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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM040912S ~~ toMMt~~ 9~ON~1'"~ Sif$ \ ~\:t) ..... ~ ~ -<I '"; ! \ ~ ?:/ ~IN~ District No.1 Commissioner: Phil Johnson District No.2 Commissioner: David W. Sullivan District No.3 Commissioner: John Austin County Administrator: Philip Morley Clerk of the Board: Erin Lundgren MINUTES Special Meeting April 9, 2012 Chairman John Austin called the meeting to order at the appointed time in the presence of Commissioner David Sullivan and Commissioner Phil Johnson. Also present was County Administrator Philip Morley, Department of Community Development Interim Director Stacie Hoskins, Associate Planner David W. Johnson, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney David Alvarez, Environmental Health Director Jared Keefer, Environmental Health Specialist III Linda Atkins, and Senior Planner, Growth Management Services Local Government Infrastructure Division, Washington State Department of Commerce, Heather Ballash,. . Wastewater Treatment Options for the Brinnon, Quilcene and Glen Cove Local Area of More Intense Rural Development (LAMIRD): County Administrator Morley stated the purpose of this workshop is to discuss ground rules consistent with the Growth Management Act and other State regulates dealing with alternatives for septic systems for the individual areas of Brinn on, Quilcene and Glen Cove. Ms. Ballash reviewed the information in a handout given to the Board, staff and public. Developing a sewer system in a LAMIRD legally requires the protection of public health and environmental safety. It must also be financially supportable at rural densities that do not permit urban development. A financial feasibility analysis should be done when contemplating putting a sewer system into a LAMIRD as it is one of the most important pieces of supporting documentation. Who is going to plan for it, pay for it and maintain it are very important questions to think about. She discussed different entities that have put in or attempted to put in sewer systems and the different results that have occurred. The purpose ofthe legislature allowing LAMIRDS was to recognize the development that has occurred outside of urban areas prior to those areas planning for the Growth Management Act (GMA). Commissioner Sullivan asked about the criteria for the densities not being used to support densities higher than what was in place? Ms. Ballash answered densities are not measured by anyone parcel but by the over all density of the community, consistent with the level of development in that area. Commissioner Austin stated there has been significant decrease of businesses and residents in rural areas, is it correct that we would be able to consider what was in place at a previous time? Ms. Ballash answered, yes, according to the year 1990. County Administrator Morley asked if what was allowed by zoning then is allowable now? Ms. Ballash answered no, it's not what was allowable then but what the physical density was on the ground. Page I Commissioners Special Meeting Minutes: April 9, 2012 Ms. Hoskins stated there are some parcels that are designated LAMIRDS where a septic system could be installed on the parcel and a structure built. County Administrator Morley asked without the ability of sewer, physical density could be increased for the LAMIRDS, so wouldn't the County be able to increase it with a sewer? Ms. Ballash answered that it is possible there is confusion because of the way density is being defined. Density is not by parcel, it is by area. If vested lots can meet the onsite requirements then they become buildable. Mr. Johnson stated there are no maximum designated density requirements for any of these LAMIRDS. Commissioner Sullivan asked if the limits are based on development rather than sewer? Ms. Ballash answered she would have to look in the policies to answer that question. Most communities cannot afford a sewer system. The State park is installing a sewer system through Brinnon and they may be able to help with a cost evaluation. As follow up to today's meeting, she suggested a small technical team be coordinated if the County is interested. Mr. Johnson reviewed the background of the three areas of Brinn on, Quilcene and Glen Cove. He asked if a sewer system could be justified for BrinnOll because of failing septic systems? Ms. Atkins answered that Environmental Health is evaluating properties and there is not a high level of failing septic systems. Mr. Johnson asked what is done for the evaluation of properties? Ms. Atkins answered that they go door to door and ask property owners to walk with them around the property. County Administrator Morley asked if this project was within the scope of Quilcene? Ms. Atkins answered that the request was specifically for the Brinnon area because of its more vulnerable status. Chairman Austin asked how significant is the health risk when there is flooding in the downtown Brinnon area? Ms. Atkins answered it is an issue because a septic system in the flood zone will be impacted in a negative way due to repeated flooding. New systems are required to be built above the 100 year flood zone. Mr. Johnson asked what are the differences between a regular septic system and a large on-site septic system? Ms. Atkins answered that a large on site septic system uses soil for the disembursement of the wastewater and can use a pretreatment device. An advantage to a large on site septic system is it can be conveniently located on a large parcel rather than having individual systems. County Administrator Morley asked what is the difference between a large on-site septic system and a small sewer system? Ms. Atkins answered that it is determined by the level of density. County Administrator Morley clarified his question and asked if it is a difference of treatment, technology or ground application? Ms. Atkins answered no, it is not. Commissioner Johnson asked if Ms. Atkins knew of any place in the County that could be labeled indispensable because of public health or environmental protection? She answered not to her knowledge. Ms. Hoskins stated that there has been a focus on Brinnon because that is where water quality testing and surveys have been done. From the County's perspective, there is not any water quality issues or necessity to protect the public health safety beyond the large on-site septic system in Quilcene or Glen Page 2 Commissioners Special Meeting Minutes: April 9, 2012 Cove area. Based on public health safety, the County cannot justify putting in a sewer system where there are LAMIRDS. Commissioner Sullivan stated there were shellfish closures last year in Brinnon and Quilcene and could that be used as justification? Mr. Keefer replied there are areas of sensitivity and risk, but based on a public health standard, it would need to be a consistent issue. Commissioner Sullivan stated there is wildlife contamination and the human waste is just a partial problem. Ms. Hoskins stated the LAMIRD outside of the City of Belfair Urban Growth Area (UGA) received a letter from the Washington State Department of Health declaring an emergency due to sewage issues and high level offecal coliform. Ms. Ballash clarified the letter was issued before the LAMIRD was in place. Mr. Johnson stated that we may be able to justify a sewer because of the flood zone but it is his understanding that we need to have scientific evidence to back up the justification. County Administrator Morley stated that existing density levels are 30% lower than what could be developed. Existing density levels would be increased if that 30% were developed. Ms. Ballash stated increased development does not necessarily mean the density will increase for a particular area. Chairman Austin asked if there has been any movement for the legislators to make changes in the GMA so that there is a more reasonable way of dealing with installing sewers in areas of LAMIRDS? Mr. Johnson stated House Bill 2267 was proposed and amended. Ms. Ballash stated the Bill did not make the cutoff and therefore did not pass. County Administrator Morley stated that with the understanding of the constraints, members of the community may want to gather together and ask legislators to change this. How do we allow enough economic development in order to reach a sustainable economy? We don't want communities to become small city's, but the danger the County is facing right now is that these communities are going to become dying communities. If a large on-site septic system was developed for parcels, could other undeveloped parcels be developed and use the large on-site septic system that is nearby? Ms. Hoskins stated that a hearing examiner case in 1997 or 1998 determined a septic system did not have to be on-site and could be used by a nearby parcel. County Administrator Morley asked how could Glen Cove be designated as UGA? Ms. Hoskins answered the City could look at what percentage of land would have to meet their needs and possibly expand. Commissioner Sullivan asked ifthere were any staff from the City of Port Townsend that are present and would like to speak regarding Glen Cove? There was not. County Administrator Morley asked if any elected officials or staff present from the Port of Port Townsend has had any issues regarding this subject? A Port of Port Townsend representative said that this is a very significant problem for rural Washington. It is his belief that the public Ports would be willing to partner with Washington Cities, Counties and other associations to lobby for some common sense changes. Something has to be changed. Commissioner Sullivan asked if anyone from Brinnon was present that wanted to speak regarding this issue? Joe Baisch, Brinnon resident, stated the reason the Washington State Park is installing a sewer system is to protect public health, however the County could not find a hard definition for "protect". A small amount of development needs to occur in Brinnon and the community is not equipped with the commercial zoning to meet tourist's needs. Page 3 Commissioners Special Meeting Minutes: April 9, 2012 Herb Beck, Quilcene Fire District, spoke on the subject of funding Fire Districts. Commissioner Sullivan asked if financial support costs can be compared to how much it would cost if a sewer system were not installed? Ms. Ballash answered she would have to get back to him. Commissioner Johnson asked if there is anyone from Glen Cove that would like to speak regarding this issue? Austin Henry, Owner of Atlas Co. in Glen Cove, gave an overview of what his company does and stated that jobs are turned down because their building does not have the space to grow. It is difficult and prohibitively expensive to run a business in Jefferson County because of the lack of infrastructure, zoning requirements and the sewer/wastewater treatment issue. The company could create more jobs if the building they are currently in would be allowed to expand. Unfortunately, because of growth issues the company may have to move outside of Jefferson County which would eliminate jobs for the County. There are a lot of jobs dependent on businesses in Glen Cove being able to grow. It is beginning to be too expensive to work here. Chairman Austin asked if anyone from Quilcene was present that would like to speak on the subject? Linda Herzog, Quilcene resident, stated there are 86 commercial properties in the Quilcene Rural Village Center and she owns one of them. It does not have an adequate septic system and she does not know how to solve this problem ifthere is not enough room on the parcel? The property cannot be used as it is currently zoned because there is no way to dispose of wastewater. Mr. Keefer stated there are a number of different options including an easement with a nearby parcel or a non-conforming repair for the current septic system. A Public Utility District representative asked if a large on-site septic system is an urban level of service? Commissioner Johnson answered it is his understanding it is a community drainfeild, not an urban level of service. County Administrator Morley thanked everyone for coming and stated that County staff can pursue the possibility to lobby for additional options in LAMIRDS. .. , , . " .I , .. .. ..,... . ---'" ATTEST/';/ ~ I _ { C . ~'"'" ~,-y\.C>"'C,,--,,--,,- Raina Randall Deputy Clerk of the Board David Page 4