HomeMy WebLinkAboutUpdate Documents - Development ServicesDEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
264 West Division Ave. 9 PO Box 37
Ephrata, WA 98823
(GRANT COUNTY'
WASHINGTON
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Development Services Update
Weeks of August 17-28, 2026
Update: August 31, 2026 - 9:30-10:00 a.m.
Chair and Commissioners:
PLANNING DIVISION
(509) 754-2011 Ext. 2501
Plan ningDivision@grantcountywa.gov
Over the past two weeks, Development Services continued work on the County's comprehensive
planning program, Urban Growth Area coordination, renewable -energy project review,
shrubsteppe mitigation planning, Tribal consultation, and intergovernmental coordination.
Comprehensive Planning and Growth Management
Staff met with Nexus Planning Services to continue work on the 2027 Comprehensive Plan
Update. The discussion focused on maintaining momentum on the periodic -update process and
coordinating the County's planning priorities and deliverables.
Staff also met with Moses Lake Public Works regarding the planning and provision of City
services within the Urban Growth Area. In addition, staff met with the City of Quincy to discuss
Urban Growth Area issues and prospective data -center siting. These discussions are important
to ensure that future growth, infrastructure capacity, land -use designations, and service -
extension decisions are coordinated among the County and its incorporated cities.
Renewable Energy and Transmission
Development Services continued significant work on renewable -energy projects and related
infrastructure issues.
Staff participated in the Quincy Solar groundbreaking event and continued review of the Royal
Slope Solar project, including a PA review and recurring federal environmental coordination
under NEPA, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.
Staff also met regarding the proposed Blue Crescent Solar project near Electric City. The
proposal contemplates a potential 500-megawatt solar facility and will require careful
coordination on land use, environmental review, infrastructure, and community considerations.
In addition, staff participated in the second meeting of the Department of Commerce -led
Electricity Transmission Advisory Group. The group is considering development of a draft
ordinance framework for transmission -line facilities. This work has statewide implications and
may help inform future County policy and code considerations for major transmission
infrastructure.
"To foster a thriving, resilient, and safe community through Innovative planning, efficient building processes, and robust fire prevention measures. "
Mitigation and Natural Resources
Staff participated in the sixth Interagency Review Team meeting for the Columbia Basin
Shrubsteppe Mitigation Bank. The mitigation -bank effort remains important for addressing
impacts to shrubsteppe resources while providing a more coordinated and predictable mitigation
pathway for qualifying development projects.
Staff also met with Douglas County Commissioners and staff to discuss renewable -energy
development, shrubsteppe mitigation, mitigation banking, and related regional -policy issues.
The discussion provided an opportunity to compare approaches and identify areas where
counties may benefit from continued coordination.
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Staff conducted an on -site visit for the Royal Slope Solar project with representatives of the
Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. The visit focused on review and discussion of
cultural -resource sites GR4692 and GR4693.
The site visit and continued federal coordination support the County's efforts to ensure that
cultural -resource issues are identified early, Tribal concerns are meaningfully considered, and
project review remains well documented.
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Development Services held a Planning staff meeting to coordinate current workload, active
applications, project priorities, and upcoming hearing and public -process matters.
Staff also participated in a special Hearing Examiner hearing and in mandatory Development
Services staff training on the True Colors communication framework, facilitated by Clear Risk.
The training supports stronger internal communication, collaboration, and customer service
across the Department.
Finally, staff participated in the LEAD Summit planning meeting and the Moses Lake School
District Long Range Facility Planning Committee meeting. These meetings provide opportunities
to remain engaged in regional economic -development, community -facility, and long-range
planning discussions.
No Board action is requested at this time. Staff will continue to bring forward matters requiring
policy direction, intergovernmental coordination, or Board consideration.
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