Kittitas County advances comprehensive plan update, board agrees to more public comment and night hearing

KITTITAS COUNTY — At a Community Development Services study session on March 30, 2026, CDS Director Chad Bala told the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the county’s periodic comprehensive plan update by a 5‑0 vote and submitted six proposed amendments to the draft.

Bala outlined amendment topics that include requiring a joint planning process with utility providers to improve communication during power outages, permitting innovative sewer systems through formation of rural sewer districts where allowed by statute, incorporating redlines proposed by Commissioner Deneen, creating a dedicated recreation division led by a full‑time recreation manager in either CDS or Public Works, and authorizing agritourism, ecotourism and nature‑based recreation as compatible secondary uses on commercial agricultural and forest lands.

The director said the formal comment period ran from late January through March 2 and attracted about 13 comments from stakeholders including Futurewise, Puget Sound Energy, Friends of Easton, KRD, Easton Residences, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Geological Survey, Manastash Architecture, and local residents. Bala said staff are drafting findings of fact and amendments and asked the board whether to follow “Option B,” which would allow additional public comment and permit staff to amend policies before returning materials for approval.

A member of the public, Jeff Dunning, said his family had been approached about siting a battery energy storage system on their property and expressed concerns that such systems have failed elsewhere and could cause environmental and property impacts. Dunning urged the board to ensure any process to consider battery energy storage systems in county code would be highly public and accompanied by substantial study.

Chairman Cory Wright confirmed materials will be routed to Chief Civil Deputy Stephanie Hartung for legal review. Director Bala proposed setting a hearing on May 5 and taking public comment at the May 19 agenda hearing; Vice‑Chairman Brett Wachsmith said scheduling a night hearing would allow more residents to attend. The board agreed to proceed with Option B to solicit further comments.

As next steps, staff will complete findings of fact, prepare the amended documents for the board’s consideration, and schedule the hearings discussed. Bala also noted a separate development code and critical areas code review opened for public comment on March 25 and runs through April 27, with a joint Planning Commission and BOCC meeting planned for April 14 to address state‑mandated changes.