HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-10-minutes-cds-study-sessionKITTITAS COUNTY
CDS STUDY SESSION MINUTES
COMMISSIONERS' AUDITORIUM, 205 WEST 5th ROOM 109
Regular Meeting
MONDAY 2:30 PM August 10, 2026
Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith, and Vice -
Chairman Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Chad Bala, Jamey Ayling, Gail Weyand, Community
Development Services, Samantha Cox, Public Works, Stephanie
Hartung, Chief Civil Deputy, and Jeff Leichleiter.
At 2:30 pm Chairman Wachsmith opened the Community Development
Services Study Session.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
There were no citizen comments.
REQUEST TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION PLACING A SIX (6) MONTH
EMERGENCY MORATORIUM ON ACCEPTANCE OF DATA CENTERS
PROPOSALS/APPLICATIONS WITHIN KITTITAS COUNTY.
CDS Director Chad Bala presented a requested resolution placing
a six-month emergency moratorium on the acceptance of data
center proposals and applications within Kittitas County. The
matter was brought forward considering recent activity involving
data centers in Upper County and the City of Cle Elum. Director
Bala explained that the moratorium would provide the County with
time to evaluate its code and develop a work plan addressing
regulatory needs related to data centers.
Director Bala noted that, if the emergency moratorium is
adopted, the County would be required to hold a hearing within
60 days. He further stated that staff would develop a one-year
work plan and coordinate with relevant parties, including legal
counsel, the Health Department, and other stakeholders, to
evaluate issues such as water infrastructure, internal water
systems, power needs, and whether applicants should be required
to provide their own power.
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MINUTES I
Director Bala stated that data centers are a potentially
contentious topic and that additional time is needed for the
County to better understand impacts and regulatory requirements.
Commissioner Osiadacz made a motion to approve resolution 2026-
141 as presented to placing a six (6) month Emergency Moratorium
on acceptance of Data Centers proposals/applications within
Kittitas County.
Vice -Chairman Wachsmith seconded.
Motion passed all in favor.
KITTITAS COUNTY 2026 CLEAN ENERGY SITING PERMITTING (CESP)
UPDATE.
Director Bala provided an update regarding the County's Clean
Energy Site Permitting Grant. He stated that the County had
obtained a grant in the amount of $790,000 and had begun work
with Kimley-Horn. The project involves identifying issues and
high-level mitigation measures through a countywide programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement.
Director Bala reported that during the week of July 20, 2026,
stakeholder meetings were held with multiple groups, including
tribes, the agricultural community, the general community,
wildlife representatives, and environmental interests. Summaries
of those meetings had been received and were beginning to be
reviewed.
Director Bala stated that the next steps include preparing the
draft Environmental Impact Statement and scheduling open houses
and meetings for the fall. The goal is to complete the process
by June 2027.
Director Bala reported that the Washington State Department of
Commerce contacted the County regarding additional available
funding. After discussion with Kimley-Horn, staff proposed using
additional funding for an economic study and land availability
study related to Major Industrial Development sites. This would
build on the Major Industrial Development code adopted as part
of the County's comprehensive plan update.
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MINUTES 2
Director Bala stated that Commerce approved the proposal and
awarded an additional $100,000, increasing total funding from
$790,000 to $890,000. He noted that this work is expected to
involve limited public outreach because it will primarily
consist of economic analysis and land capacity analysis, using
information from the comprehensive plan update as a foundation.
Director Bala stated that the intent is to identify potential
sites that may be appropriate for Major Industrial Development
uses.
There was no discussion.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
Meeting concluded at 2:35 p.m.
Gail Weyand,Ch' f
Administator
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MINUTES 3
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Brett Wachsmith, Chairman