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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
<br />COUNTY OF KITTITAS
<br />STATE OF WASHINGTON
<br />RESOLUTION NO. 2026-______
<br />ACKNOWLEDGING KITTITAS COUNTY COMPLETION OF THE 2026-2046 PERIODIC UPDATE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE WASHINGTON STATE GROWTH MANEGMENT ACT
<br />WHEREAS, Kittitas County opted into the Growth Management Act (GMA), Chapter 36.70A RCW, voluntarily on December 27, 1990, through Resolution 90-138; and
<br />WHEREAS, RCW 36.70A.130 requires counties and cities fully planning under the GMA to review and, if needed, revise their comprehensive plans and development regulations every ten years to ensure compliance with the requirements of Chapter 36.70A RCW; and
<br />WHEREAS, Kittitas County conducted extensive public engagement and governmental consultations throughout the 2026 Periodic Update process, consistent with RCW 36.70A.140, including community surveys, newsletters, stakeholder meetings, open houses, Planning Commission work sessions and public hearings, and Board of County Commissioners study sessions and public hearings, as indicated in the findings adopted through Ordinance 2026-003; and
<br />WHEREAS, on June 16, 2026, the Board of County Commissioners signed Ordinance No. 2026-003 adopting the 2026–2046 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update including the Climate and Resiliency Element and Easton Subarea Plan, thereby completing the required review and revision of the County’s comprehensive plan pursuant to RCW 36.70A.130 and RCW 36.70A.070; and
<br />WHEREAS, as part of the 2026 Periodic Update, Kittitas County completed a thorough review of designated natural resource lands (agricultural, forest, and mineral lands of long-term commercial significance) through staff review andLand Capacity Analysis. This review evaluated existing designations, current uses, and consistency with GMA goals and RCW 36.70A.170. The Board found that no amendments to natural resource land designations or related regulations were necessary or recommended as a result of this review; and
<br />WHEREAS, on June 16, 2026, the Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 2026-004 updating the Critical Areas Ordinance (KCC Title 17A) and associated development regulations to incorporate best available science and ensure consistency with the updated Comprehensive Plan, pursuant to RCW 36.70A.060, RCW 36.70A.172, and RCW 36.70A.130; and
<br />WHEREAS, Kittitas County submitted the required 60-day Notice of Intent to Adopt to the Washington State Department of Commerce, including the draft Comprehensive Plan, draft Critical Areas Ordinance, and draft development regulations, and completed all required SEPA procedural and notification requirements; and
<br />WHEREAS, updated Future Land Use and Zoning maps were not included in the June 16, 2026, adoption package because several municipalities within Kittitas County had not provided complete and current annexation data for multiple years. Inclusion of outdated maps would have resulted inintentional adoption of inaccurate official maps. The County has determined that accurate, current maps will be prepared and adopted during the 2027 annual comprehensive plan amendment cycle once complete annexation information is received and verified by all municipalities; and
<br />WHEREAS, the existing Zoning and Future Land Use Map, adopted on June 18, 2019, through Ordinance 2019-010 (Exhibit A), shall remain the Official Kittitas County Zoning and Future Land Use Map until accurate maps can be adopted through the 2027 annual docket cycle.
<br />WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners finds that Kittitas County has substantially completed all requirements of the 2026 Periodic Update under RCW 36.70A.130, subject to the commitment to adopt updated Future Land Use and Zoning maps during the 2027 annual docket cycle as described herein.
<br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Kittitas County, Washington, as follows:
<br />Section 1. The Board of County Commissioners hereby finds and declares that Kittitas County has completed the review and update requirements of the Growth Management Act for the 2026 Periodic Update cycle, including review of the comprehensive plan, natural resource lands designations, critical areas regulations, and development regulations, as documented in Ordinance Nos. 2026-003 and 2026-004 adopted on June 16, 2026.
<br />Section 2. The Board specifically finds that designated natural resource lands were reviewed as part of the Land Capacity Analysis and related Periodic Update work. No changes to natural resource land designations or implementation regulations were determined to be necessary.
<br />Section 3. The Board acknowledges that updated Future Land Use Map and Zoning Map exhibits were intentionally deferred from the June 16, 2026, adoption package solely because complete and current municipal annexation data was not available from all cities and towns within the County. The Board directs staff to prepare and present accurate Future Land Use and Zoning maps for adoption during the 2027 annual comprehensive plan amendment (docket) cycle, once verified annexation information has been received from all municipalities.
<br />Section 4. The Zoning and Future Land Use map adopted through Ordinance 2019-010 will remain the Official Kittitas County map until updated through the 2027 annual docket cycle.
<br />Section 5. This Resolution shall be transmitted to the Washington State Department of Commerce as documentation of the County’s completion of the 2026 Periodic Update requirements, together with the previously submitted ordinances and supporting materials.
<br />Section 6. If any provision of this Resolution or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the Resolution or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.
<br />ADOPTED this 4th day of August 2026.BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERSKITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON________________________________Brett Wachsmith, Chairman
<br />Attest:
<br />☐ Clerk of the Board- Julie Kjorsvik________________________________
<br />Laura Osiadacz, Vice-Chairman
<br />☐ Deputy Clerk of the Board- Mandy Buchholz
<br /> _______________________________________________________________Commissioner
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