HomeMy WebLinkAboutR2026-134BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF KITTITAS
STATE OF WASHINGTON
RESOI,UTION NO. 2026. $4
ACKNOWLEDGING KITTITAS COUNTY COMPLETION OF THE 2026.2046
PERIODIC UPDATE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE WASHINGTON STATE
GROWTII MANEGMENT ACT
WHEREAS, Kittitas County opted into the Growth ManagementAct (GMA), Chapter 36.70ARCW
voluntarily on December 27,1990, through Resolution 90-138; and
WHEREAS, RCW 36.704.130 requires counties and cities fully planning under the GMAto review and, if
needed, revise their comprehensive plans and development regulations every ten years to ensure compliance
with the requirements of Chapter 36.70ARCW; and
WHEREAS, Kittitas County conducted extensive public engagement and govemmental 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
WHEREAS, on June 16,2026, the Board of County Commissioners signed Ordinance No. 2026-003
adopting the20262046 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 planpursuant to RCW 36.70A.130 and RCW 36.704.070; and
WHERBAS, as part of the2026 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 and Land Capacity Analysis. This review evaluated existing designations, current uses, and
consistency with GMA goals and RCW 36.70,{.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
WHEREAS, on June 16,2026, the Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 2026-004
updating the Critical Areas Ordinance (KCC Title l7A) and associated development regulations to
incorporate best available science and ensure consistency with the updated Comprehensive Plan, pursuant to
RCW 36,70A.060, RCW 36.70 A.172, and RCW 36.70A'130; and
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
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 in intentional adoption of
inaccurate official maps. The County has determined that accurate, current maps will be prepared and
adopted during the2027 annual comprehensive plan amendment cycle once complete annexation information
is received and verified by all municipalities; and
WHEREAS, the existingZoningand Future Land Use Map, adopted on June 18,2019, through Ordinance
2019-010 (Exhibit A), shall remain the Official Kittitas County Zoningand Future Land Use Map until
accurate maps can be adopted through the2027 annual docket cycle.
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners finds that Kittitas County has substantially completed all
requirements of the 2026Periodic Update under RCW 36.70.{.130, subject to the commitment to adopt
updated Future Land Use and Zoning maps during the 2027 arurual docket cycle as described herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Kittitas County,
Washington, as follows:
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 and2026-004 adopted on June 16,
2026.
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.
Section 3. The Board acknowledges that updated Future Land Use Map and ZonngMap exhibits wers
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 andZoning maps for adoption during the 2027 annual
comprehensive plan amendment (docket) cycle, once verified annexation information has been received from
all municipalities.
Section 4. The Zoningand Future Land Use map adopted through Ordinance 2019-010 will remain the
Official Kittitas County map until updated through the2027 annual docket cycle.
Section 5. This Resolution shall be transmitted to the Washinglon State Department of Commerce as
documentation of the County's completion of the2026 Periodic Update requirements, together with the
previously submitted ordinances and supporting materials.
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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.
ADOPTED this 4th day ofAugust2026
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COLINTY, WASHINGTON
of the Board- Julie Kjorsvik
Vice-Chairman
n Deputy Clerk of thg Board- Mandy Buchholz
Vauar\f'
Commissioner
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