State Challenges Element of Kittitas County's Comprehensive Plan

KVNEWS - By MIKE JOHNSTON

"A state agency overseeing the Growth Management Act [Department of Community, Trade & Economic Development] last week filed an appeal challenging Kittitas County's updated 2006 comprehensive land-use plan, claiming the county failed to designate minimum lot sizes in rural areas in a way that prevents rural sprawl by housing developments.

State and county officials on Thursday said they were confident the issues raised by the state can be resolved prior to both sides going to hearings before the Eastern Washington Growth Management Hearings Board, which received the appeal petition Feb. 21.

A major issue, according to the state, is the county's continued allowance of three-acre lot sizes on rural lands located outside areas that are targeted for urban-type growth. This fails to protect the rural character, the petition claims."