The Comprehensive Plan and the Kittitas County Code were amended on February 11, 2013 through Ordinance 2013-001 in order to be compliant with the Growth Management Act. The amendments came into effect on June 3, 2013.

On May 31, 2013 the Eastern Washington Growth Management Hearings Board issued a decision regarding Kittitas County Code and Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan compliance to the Growth Management Act as a result of adopting these amendments. The Hearings Board found within this decision that the amendments addressed most of the issues of the July 28, 2011 Supreme Court decision of Kittitas County Conservation, et.al. v. Kittitas County. Issues still to be addressed include:

1) Measures to Protect Rural Character.

2) Adopting Imperative Language in Policies.

3) Adoption of Development Regulations Implementing Plan Measures.

4) Demonstrate How Existing Zones Meet Limited Areas of More Intense Development, Types I, II, and III.; and

5) Protection of Water Quality and Quantity.

Proposals to meet these issues were provided to the Planning Commission at a public hearing held at the Hal Holmes Center in Ellensburg on August 14, 2013, and recommendation regarding the proposal was made to the Board of County Commissioners on August 20, 2013. Staff is before the Commissioners to set public hearing on September 19, 2013 at 6:00 pm at Teanaway Hall at the County Fairgrounds.

For more information, contact Community Development Services

Anyone with an interest in this matter is urged to attend said hearing where all testimony will be taken. Written comments may be received at 205 W 5th Ave. STE 108, Ellensburg, WA 98926 at or prior to the hearing.

Kittitas County complies with all ADA requirements.