Working Group Meeting 3

April 20, 2017

MEETING 1

§ There is a large supply of undeveloped lots

§ Reduce non-conforming lots

§ Overzoning of ag-20

§ Buyers are often unaware of many development challenges

§ Review the public benefit of tax system

§ Many rural areas do not have access to water

MEETING 2

§ Housing shortage

§ Dearth of affordable housing

§ Isolated pockets of zoning

§ Provide incentives for clustering zoning development

§ Need a variety of rural densities

§ Lack of protection of rural character

§ Expensive electricity

§ Protect food sources

§ Irregular tax rates

§ Please list below the natural features, economic patterns or structures/ development patterns that you think make Kittitas County special?

LOCATION

§ Close but not too close to larger urban areas

§ Abundant access to surrounding vast tracks of undeveloped land § Wildlife

§ Scenic landscapes

§ Clean healthy air and water

EMPLOYMENT

§ Employment includes 20% State (Including CWU) and 18% local government.

§ Job growth primarily in the accommodations and food service sector § Wages are low

§ High poverty level

§ 18% locally13 % State wide14 % nationally

§ Diverse base of education

NATURAL FEATURES

§ Varied natural landscape (7)§ Jagged snow-capped mountains (The Cascades, The

Stuarts, Snoqulamie Pass, Blewett Pass, natural woodlands)

§ Rolling curved ridgeline with alpine habitats and high precipitation

§ Harsh arid shrub steppe with limited precipitation§ Pastures and farms dotted with family homes§ The Yakima River and its tributaries and creeks§ Lakes, irrigation reservoirs and ponds

§ Limiting development in open and sensitive places (5)

§ Excellent habitat for a wide array of fish and wildlife species (4)

§ Variety of year-round recreational opportunities (3)

MANMADE LANDSCAPES

§ Livestock pastures, irrigated fields, farms and ranches, orchards, agricultural-related businesses, seasonal harvests (3)

§ Traditional structures found on farms; along the old railways; barns, hay fields, farm equipment

§ Varied residential architectural characteristics§ Farm houses with front porches and barns§ Newer tight-knit neighborhoods§ Grand homes in Suncadia§ Modern slant-roof homes

§ Not afraid to use the sun, water and wind or the soil as energy resources

§ Are there any developments or practices that you have observed in the county over the past 10 years that you would like to address or make sure do not continue as such over the next 20 years?

EQUITY

§ Economic growth in the county is lead by low wage jobs in the food service and accommodations sectors ( 18%)

§ Poverty level of 18% in the county underscores the need to attract higher wage jobs

§ Developers will build housing that generates the highest return§ Cater to those who can afford new homes

(Outside buyers)

§ Increased disparity as local population will be priced out of housing

ENVIRONMENT

§ Conversion of remaining shrub steppe habitat

§ The continued development of floodplains (mapped and un-mapped by FEMA)

AESTHETICS

§ Random suburban style development in existing agriculture areas, esp. open pasture

§ Industries with tall security fencing and their impact on rural character

§ The run-down homes and neighborhoods full of broken down cars and household garbage

§ Are there any developments or practices that you have observed in the county over the past 10 years that you would like to address or make sure do not continue as such over the next 20 years (Contd)?

INFRASTRUCTURE

§ The county & developers have not always worked closely with water purveyors § Not enough information to property

purchasers

§ Industrial solar farm facilities displacing agricultural production

§ Cluster plats in rural areas that affect infrastructure and water

NOT DEVELOPMENT SUPPORTIVE

§ Increase opportunities for economic growth

§ Innovations in forest management (wildfire prevention), renewable energy, recreation, etc.

§ Need for business friendly zoning, land use, and other regulatory tools

§ Trails§ Access points is an issue§ Shrinking size of trails § Preserve historical access

§ Lack of information/warning to public for private development

§ Give people knowledge of zoning protocol changes earlier in the process.

§ Overall improve communication tactics and processes.

§ State government changes to community forests does not involve enough, if any, public comment.

§ Can county create an administrative process to keep county planners in the loop regarding public land projects/planning to represent county interests?

§ Hostility toward the marijuana industry and solar development

§ "I have mine but you can't have yours" mentality

§ Do you have any views within the county that you would like to protect over the next 20 years? If yes, please describe.

§ Three major threats to the views§ Unchecked sprawl into open

spaces§ Dirty air§ Burned landscapes due to

wildfire.

§ The state has invested a great deal in the Teanaway Watershed for ecosystem services and working lands. (2)§ Support this investment by

limiting development and limiting short plats

§ Protecting important wildlife corridors (particularly in shrub steppe habitat) will be critical to preserving habitat

§ Views of the mountains, ranges, hills and ridgelines surrounding the valley floor

§ Views of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Stuart (2)

§ Roslyn and Cle Elum Ridges (no intense logging)

§ Views of open spaces of farm fields

§ Views of the Yakima River and the Yakima Canyon

§ Columbia River

§ Lake Cle Elum

§ Wind farms add to the beauty of our views

§ Let's be open and flexible to allow for innovative and creative ideas

§ What challenges do you think need to be addressed as we plan for the county's growth over the next 20 years?

DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS

§ Development is not a bad thing, but needs to be managed well§ Loss of farm land to other uses

§ Preserve rural character

§ Accommodate population growth while maintaining agriculture interests § (KC Right to Farm – expand this program)

§ How to deal with the existing non-conforming lots and still preserve habitat and rural character

§ Incentives for re-aggregating previous segregations should be encouraged

§ Population density in ALL rural areas

§ Lack of affordable housing options (3)

§ Pamphlet needed for new home buyers explaining how to be a good neighbor

NATURAL HABITAT§ Preserving shrub steppe habitat

§ Particularly for wildlife mobility§ Protecting floodplains

§ For habitat and to prevent damage to infrastructure

§ Reduce days with unhealthy air quality§ Manage forest lands to prevent wildfires

ECONOMY

§ Keep next generation through job creation (4)

§ Support for public land acquisitions§ To support the recreational economy

§ Availability of water

§ Transportation§ Road conditions

§ Recreation and tourism

§ Passenger rail

§ Economic support for parks and recreation

§ Hire Local programs for Government contracts

§ Revenue through increased shopping options (counties cannot plan for retail or office development)

§ How would you prioritize the following?

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5

Ability to accommodate new seasonal accommodations

Expand shopping choices

Introduce alternative means for regional travel

Existing export-based agriculture

Ability to accept new residents into the county

Subsistence based agriculture for local consumption

9 responses

§ Why do you enjoy living in Kittitas County?

SCENIC BEAUTY

§ Variety

§ Proximity

§ Abundant

§ Viewing (3)

§ Availability of sun (climate) (2)

§ Open spaces (2)

§ Beautiful barns

§ Feeling of spaciousness

LOCATION

§ Distance between cities & towns

§ Proximity to Puget Sound

§ ACTIVITIES

§ Working lands § (livestock and cultivated crops)

§ Reasonable access to shopping § (food, household needs, building supply, art,

clothing, etc.)

§ 4 season recreational opportunities (4)

§ Hunting opportunities

§ Rural activities

§ Quiet, safe, public land

COMMUNITY

§ A supportive community (2)

§ Small town atmosphere (2)

§ Freedom from violent crime and gang activity

§ Agricultural heritage continuity (3)

§ Welcoming to new-comers

§ Creative and intellectual atmosphere from CWU

§ People who live here - hard working, free thinkers

§ 63 images

§ 15 votes allowed per person

§ 5 responses (75 votes) by 3pm on April 19, 2017

§ Poll open till May 30th

§ Outreach Strategy§ Newspaper§ Fliers§ Direct Email

§ 4 votes – 1 image

§ 3 votes – 7 images

§ 2 votes – 18 images

§ 1 vote – 14 images

4

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

2

2

1

§ To me home equals shelter, comfort, security, family, prosperity and roots no matter the architectural style or purchase/rent price. Without this element there isn't a need for the other elements required in creating a successful community; income/employment, transportation or education mean nothing if we don't have families who need them.

§ Other than golf (36) or ski hills (59) there is no representation of recreation, motorized or non-motorized.

5936

63

• Would be nice to see some shots of local small businesses in upper and lower county..

• Preservation of open space is the common theme in my photo selection. I would have preferred to see riparian buffers along the streams.

• Photo 17 shows (I think) development within the shrub steppe--we'd like to limit this as much as possible in the future to preserve remaining habitat for shrub steppe obligates, preserve migration corridors for big game and maintain working lands that are part of our rural landscape.

63 - This shows a "rural urban" visual of the city of Ellensburg, surrounded by much less dense rural spaces.

As a majestic gateway to the Puget Sound, Kittitas County is distinguished by its towering evergreen forests that cradle a carefully crafted rural ambience and lifestyle. Interstate 90 is the lifeline of several urban settlements that offer critical services as well as educational and cultural opportunities to county residents. These cities respect the meandering floodplains of the Yakima River and are thoughtfully nestled within the timberland and the shrub steppe ecosystems as well as the (?) agricultural valley.

Employment is mostly tied to the major industries and related sectors of agriculture, forestry and eco-tourism. These are prized, protected and strengthened through innovation, key investments and strategic partnerships. New opportunities for economic development are buoyed by locally generated alternative energy and accommodated in a manner that maintains affordable lifestyles and provides opportunities for better paid employment.

Healthy living is assured through a commitment to maintaining above-average air and water quality, an abundance of locally grown food, as well as increasing options for walking, biking and transit.

§ Non-resident population who are attracted by the county’s rural character and scenic backdrop should partake in efforts to safeguard these very features for the enjoyment of future generations.

§ The high quality of air, water and the natural environment are the mainstays of the county’s economy and should be protected through the careful allocation of limited public resources and enhanced with each new development.

§ Economic opportunity is essential to generating revenue that offsets the cost of county services and infrastructure. These should be pursued vigorously but in a manner that protects local, small scale industries and enterprises, builds on latent recreational opportunities, and establishes clear pathways for more affordable housing and a healthy portfolio of living wage jobs.

§ County resources should be invested strategically into infrastructure and public facilities/services to prioritize access to jobs, active lifestyles as well as environmental quality. County investment should leverage private capital to benefit the most residents.

§ Fair, clear and consistent rules and administrative proceduresprovide predictability, reduce public administrative expenses, and should direct both public and private sector developments.

§ Decisions related to development and public investment should meet the highest standards for equity by not unfairly affecting a single income group or community, and by offering to those impacted compensation that supports an equal if not better quality of life.

§ To govern effectively, the County should be responsive to changing circumstances, informed by an open participatory process and administered through clear communications with the public.

Kittitas County is distinguished by its rural character and lifestyle that ranges from forest economies related to timber and recreation to agro-businesses on the steppes and plains. Kittitas County is a steward of the environment, aesthetics and infrastructure that support rural development and activities. Rural lands in Kittitas County consist of a mix of a variety of residential, natural, agricultural and small scale commercial uses; broad visual landscapes; parcels of varying sizes; small unincorporated communities; rangelands and ranches; and cottage industries. These are designed and managed to co-exist and buffer the county’s resource land uses from the intensity of development in cities.

§ Protecting§ Use§ Character§ Policing

§ Preventing Misuse§ Primary Homes§ Vacation Rentals§ Seasonal Homes

§ Siting § Location§ Buffering

§ Maintenance§ Fire Safety§ Well water quality

§ Utilities § Access§ Provision

§ Capital facilities and County Services

§ Healthy Lifestyles§ Emergency Services