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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-26-minutes-public-works-study-sessionKITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Public Works Study Session Regular Meeting Monday June 26, 2023 -1:30 PM Commissioners' Auditorium 205 West 5th Room 109 - Ellensburg 1. Call to Order 2. Citizen Comments (1 min. time limit) 3. Public Facility District Update 4. Thorp Mill Feasibility Report 5. State Auditor Performance Audit Update 6. King County Subarea Plan for Snoqualmie Pass 7. Kittitas County Road Standards 8. Other Business - No Action to be taken 9. Concluded Created on 6/22/2023 11:40:58 AM KITTITAS COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS STUDY SESSION MINUTES COMMISSIONERS' AUDITORIUM, 205 WEST 5TH ROOM 109 Regular Meeting MONDAY 1:30 PM June 26, 2023 Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz. Others: Mark Cook, Josh Fredrickson, Rebecca Cruse, Public Works; Jessica Miller, Jeremy Larson, Jamey Ayling, Zach Torrance -Smith, Community Development Services; Neil Caulkins, Prosecuting Attorney's Office; 8 members of the public. At 1:30 PM Chairman Cory Wright opened the Public Works Study Session. No Citizen Comments. PUBLIC FACILITY DISTRICT UPDATE Mark Cook briefed the Board of County Commissioners on the results of efforts to identify a revenue stream for funding Upper Kittitas County Recreation Center. Sufficient bond funding could come from an area encompassing Upper County School District boundaries. Mark Cook stated a 2/10 of 1% sales and use tax could support operation costs. Direction was given to discuss with Non -Profit a funding plan for offsetting operation costs. Questions pursued. Claire Nichols, UKCRC Representative, stated that the group does have a report drafted with potential fees and a forecast of operation costs for the recreation center. The Board was supportive of the efforts of Staff. THORP MILL FEASIBILTY REPORT Mark Cook briefed the Board of County Commissioners on a feasibility study completed for bathroom facilities at the Thorp Mill. Estimated cost to build, secure the water supply and install wastewater treatment is approximately $400,000 and additional funding through Lodging Tax could help keep the museum operational. Richard Mack, Thorp Mill Board Member, stated the mill site encompasses approximately 20 acres and if desired could have potential for RV and camp areas. Richard Mack believes the property may have access to the Town of Thorp's water supply. Question pursued. Dan Leavitt, President of Thorp Mill Board stated he has seen a decline in interest by the community, the Thorp Mill Board recently sent out 400 letters to area residents and received one response. Currently, to maintain open hours they partner with Central Washington University and get assistance from Museum Studies Students each season from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Direction was given by the Board to prepare a funding packet for consideration. 2023-6-26 MINUTES STATE AUDITOR PERFORMANCE AUDIT UPDATE Mark Cook stated that CDS and Public Works have been supporting a State Permitting Performance review. Staff have now received notice that the State Auditor received transmittal of data collected and should receive response from the State Auditor in a few months. KING COUNTY SUBAREA PLAN FOR SNOQUALMIE PASS Mark Cook briefed the Board of County Commissioners on recent meetings at Snoqualmie Pass with King County Staff. Mark Cook reviewed King County's Subarea Plan and Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan. Questions pursued. Mark Cook stated that King County Subarea plan is an attempt to plan all King County Rural areas and may not align with addressing specific issues unique to the area such as water and waste capacity and the limitation to growth. Recognition was made that the Board of County Commissioners have supported infrastructure at Snoqualmie Pass including upgrades to Snoqualmie Pass Utility District (SPUD). The Board asked Staff to work on messaging to engage stakeholders. KITTITAS COUNTY ROAD STANDARDS Josh Fredrickson stated Public Works Staff and a Review Committee have worked on updating Title 12 Roads & Bridges chapter of County Code. Josh Fredrickson stated this is the first comprehensive approach in 18 years and a successful collaboration between Departments and Developers to make necessary changes. OTHER BUSINESS- BOARD OF EQUALIZATION UPDATE Mark Cook gave an update to the Board of County Commissioners on Board of Equalizations and efforts to delineate qualifications for an appointed hearing examiner. Neil Caulkins affirmed that a hearing examiner with an appraisal background would be applicable. Staff will prepare further information for a future meeting and board direction. OTHER BUSINESS- CDS BRIEFING SCHEDULE Mark Cook requested the Board of County Commissioners to consider Community Development Services returning to a schedule of multiple study sessions per month. The Board is in favor and directed staff to prepare code changes for further consideration. Meeting concluded at 2:16 PM 2023-6-26 MINUTES Rebecca Cruse, Administrative Assistant 2023-6-26 MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Cory Wright, Chairman KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2023 STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: June 26, 2023 TOPIC: Public Facility District Update ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook RECOMMENDATION: Continue working with the Upper Kittitas County Recreation Center Alliance (UKCRCA) identifying revenue streams meeting projected maintenance and operations funding requirements. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Public Works (PW) has evaluated two possible revenue streams addressing anticipated operations and maintenance (O&M) needs for the Upper Kittitas County Recreation Center. • Imposing a 2/10ths of one percent sales and use tax does appear to generate significant revenue addressing O&M needs. • Utilizing existing county lodging tax appears to easily offset anticipated O&M costs. • Additional work is required with UKCRCA vetting additional revenue sources allowed by the public facility statue at RCW 36.100. BACKGROUND: For the past several months, PW has been conducting an initial feasibility study for the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) seeking to vet the viability of creating a Public Facility District in the county. Staff has confirmed sufficient general obligation bonding authority exists in an area encompassing the Cle Elum, Roslyn, and Easton School District boundaries — for the initial bond funding of the UKCRC. DISCUSSION: Efforts now shift to verifying sufficient revenue streams offsetting anticipated ongoing recreation center O&M costs (estimated a $1 million per year). Department of Commerce sales tax data confirms approximately $10 million in annual rural county revenue. Using one percent (conservative) as the County's allocated sales tax revenue from the state, the resulting gross amount of 2022 sales tax revenue is estimated at $1,000,000,000. The 2/10ths would come directly to the county resulting in approximately $2,000,000 in additional sales tax revenue. Presuming one half of the Page 1 of 3 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023 rural sales tax revenue encompasses Upper County — one million is likely the available result. The tax is part of the initial election formalizing the district. The recently imposed REET 2 tax generates an estimated $1,000,000 annually. REET 2 is currently being dedicated to the Road fund offsetting inflationary costs ahead of an anticipated levy election in 2024. Long term REET 2 money is anticipated to be directed towards implementing the county's Capital Facility Plan. Currently, the county's lodging tax is generating an estimated $1.5 million in revenue annually. The fund is utilized by the BoCC in a grant program supporting recreation and tourism. Providing the BoCC is willing to obligate a portion of its annual lodging tax towards UKCRC O&M costs, the discussion moves to how the BoCC prefers investing its lodging tax in support of the UKCRC. The BoCC could obligate a portion of lodging tax to an operator (potential public development agency) or the BoCC could elect to form a recreation department serving the BoCC. As PW moves closer to answering questions raised by the BoCC on Public Facility District viability, work should now shift to defining the revenue model supporting long term O&M cost retirement associated with the UKCRC. Additional work is required should the BoCC elect to evaluate a recreation department. In any event, it now appears that lodging tax is a more viable O&M funding component than sales and use tax allocation. Preliminary discussion with City of Cle Elum leadership have identified a desire for city dedicated funding towards the recreation center. Presuming a lodging tax allocation, the revenue could be dedicated to revenue bonds offsetting the initial general bond sale. It seems appropriate to have the project sponsor provide a detailed funding plan offsetting operational costs (sale tax presumed at $1 million, entry fees, parking fees and the like). Staff will return to the BoCC once the operational funding plan is provided for BoCC consideration. FISCAL IMPACTS: Long term operations and maintenance funding is still evolving. ATTACHMENTS: EXHIBIT 1: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE SALES AND USE TAX DATA Page 2 of 3 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023 EXHIBIT 1: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE SALES AND USE TAX DATA Page 3 of 3 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023 KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2023 STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: June 26, 2023 TOPIC: Thorp Mill Feasibility Report ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook RECOMMENDATION: Direct staff. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Public Works has recently completed a feasibility study assessing the potential to add a wet bathroom facility to the parking lot of the historic Thorp Mill. • In round numbers, the water supply and wastewater facility are estimated in the $400,000 range. • Previous discussions have included access to lodging tax grants offsetting the cost of annual operations. BACKGROUND: In 2022, the nonprofit Thorp Mill approached the State Parks Department soliciting for interest taking over operations of the tourist facility. Ultimately, State Parks declined to proceed with acquisition. The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) directed staff evaluate the potential costs associated with county acquisition. PW conducted a land survey in spring 2023 and has recently completed a schematic design and associated cost estimate for water and wastewater improvements at the mill. DISCUSSION: There are sufficient environmentally sensitive areas surrounding the mill such that placing a wet toilet facility outside the existing parking lot is not feasible. There does appear to be sufficient area in one corner of the exiting parking lot supporting a wet toilet. Water supply and waste disposal will take place remotely on lands held by the nonprofit. PW is currently estimating the cost of the restroom at approximately $400,000. Providing the BoCC desires moving ahead with acquisition, PW should refine the cost proposal and place the mill onto the Parks and Recreation Capital Facility Plan. If the BoCC elects to delay action on acquiring the mill, the nonprofit should be encouraged, with staff support, seeking a lodging tax allocation offsetting operational and maintenance costs. Page 1 of 4 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023 FISCAL IMPACTS: Currently estimated at $400,000. ATTACHMENTS: EXHIBIT 1: SCHEMATIC DESIGN EXHIBIT 2: COST ESTIMATE Page 2 of 4 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023 EXHIBIT 1: SCHEMATIC DESIGN Page 3 of 4 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023 \ go 0E u£ a' EXHIBIT 2: COST ESTIMATE Page 4 of 4 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023 MP TO 70b Number: TBD PROJECT LENGTH 0.00 CONSTRUCTION DURATION: 2 weeks OPING ESTIMATE $374,035 CREATED: 5/16/2023 By: CC s County is considering Installing a bathroom at the Thorp MITI museum after taking over me sae. installing a plumbed bathroom will need running water and a dralnfieu for the waste water along with all the ed appurtenances. PREPARATION 1 LS 0001 MOBILIZATION 10% $22,400 SANITARY SEWER 1 LS NSI PROPRIATARY GRIDER PUMP $15,000.00 $151000 1 LS NSI CONCRETE VAULT $15,000.00 $15,000 1,275 LF NSI 2IN PRESURIZED PIPE NETWORK 540D) $51.000 1 LS NSI INSTALL DRAIN FIELD (50 SF) 00 $t2,00D.00 $12,000 WATER LINES 1 LS NSI DRILL WELL $00 E3,000 1 LS NSI PROPRIATARY WATER PUMP 85,00000.00 00 1,150 LF NSI 21N SERVICE CONNECTION $4 $40.00 $46,4fi,000 UTILITY SERVILE 1 LS NSI EXTEND POWER TO WELL $20,000.00 $20,000 STRUCTURE 1 LS NSI INSTALL BATHROOM FACILITY (500 SF) $30.000.00 $30.000 PROJECT CHANGE TRACKING Data BY Lommenb 810 ITEM SUBTOTAL WIC MOBILIZATION $224,000 MOBILIZATION 10.0 $22,400.On BID ITEM SUBTOTAL $246A00 DESIGN ALLOCATIONS 0,00% $o BID ITEM TOTAL $246.400 SALES TAX @ 0.00% $0 PROJECTSUBTOTAL $24fi,400 CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING018% $44,352 CONTINGENCIES @ 20% $49,280 CN ESTIMATE $340,032 PE PHASE 10% 30,003 RNl ACQUISITION COSTS $0 PROJECT TOTAL $374,035 KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2023 STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: June 26, 2023 TOPIC: State Auditor Performance Audit Update ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook RECOMMENDATION: Informational. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Community Development Services (CDS) and Public Works (PW) have been supporting a State Auditor Office (SAO) performance audit concerning permits issued from 2019 through 2022. • Earlier this month, CDS and PW received an update of the audit from the SAO's Office. BACKGROUND: Kittitas County was selected as one of the first rural counties to receive a permitting performance audit from the SAO. For the past several months, a PW Fiscal/Technology Specialist and the Assistant Building Official have been responding to SAO data requests. DISCUSSION: The SAO is in the final stages of completing validation of permit data provided by the county for the period: 2019-2022. The next step in the audit requires the county provide additional information and supporting documentation. It is likely that the SAO will review selected permit files during July. Once the July work is complete, the SAO will meet with staff sharing the results of the audit work and allow staff to provide feedback on audit findings. We anticipate having several meetings in August reviewing the aggregated results from six local governments. FISCAL IMPACTS: None anticipated at this time. ATTACHMENTS: EXHIBIT 1: Performance Audit Overview Page I of 2 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023 EXHIBIT 1: PERFORMANCE AUDIT OVERVIEW Page 2 of 2 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023 Performance Audit Work in progress: Audit description Growth Management Act: County and city compliance with the state's 120-day permitting requirement The Washington Growth Management Act (GMA) requires fast-growing counties and cities to develop comprehensive plans and regulations to guide future growth and limit the ecological impact of urban sprawl. To ensure public safety and protect the environment, land developers, professional builders and property owners must apply for permits from the jurisdiction where they plan to build. As the number of development regulations and environmental laws has increased, so too has the number of required permits. When the Legislature passed the GMA, among its goals was to give applicants more predictability on how long it will take to get a permit approved. The Act included two related requirements: To establish time periods for the governments' permit review that do not exceed 120 days • Certain local governments must report annually on performance, such as the annual volume of permits and average processing time Local governments are allowed to make exceptions to the 120-day rule in two circumstances. They may: Establish different timeframes for permit types that are known to take more than 120 days • Extend the timeframe for specific permits with the agreement of the applicant Preliminary scope and objectives This audit will look at a selection of county and city governments' planning and permitting departments. It will examine their permitting processes to see if they are complying with this 120-day rule, and identify any opportunities for improvement. This audit seeks to answer the following questions: 1. To what extent are local governments complying with the 120-day rule, including the annual reporting requirement? 2. Are local governments using processes appropriately for project permit reviews that exceed 120 days? Assistant Director of Performance Audit: Justin Stowe (564) 201-2970 Justin.Stowe@sao.wa.gov Principal Performance Auditor: Melissa Smith (564) 999-0832 Melissa.Smith@sao. wa.gov Lead Performance Auditor: Carolyn Cato (564)999-0848 Carolyn. Cato @sao.wa. gov Office of the Washington State Auditor P.O. Box 40021 Olympia, WA 98504-0021 564-999-0950 www.sao.wa.gov @ WAStateAuditor Posted: TBA 2023 KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2023 STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: June 26, 2023 TOPIC: King County Subarea Plan for Snoqualmie Pass ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook, Kelee Hodges, Jamey Ayling RECOMMENDATION: Informational. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • King County is finalizing their subarea planning effort for Snoqualmie Pass. • Public Works (PW) has reviewed the subarea plan and provided comments. • A handful of planning objectives (policies) generally state the desirability of working with Kittitas County addressing transportation issues at the pass. • PW is planning to begin a multi -year transportation safety planning effort at the pass using a Safe Street For All (SS4A) grant received in 2022. BACKGROUND: For the past year, King County and Kittitas County staff have been meeting with pass residents discussing land use and transportation issues. King County is finalizing a subarea plan addressing Snoqualmie Pass resident concerns. PW is set to begin a large planning effort for the pass in July 2023 once the Federal Highway Administration finalizes our SS4A grant. DISCUSSION: A summary of"Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan" is attached (EXHIBIT 1) for Board of County Commission (BoCC) review. Several polices are being advanced in the plan. Relevant Policies in the Subarea Plan we discussed: • Land Use: SVNE-2 — 51/220 — coordinating with Kittitas re community, ski area, trucking and buffers from I-90. • Housing: SVNE-8 — 58/220 — workforce housing at Snoqualmie Pass • Transportation: SVNE-17 & 18 — 17 supporting right -sized mobility solutions • Services and Utilities: SVNE-22: working with internet providers to improve service. Page 1 of 3 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023 Economic Development: SVNE-27 — 92 — support visitor experience with Kittitas coordination PW specifically requested the addition of SVNE-22 owing to our emerging Broad Band deployment initiative for the county. King and Kittitas County comprehensive plans do not necessarily complement one another. Our plan recognizes the Limited Area of More Intense Rural Development (LAMIRD) of Snoqualmie Pass while King County recognizes the township of Snoqualmie Pass. Not only the names are different but so are zoning and planning regulations. The vast majority of the pass resides within our LAMIRD. The King effort appears to have created expectations for pass residents for service levels that may not be appropriate for the LAMIRD. We will likely encounter this dis-connect once we begin our transportation planning effort at the pass. We may need to contemplate a subarea planning effort on our own once we get deeper into the transportation planning effort. The State Department of Transportation and King County have both pledged grant match funding supporting our match obligation on the SS4A grant. FISCAL IMPACTS: Approximately $150,000 is required for matching the $400,000 +/- grant. ATTACHMENTS: EXHIBIT 1: KING COUNTY SUBAREA PLAN SUMMARY DOC Page 2 of 3 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023 EXHIBIT 1: KING COUNTY SUBAREA PLAN SUMMARY DOC Page 3 of 3 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023 E https://kingcounty.gov/local-services 4,,cal Services -+-how cavi we serve 4cm? AskLocalServices@kingcounty.gov 206-477-3800 Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan Public Review Draft — Reader's Guide Dear Snoqualmie Valley/NE King County community member: The Snoqualmie Valley/NE King County Subarea Plan and Land Use and Zoning Map Amendments will express the community's vision for the future and set policies that will guide decisions affecting the subarea for years to come. This reader's guide is a summary of the draft subarea plan and map amendments. King County will accept public comments on the draft plan and amendments from Thursday, June 1 through Saturday, July 15. County planners will use the public comments we receive to update the plan and map amendments. The King County Executive will send the revised plan and map amendments to the King County Council for consideration in December 2023. There are several ways to share your thoughts about the plan: 1. Online: publicinput.com/SnoValleyNEKC—this dynamic web portal provides information in many languages and accepts comments in those languages as well) 2. Email: iesreynolds@kingcounty.gov—Please make sure the subject line includes "Subarea Plan" or "SV/NEKC Plan". 3. U.S. Mail: SV/NEKC Plan 201 S Jackson Street KSC-LS-0815 Seattle, WA 98104 4. Voicemai1:206-477-4237 To request this information in another format or language, call 206-477-3800 or send email to AskLocalServices(@ kingcounty.gov. MRW_ 206-263-9784 :-I f4% f f flf AskLocalServices(akingcountv.gov. Para solicitar esta informacion en espanol, Ilame al 206-477-3800 o envie un mensaje de correo electr6nico a AskLocalServices(@kingcounty.gov. Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan Public Review Draft — Reader's Guide Chapter 1: Introduction The introduction to the subarea plan explains why King County is planning for the future of Snoqualmie Valley and Northeast King County. It also explains the central role of equity and social justice in the plan ("The ultimate goal of the Subarea Plan is to make real, equitable improvements to the quality of life for everyone who lives, works, and plays in Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County"). The chapter then summarizes past community planning efforts, including the Snoqualmie Valley Community Plan, Fall City Subarea Plan, and amendments to the Fall City Subarea Plan. It explains directions in the King County Comprehensive Plan to do subarea planning at Snoqualmie Pass and to do a land use and zoning study for the Snoqualmie Interchange. It includes a brief description of the Community Needs List process that King County began in 2022. That process is associated with, but separate from, this plan. It then describes the Subarea Plan chapters (except for the Introduction, Vision and Guiding Principles, and Community Description), which are arranged as follows: • Background and context • Community priorities and needs • Policies The chapter finishes with an explanation of what equity and social justice mean to King County. The county is committed to being... • Inclusive and collaborative • Diverse and people focused • Responsive and adaptive • Transparent and accountable • Racially just • Focused upstream and where needs are greatest Chapter 2: Community engagement, vision, and guiding principles County planners developed the community vision and guiding principles based on community input received during development of two documents: the Community Needs List and the Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan. The community vision is a forward - looking statement of how the community wants to be over the next 20 years. Questions? AskLocalServices@kingcounty.gov J 206-477-3800 Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan Public Review Draft — Reader's Guide Community Vision Statement Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County is characterized by strong rural communities with distinct cultures and histories, where people and businesses are thriving, the natural environment and agricultural lands are conserved and protected, farms are preserved, the community is resilient to climate change, and services and programs are accessible to residents in a way that preserves the unique rural character. This chapter includes the guiding principles that informed and directed the development of the Subarea Plan Public Review Draft. It provides a brief description of the different phases of community engagement. Chapter 3: Subarea description This chapter describes the physical features and population of the Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County subarea, and lists some of the government agencies and special service districts that serve the area. Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County is a rural unincorporated area, which means it is not part of any city and King County serves as its local government. It is the largest subarea in King County, covering 881 square miles. It shares borders with three counties and two incorporated cities on its western edge. It also surrounds five incorporated cities in the rural area, contains two rural towns, and features scenic byways and mountain passes. About 26,000 people live in the area. The chapter describes the different ways land is being used in the subarea. Almost 90% is used for forestry and agriculture. Recreational tourism is supported by abundant outdoor activities and natural beauty. The chapter also outlines the area's history, including the presence of the Tulalip, Snoqualmie, and Muckleshoot tribes, the regional timber industry, and farming in the Snoqualmie Valley. And it provides information about communities in the subarea today. Compared to King County as a whole, the subarea has larger households, a slightly younger population, and fewer people with disabilities. The median income in the subarea is higher than in the county as a whole, and fewer households live below the poverty line. While more households own their homes, there are more rent -burdened households in the subarea compared to the rest of the county. Fewer households use languages other than English than in the county as a whole. The chapter outlines government and non -governmental services in the subarea, such as parks districts, three school districts, and community service providers. Questions? AskLocalServicesCcDkingcounty.gov 1 206-477-3800 Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan Public Review Draft — Reader's Guide Chapter 4: Land use This chapter explains how the subarea plan is related to the King County Comprehensive Plan. describes how the Comprehensive Plan land use designations indicate the planned long-term use of an area. Zoning classifications regulate how a particular property can be used as well as the development regulations that apply to the property. More than half (57%) of the land in the subarea is designated Forestry; 28% is Other Parks/Wilderness, and just over 9% is Rural Area. Open Space and Agricultural land make up 2%, and Rural Towns, Rural Neighborhood Commercial Centers, and unincorporated lands designated as Rural Area that lie within a city's urban growth area make up less than 1% each. Land use priorities we heard about from community members • Preserve the rural character of the area by maintaining views, supporting agriculture in the Snoqualmie Valley, and curbing suburban sprawl. • Some community members told us they support affordable housing for workers and younger people in the subarea. • In Snoqualmie Pass specifically, create more accommodations for the local workforce through zoning allowances and limit zoning to address concerns about both the environment and natural hazards, such as critical areas and avalanche zones. • In Fall City specifically, preserve neighborhood aesthetics and update the commercial area special district overlay. The chapter finishes with six policies designed to protect rural character and scenic views. Chapter 5: Housing and human services The housing and human services chapter describes the profound effect that planning decisions have on the strength of residential neighborhoods and their ability to support connected, intergenerational, and diverse communities. Home values across the subarea are increasing substantially, and there is unprecedented demand for affordable housing. There are significant racial and ethnic disparities between owner and renter households in this subarea, with people who identify as "some other race" and Black being least likely to own their own homes. More than a third of renters in the subarea spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Housing priorities that community members shared Maintain the area's rural character by limiting the intensity and density of housing allowed in most parts of the subarea. Questions? AskLocalServices@kinecounty.gov 1 206-477-3800 Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan Public Review Draft — Reader's Guide • Build affordable places for young people to live, places for seniors to age in place, and housing that is integrated with services. • Find ways to make affordable housing available for people who provide services, in the communities they serve —including permanent housing options for workers (especially around Snoqualmie Pass). The housing section lists four policies that address affordable housing through working with municipalities within and near the subarea and supporting existing programs, middle -income housing, and workforce housing. Human services priorities shared by community members Greater access to human services in the subarea, including improved access to behavioral and mental health services (crises centers and treatment/support for substance abuse). More resources for service providers to address rising caseloads and costs as well as limited available workers. More resources to address mental health in youths, including services in schools and opportunities for youths to spend time in nature. This section of the chapter lists two policies intended to support positive health outcomes and supportive services. Chapter 6: Environment This chapter describes the ecologically rich and scenic assets that make the subarea so distinctive. Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County is the largest and most forested subarea in King County. It boasts scenic byways, wild- and scenic -designated rivers, national forests, designated wilderness areas, ski areas, an agricultural production district, and several other preserved state, county, and private lands. The chapter describes the subarea's watersheds and water quality concerns, salmon and watershed planning, and floodplain management. It projects the effects of climate change and implementation plans and programs relevant to the environment, such as the county's Strategic Climate Action Plan, Flood Hazard Management Plan, and 30-Year Forest Plan. Environment priorities shared by community members Preserve rural character through protection and preservation of the subarea's forests, rivers, lakes, agricultural valleys, and open spaces. Restore natural systems such as rivers for advancing salmon recovery, promotion of reforestation, and more protection for water resources. Questions? AskLocalServices@kinxcounty.aov 1 206-477-3800 Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan Public Review Draft — Reader's Guide Increase attention to issues associated with climate change, such as more frequent and extreme flooding, agricultural resistance to climate change and natural hazards, reduction of greenhouse gases and waste, and promotion of wildfire resilience. Support policies that balance the needs of salmon with those of agricultural land preservation and resilience to flooding. The chapter lists three policies intended to support environmental protection and mitigation of climate change impacts. Chapter 7: Parks and open space This chapter begins with an explanation of how parks and open spaces are managed in unincorporated King County and a description of the lands and facilities. Seven hundred fifty-six square miles of land in the subarea (86%) is classified as forest production land. Most of the flood plain downstream from Snoqualmie Falls is zoned for agriculture and lies within the 14,931-acre Snoqualmie Agricultural Production District. The subarea also has two scenic byways: the Mountains to Sound Greenway and the Stevens Pass Greenway. The subarea is also home to a range of parks, trails, riverfront natural areas, and recreation opportunities on the Snoqualmie and Skykomish rivers. Fishing, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, and mountain biking are popular. King County owns 42 local and regional parks and five trails in the subarea. The chapter describes the two metropolitan park districts in the subarea as well as plans and programs relevant to parks and open space, including Conservation Futures, the Open Space Plan, and the King County Parks Levy. Community members note that parks and open space are key factors in why they choose to live in the subarea. Parks and open space priorities shared by community members • Promote greater access to natural lands, especially river access and facilities for camping on public lands, while preserving views and environmental integrity. • Focus attention on trailhead crowding along the 1-90 corridor, protection of the environment while maintaining access in these areas, and protection of community amenities such as historic landmarks and natural resources. • Add more parks, playgrounds, and other recreational facilities for the rural towns of Fall City and Snoqualmie Pass, and more parks and recreation programming throughout the subarea. Regional coordination on trail networks and large undeveloped areas. Questions? AskLocalServices@kingcounty.gov 1 206-477-3800 Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan Public Review Draft — Reader's Guide The Snoqualmie and Tulalip tribes both expressed concern about trailhead crowding and general overuse of outdoor recreational areas. Both tribes said current levels of use interfere with their access to ancestral lands. The chapter lists three policies intended to support increased recreational and cultural opportunities and improve human health and environmental conditions. Chapter 8: Transportation This chapter describes the profound effect transportation networks have on the quality of peoples' lives and on the economy. They provide access to jobs, education, services, recreation, and other destinations. The chapter explains that highways, county roads, and transit in the subarea connect King County to neighboring counties; link rural area cities and towns to one another and to employment centers to the west; carry freight from farms and other resource - based businesses to markets in the Pacific Northwest and beyond; and provide residents with critical access to programs and services in urban King County. The chapter describes the services and facilities managed by King County Road Services as well as state highways and public transportation services in the subarea. Transportation priorities shared by community members • Increase infrastructure for active transportation, such as bike lanes, shoulders, and sidewalks. • Improve safety and enhance maintenance of rural roadways, bridges, shoulders, and ditches. Maintain area roadways that are deteriorating due to heavy truck traffic and traffic congestion from recreationists, such as near popular trailheads. Address seasonal flooding and occasional landslides that cause road closures, cutting off residents from the surrounding cities and impeding emergency services. • Increase transit, especially routes to connect residents with employers in the south end of the subarea. Resolve mobility challenges such as barriers to transit for youth, seniors, and customers with limited physical mobility. Provide better access to health and human services in the area and in surrounding cities The chapter ends with five policies to right -size mobility solutions and support a safe and encouraging environment for walking, transit use, and biking. Chapter 9: Services and utilities Chapter 9 explains that the subarea includes both urban areas —the urban growth area adjacent to cities in the valley —and rural areas. The cities are the primary providers of services Questions? AskLocalServices@kingcounty.eov 1 206-477-3800 Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan Public Review Draft — Reader's Guide in the urban growth area and may provide certain services to neighboring rural areas. Community members in the rural areas generally receive services and utilities from special- purpose districts or private companies. The chapter explains who provides utilities (water, sewage treatment and disposal, solid waste, energy, and telecommunications) and services (public school districts and public hospital districts), and notes that the business district in Fall City will soon be served by a large on -site septic system to address long-standing issues with wastewater management. Services and utilities priorities shared by community members • Increase access to reliable internet service for those who are not currently served and those who are underserved. • Create a resilient power grid. Plan for peaks in demand for electricity and emergency services for Snoqualmie Pass and other popular recreation areas. • In Fall City specifically, do not expand the large on -site sewage system beyond what is currently planned. • In the unincorporated areas around Skykomish specifically, improve access to solid - waste services. The chapter ends with three policies intended to address the need for well -planned and adequate utilities and services. Chapter 10: Economic development This chapter describes the business community and employment in Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County. Agriculture and local businesses are the backbone of the rural economy and contribute to the area's quality of life and vitality. The chapter notes that while some forestry and mining still happen, they are at much lower levels than in the past. There are three designated commercial areas, and each of the cities in the Snoqualmie Valley has its own commercial area. The largest employment sector in the subarea is government, followed by services, construction/resources, warehousing, transportation, and utilities. Economic development priorities shared by community members Increase support for local agriculture, including resilience to changes posed by extreme weather events, and improve connections between local growers and markets. Support policies that help local businesses thrive while keeping the rural scale of existing commercial areas. Questions? AskLocalServices(@kingcounty.gov 1 206-477-3800 Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan Public Review Draft — Reader's Guide • Preserve and protect resource -based economies while encouraging tourism in ways that maintain the area's rural character and protect natural resources. The chapter ends with six policies to support economic and other community development Chapter 11: Implementation This chapter includes actions and measures King County will take to realize the community vision and policies in the plan. Actions taken with adoption of the plan include amendments to the county's land use and zoning maps along with new and revised development conditions for the subarea. Future action items include ongoing work with the Community Needs List and performance measures to monitor implementation of the subarea plan. The chapter lists specific changes to land use and zoning maps, transportation studies, and economic development policies. The chapter also includes information about next steps for the Community Needs List and budgeting. Finally, the chapter includes performance measures for implementing the subarea plan. Appendices The Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan Public Review Draft has three appendices. Appendix A is a collection of maps and tables that were used to develop the plan. Appendix B is an Equity Impact Review that seeks to identify, evaluate, and communicate potential impacts — both positive and negative — associated with the development and implementation of the plan, following the process outlined in the King County Equity Impact Review Tool. Appendix C includes detail on community engagement for the plan. Land use and zoning map amendments When the Snoqualmie Valley/NE King County Subarea Plan is sent to the King County Council, it will be accompanied by the following recommended land use and zoning map amendments. Open Space Expansion Map Amendment Amends the Comprehensive Plan designation of parcels acquired by King County for inclusion in the King County Open Space System. This designation indicates the long-term intended use of these properties for environmental protection, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation. Forest Land Increase Map Amendment Amends the Comprehensive Plan designation of parcels owned by Washington State public agencies from Rural Area to Forestry and Other Parks/Wilderness. This designation indicates Questions? AskLocalServices@kingcounty.aov, 1 206-477-3800 Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan Public Review Draft — Reader's Guide their long-term use as part of a contiguous and functional open space system that includes natural areas, working resource lands, recreation, and trail and wildlife habitat corridors. Land Use Designation and Zoning Classification Alignment Map Amendment Aligns the land use designations and zoning classifications of unincorporated land in the Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Community Service Area by amending several parcels. Preston Mill and Neighborhood Business Map Amendment Amends the zoning on part of one parcel and removes several overlapping development conditions from parcels east of the Preston -Fall City Road SE that are on or adjacent to the former Preston Mill site in the rural unincorporated area of Preston. Preston Industrial Map Amendment Updates and consolidates P-suffix development conditions applying to the Preston industrial area by removing development conditions that no longer apply to parcels and amending development conditions to cover applicable landscaping, open space, and utility provisions from repealed development conditions. one parcel zoning designation is amended to reflect the presence of a King County park. Weyerhaeuser Snoqualmie Mill Development Condition Amends land use classifications to reflect acquisitions for King County Open Space System. Removes a development condition that requires joint planning between King County and the city of Snoqualmie, as most of this area has been annexed by the city. Other zoning and land use amendments to better reflect current conditions. Raging River Quarry Development Condition 10 This amendment changes the land use designation from Mineral to Open Space and removes a development condition for one parcel. The development condition is amended to be consistent with current codes and King County department references. Grand Ridge Development Condition Amends the land use designation and zoning development conditions of several parcels to reflect adoption into the King County Open Space System or ownership by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and to remove references to the East Sammamish Community Plan and other policies that no longer apply to the area due to annexations and existing development. Questions? AskLocalServicespkingcounty.Rov 1 206-477-3800 Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan 11 Public Review Draft — Reader's Guide Snoqualmie Pass Microhousing and Viewshed Protection Map Amendment Amends zoning classification and development conditions on the rural town of Snoqualmie Pass by expanding a required landscape buffer on portions of parcels abutting Interstate 90 from 25 feet to 100 feet and including this area in the Alternative Housing Demonstration Project Area. Fall City Residential Development Condition Establishes a new property -specific development condition in the rural town of Fall City to maintain the predominant development pattern and make sure that new development is consistent with existing rural levels of service in Fall City's residential areas. Fall City Industrial Development Condition This amendment revises the text of a development condition to acknowledge the longstanding use as legal use of the industrial property while maintaining development conditions that ensure its compatibility with the nearby residential and commercial areas. Rural Forest Demonstration Project Area Removes the Rural Forest Demonstration Project Area overlay from applicable parcels. The demonstration project has expired and is proposed for repeal in the King County Code. This map amendment conforms with that change. North Bend Rural Lot Clustering Amends the zoning on parcels east of North Bend by removing development conditions that require clustering of future residential development of the parcels. Rural clustering is still permitted on the parcels if future development occurs. Highway Oriented Development Condition Repeals a development condition regarding highway -oriented development for an area annexed by the city of North Bend. Annexed Development Conditions Repeals several development conditions on parcels annexed by city of North Bend. Questions? AskLocalServicesCd)kingcounty.gov 1 206-477-3800 KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: June 26, 2023 TOPIC: Kittitas County Road Standards ACTION REQUESTED: Informational — No Board action required. LEAD STAFF: Joshua Fredrickson RECOMMENDATION: Informational briefing — no Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) action is required. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Current road standard (Title 12 Roads and Bridges) revision was minimal in nature in 2015. • Significant reorganization and restructure is desired by Public Works. • Public Works awarded Task Order with KPG in 2017 for a full Title 12 revision. • The BoCC gave direction formulating an informal review committee in 2018. • Efforts were to complete the update reinitiated in 2022. • Title 12 revision is included in the 2023 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket. BACKGROUND: Kittitas County Public Works (PW) is proposing revisions to Title 12 Roads and Bridges, as part of the 2023 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket. The current standards were most recently revised in 2015 to clean up issues from the 2005 update. The 2015 revision did not intend to be a complete revision. In 2017, Public Works determined that consultant support was needed for the rewriting of the code and a draft was created with the assistance of an informal review committee. Due to circumstances related to the pandemic, the project was placed on hold until this past fall. DISCUSSION: The proposed road standards represent the first comprehensive approach to County Road Standards in over 18 years. The current standards are designed with the user in mind. The proposed standards are intended to produce a product which can be easily used by development engineers and includes roadway cross -sections, along with supporting graphics accompanying the standards. After developing an update, the code was compared to example county codes from other counties in Washington State to inform and guide revisions to the preliminary draft. Page 1 of 2 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report" 2023 Public Works is bringing a complete revision to Title 12 for Planning Commission (PC) review and recommendation to the BoCC at a future date. A citizen review committee has spent months reviewing Title 12 revisions with a final meeting the end of this month. The project to update the road standards included development of a smooth flowing, comprehensive set of road standards as well as elimination of redundant information, inconsistencies, contradictions, missing information, in order to produce a new set of road and bridge standards which are user friendly and easy to follow. FISCAL IMPACTS: Current review and finalization are being performed by Staff and is included in the regular budget. ATTACHMENTS: None Page 2 of 2 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report" 2023