Kittitas County hearing examines request to allow events and larger cabins at Silver Ridge Ranch

Kittitas County Hearing Examiner Andy Kotkamp on Jan. 28 heard an application (CU240006) to amend an existing conditional use permit for Silver Ridge Ranch to allow use of an on-site amphitheater and a recently constructed barn as event space and to increase the size of four approved cabins.

The amendment would authorize wedding venues, reunions and similar gatherings in the barn and amphitheater and would increase each of four previously approved 16-by-16 cabins to about 800 square feet. Staff recommended approval with 19 proposed conditions and noted a SEPA mitigated determination of non-significance issued Oct. 29, 2024 that included 16 mitigation measures; the hearing examiner admitted exhibits 1–18 into the record and closed the public portion of the hearing, saying a written decision will be issued within 10 working days.

Staff planner Mr. Haley told the examiner the application is an amendment to an earlier CUP that originally authorized the guest ranch and a 2002…