County Code Chapter 14.04 and Title 20 and to
Adopt the 2021 International Building Codes with Washington State
Amendments.
JEREMY LARSON, BUILDING OFFICIAL, explained they received
information on the delay of Code Implementation until October 29,
2023, and requested the Board to take no action and close the Public
Hearing.
There was no action taken and the Public Hearing was closed.
PUBLIC HEARING DEPT FISH & WILDLIFE PUBLIC WORKS
At 2:01 p.m. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT opened a Public Hearing continued from
May 2, 2023, to consider a Franchise Application for a Wildlife
Fence with the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife in the
vicinity of Stevens Road, Ellensburg. He noted the record was open.
MARK COOK, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/INTERIM CDS DIRECTOR, provided a
Staff Report and explained how the Department of Fish & Wildlife has
requested a fence for Elk in the County Right of Way to keep them
from migrating onto I-90. He said the State legal team as well as
the Prosecutor’s office has reviewed and signed the document.
THERE BEING NO ONE REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE
HEARING WAS CLOSED.
VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH moved to approve the Non-Exclusive Fence
Franchise with the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife,
to use County Right-of-Way within Kittitas County, Franchise
Agreement. COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
06/06/2023 MINUTES 2
PUBLIC HEARING SPEED LIMIT – THOMAS ROAD PUBLIC WORKS
At 2:03 p.m. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT opened a Public Hearing to consider a
Speed Reduction on Thomas Road and to Amend Kittitas County Code
Chapter 10.08.025 Speed Limits.
JOSH FREDERICKSON, ENGINEER, reviewed a Staff Report, including the
background, fiscal impacts, and recommendation to reduce the speed
from 50 MPH to 40 MPH on Thomas Road from Wilson Creek Road (MP
0.00) to Naneum Road (MP 1.51).
THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: BEN KOKJER, KITTITAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S
OFFICE said for consistency purposes they recommended consideration
of a speed limit of 35 MPH to make it easier for motoring public,
and that would also allow for side-by-sides. CINDY KEEBLE said she
appreciated the Public Works Department’s speed study and requested
the Board to lower the speed limit on Thomas Road to 35 MPH. She
noted how she’d spoken to 80% of the neighboring property owners and
they all agreed with the speed reduction as well. TAMERA SCHAUT
explained how she cannot ride her horse on the road due to the high
rate of speed, blind spots, and curves. She asked the Board to
approve lowering the speed limit. PATRICK BUFI said where he lives
nearby, his neighborhood is posted at 25 MPH and was in favor of
lowering it in that area as well. LINDSEY BOISSO said she walks on
Thomas Road daily and people don’t move over or slow down and it can
be dangerous. She said there’s been a significant amount of traffic
increased since the Naneum bridge went out. PAT KELLEHER expressed
concerns with the County website and the notification link wasn’t
available with proposed documents. He felt County roads should not
be below 50 MPH and if there are issues near the curves, then signs
should be put in place to reduce the speed at those points. ARTHUR
KUEBLE commented in favor of the request to lower the speed limit on
Thomas Road. THERE BEING NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC
PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED.
ORDINANCE 2023-004 SPEED LIMIT – THOMAS ROAD PUBLIC WORKS
VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH moved to approve Ordinance No. 2023-004,
Establishment of a Speed Zone and the Placement of Speed Limit Signs
on Thomas Road and Amending Section 10.08.020, Speed Limit of the
Kittitas County Code. COMMISIONER OSIADACZ seconded.
COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ said the recommendation was based on science
and although it was recommended to be lowered to 40 MPH, the
discussion of ATVs, and lowering it to 35 MPH should not make people
angry. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT said the data supports the request and would
be voting in favor of the motion.
06/06/2023 MINUTES 3
Motion carried 3-0.
PUBLIC HEARING NON-DOCKET AMENDMENTS CDS
At approximately 2:28 p.m. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT opened a Public Hearing
to consider Non-Docket Amendments to Kittitas County Code Titles 8,
12, and 17.
JAMEY AYLING, PLANNING MANAGER, reviewed a Staff Report regarding
the 2023 Non-Docket Code Amendments including:
DOCKET ITEM 1: Proposed amendments to Title 9 Parks to include
adding Impact Fees for Parks and properties located within the City
of Ellensburg Urban Growth Area. The amendment would bring Kittitas
County into compliance with the adopted Interlocal Agreement. He
said the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the
amendment.
DOCKET ITEM 2: Proposed amendments to Title 12 Roads and Bridges.
Staff recommended revising the current road standards for the
properties in the UGA of Ellensburg to facilitate the orderly
transition of urban services from the County to the City throughout
the UGA. The generalized Interlocal Agreement will implement
uniform and consistent urban development standards in order to
further the transition of the UGA to urban service levels. The
Planning Commission unanimously recommended remanding Title 12
amendments to Staff for revisions.
DOCKET ITEM 3: Proposed amendment to Title 17.11 Urban Growth Area,
removing the effective date of June 30, 2023, reference and removing
the notice and opportunity to comment section from the applicability
Title 17.11.033. The Planning Commission recommended approval of
the amendment as proposed.
DOCKET ITEM 4: Proposed amendment was to amend Title 17.22 Urban
Residential Zone, removing reference to the properties not subject
to the Interlocal Agreement in order to remain consistent with the
City of Ellensburg standards intended with adoption of the ILA. It
would also clarify the minimum lot size for single family dwellings
in the UR zone. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the
amendment as proposed.
THERE BEING NO ONE REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE
HEARING WAS CLOSED.
VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH moved to approve Docket Items 1 through 4
Brett moved to approve Docket Items 1 – 4 and direct Staff to
prepare enabling documents. COMMISSIONER OSIDADACZ seconded. Motion
carried 3-0.
06/06/2023 MINUTES 4
The meeting was concluded at 2:36 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Chairman Cory Wright