Kittitas County hearing examiner closes record on proposed outdoor training center; decision due within 10 working days

Kittitas County Hearing Examiner Andy Cotkamp on April 9 closed the public record for conditional use permit application CU24-00001, a proposal for an outdoor training center that would include a shooting range and facilities for law enforcement and search-and-rescue training on roughly 24.7 acres near Vantage Highway.

The permit application, which staff processed under Kittitas County code and for which Community Development Services (CDS) issued a Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance on Nov. 7, 2024, drew several hours of testimony from the applicant and about two dozen residents. Jeremy Johnston, a CDS staff member who presented the staff report, told the examiner that staff reviewed written comments and the application and "finds the applicant has demonstrated consistency with the applicable standards and is recommending approval of the application as conditioned." Johnston said the staff report and associated exhibits were admitted into the hearing record.

Why it matters: The project would create a local facility for firearms and emergency-response training that supporters say would improve first-responder preparedness and bring business to the county. Opponents said the site is important habitat and expressed concerns about noise, lead management, potential impacts to livestock and pets, and wildfire danger — concerns that staff said were addressed in the environmental determination and in proposed conditions of approval.

Details of the proposal and staff review CDS told the examiner the application covers three parcels totaling about 24.7 acres in a rural-working land-use designation and a forested-range zone, with vehicle access proposed from Vantage Highway. The applicant described a two-phase approach: initial site improvements and community-use space, followed by a dedicated law-enforcement area and a clubhouse (each described in the record as not to exceed 3,000 square feet). Staff said the project description also contemplates multiple training sites on local ridges and a potential helicopter landing pad in support of search-and-rescue exercises.

CDS said most public comments were supportive but that some raised issues about lead containment and disposal, noise, impacts on livestock and wildlife (including wintering elk), and fire-safety risks. The Nov. 7, 2024 Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance and the staff report include conditions addressing habitat management, cultural resources, lead containment, fire and life-safety standards, and best practices for shooting ranges; those conditions are in the record index.

Public testimony Supporters — including longtime residents and people who described ties to local law enforcement and first responders — emphasized training, safety and economic benefits. Ben Fabian, identifying himself as a longtime resident, said the facility would "strengthen our first responders' skills" and called it "an economic win" that could bring visitors and business to local enterprises.

Several residents opposed the project or urged caution. Christine McCroskey, who said she lives about 1.25 miles from the proposed site, described the area as "a significant area for habitat management" and told the examiner a herd of elk uses the land as winter range. McCroskey also raised fire-safety concerns and questioned whether the site's proposed activities — she cited helicopter operations, towers and "explosive ranges" — fit the county's description of allowable uses for the zone. Her remarks were recorded as part of the public-comment record.

Applicant response and follow-up An applicant representative and others who identified themselves as authorized to represent property owners reiterated that they have worked with state fish-and-wildlife and fire-management officials, and that they intend to follow mitigation measures and best practices. The applicant told the examiner staff and members of the group are coordinating on lead management and habitat mitigation. The applicant also said some planned power systems would be solar-and-battery-based to minimize generator noise.

Hearing examiner action and next steps Hearing Examiner Andy Cotkamp admitted exhibits referenced in the staff index into the record, heard testimony from the applicant and members of the public, and then formally closed the record. Cotkamp said his written decision on CU24-00001 will be issued within 10 working days after the record closing. He reminded attendees that, under the county code cited in the hearing, an appeal of his decision must be filed as a land-use petition in Kittitas County Superior Court within 21 days of issuance or the right to appeal will be barred.

The hearing transcript and the staff report remain part of the official record for the pending decision.