HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 04-25-17 Comment Emails Patrick Hopper
From: Catherine Furnia <cmfurnia@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 1:41 PM
To: mjretail@lcb.wa.gov; Patrick Hopper
Subject: Marrowstone Island/Nordland marijuana grow operation
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to vigorously oppose the permitting of the marijuana grow operation on Marrowstone Island which
has been applied for by
Austin Smith/Olympus Gardens, LLC ID3CIEln126 SW 14
8th St. Suite c100-228 Seattle, Wa 98166
Parcel #021204015 APR 2 5 2017
9272 Flagler Road, Nordland, Wa JEFFERSON COUNTY aCD
MLA 17-00019
There are a multitude of reasons that Marrowstone Island is a completely inappropriate place for a Tier 3
marijuana growing and processing operation. I will attempt to cover them all here.
First of all, this is a tiny, rural island. My family has owned property on the island since 1967. The only
"large" businesses allowed on this island are the general store and a shellfish business, which were
grandfathered in when the current zoning was put into place. According to the Marrowstone Community
Development Plan, only cottage industries are to be allowed, and to qualify only family can live on the
property, not other employees. Mr. Smith does not live on the island, and I doubt he has any real interest in our
community. A nearly 11,000 square foot greenhouse is NOT a cottage industry. This is better relegated to
industrial/light industrial areas.
Second, the property appears to be within 1,000 feet of Fort Flagler State Park. I talked with Jefferson County
Community Development today, they are unaware of any local ordinances that would supersede the state
ordinance of a 1,000 foot setback, from property line to property line in the shortest straight line, according to
WAC 314-55-050. Fort Flagler State Park has public playgrounds, picnic grounds, camping, and hosts a variety
of camps for children, including school groups, religious groups, and sports groups throughout the year. This is
a recreation center, and allowing this business will be in direct violation of the WAC.
Pollution, in all forms: Light pollution from the required security will be obscene on this island. If you have any
doubt of this, I encourage you to visit for yourself. We enjoy our dark skies and limited light pollution. I feel
horrible for the neighbors who might have their homes ruined by the security lighting.
Water use and pollution will be a major problem. Marrowstone Island has a mixture of private wells and public
water use. It is my understanding that Olympus Gardens has stated they will use public water provided by the
PUD. That water is provided from wells, however, and given the continuing water problem in Jefferson county,
approving yet one more water intensive business is shortsighted. The outflow is a major problem for our island.
We have a very fragile and limited aquifer. Many people still live on very limited wells, and face saltwater
intrusion. The agricultural runoff, even if it is from an "organic" marijuana farm and processing plant, is
significant. The "organic" fertilizer, and whatever chemicals are used to process the marijuana will eventually
1
4
end up in our aquifer, and in the wells of residents. The land in question is designated as having critical areas
and a fish stream. Again, a light industrial area seems the more appropriate place for this.
Odor pollution is a problem, as is well documented. Some jurisdictions actually require air filtration to deal
with the stench. However, on a rural island, near campgrounds, the distinctive stink of marijuana being
processed will be a real issue. Property values have been estimated to be decreased by 10% when a marijuana
business opens in residential/rural areas.
The island is a long distance from fire and law enforcement. We have a very small volunteer fire department,
but it would be no match for a nearly 11,000 foot structure going up in flames, and spreading to the neighbors
through the dry forest in the summer. We have enough problem getting the sheriff to the island as it is, and
having a marijuana operation, with all it's attendant security issues, will be a bigger problem.
According to WAC 314-55-015-5, the " LCB will not issue licenses for marijuana producers, processors, and
retailers on property that is used as a residence because law enforcement officials must have access tot he
premises for inspections without a warrant. This is in direct opposition of our island development code, which
requires that business owners live on the premises.
Jefferson county ordinances also state that these businesses present an "attractive Nuisance" and that an
"attractive nuisance status being contrary to the quiet and pastoral rural nature of unincorporated Jefferson
county.
I understand that growing marijuana in Washington State is now legal and regulated, but it is up to you to
enforce these laws appropriately. Giving a license to Austin Smith/Olympus Gardens LLC will be a massive
failure of your office. This is a small, rural, quiet island. Allowing this business to be on this island, so close to
Fort Flagler, which is a family and child centered recreation site will be a dereliction of your duty.
These are some of the reasons I am vehemently opposed to the Washington State Liquor and Marijuana Control
Board, and Jefferson County Community Development Office granting permission for Austin Smith/Olympus
Gardens LLC to have a business on Marrowstone Island.
Sincerely,
Catherine Furnia McConnachie
206-546-5992
2 Z
Patrick Hopper
From: Catherine Furnia <cmfurnia@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 1:41 PM
To: mjretail@lcb.wa.gov; Patrick Hopper
Subject: Marrowstone Island/Nordland marijuana grow operation
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to vigorously oppose the permitting of the marijuana grow operation on Marrowstone Island which
has been applied for by
Austin Smith/Olympus Gardens, LLC ID3CIEln126 SW 14
8th St. Suite c100-228 Seattle, Wa 98166
Parcel #021204015 APR 2 5 2017
9272 Flagler Road, Nordland, Wa JEFFERSON COUNTY aCD
MLA 17-00019
There are a multitude of reasons that Marrowstone Island is a completely inappropriate place for a Tier 3
marijuana growing and processing operation. I will attempt to cover them all here.
First of all, this is a tiny, rural island. My family has owned property on the island since 1967. The only
"large" businesses allowed on this island are the general store and a shellfish business, which were
grandfathered in when the current zoning was put into place. According to the Marrowstone Community
Development Plan, only cottage industries are to be allowed, and to qualify only family can live on the
property, not other employees. Mr. Smith does not live on the island, and I doubt he has any real interest in our
community. A nearly 11,000 square foot greenhouse is NOT a cottage industry. This is better relegated to
industrial/light industrial areas.
Second, the property appears to be within 1,000 feet of Fort Flagler State Park. I talked with Jefferson County
Community Development today, they are unaware of any local ordinances that would supersede the state
ordinance of a 1,000 foot setback, from property line to property line in the shortest straight line, according to
WAC 314-55-050. Fort Flagler State Park has public playgrounds, picnic grounds, camping, and hosts a variety
of camps for children, including school groups, religious groups, and sports groups throughout the year. This is
a recreation center, and allowing this business will be in direct violation of the WAC.
Pollution, in all forms: Light pollution from the required security will be obscene on this island. If you have any
doubt of this, I encourage you to visit for yourself. We enjoy our dark skies and limited light pollution. I feel
horrible for the neighbors who might have their homes ruined by the security lighting.
Water use and pollution will be a major problem. Marrowstone Island has a mixture of private wells and public
water use. It is my understanding that Olympus Gardens has stated they will use public water provided by the
PUD. That water is provided from wells, however, and given the continuing water problem in Jefferson county,
approving yet one more water intensive business is shortsighted. The outflow is a major problem for our island.
We have a very fragile and limited aquifer. Many people still live on very limited wells, and face saltwater
intrusion. The agricultural runoff, even if it is from an "organic" marijuana farm and processing plant, is
significant. The "organic" fertilizer, and whatever chemicals are used to process the marijuana will eventually
1
4
end up in our aquifer, and in the wells of residents. The land in question is designated as having critical areas
and a fish stream. Again, a light industrial area seems the more appropriate place for this.
Odor pollution is a problem, as is well documented. Some jurisdictions actually require air filtration to deal
with the stench. However, on a rural island, near campgrounds, the distinctive stink of marijuana being
processed will be a real issue. Property values have been estimated to be decreased by 10% when a marijuana
business opens in residential/rural areas.
The island is a long distance from fire and law enforcement. We have a very small volunteer fire department,
but it would be no match for a nearly 11,000 foot structure going up in flames, and spreading to the neighbors
through the dry forest in the summer. We have enough problem getting the sheriff to the island as it is, and
having a marijuana operation, with all it's attendant security issues, will be a bigger problem.
According to WAC 314-55-015-5, the " LCB will not issue licenses for marijuana producers, processors, and
retailers on property that is used as a residence because law enforcement officials must have access tot he
premises for inspections without a warrant. This is in direct opposition of our island development code, which
requires that business owners live on the premises.
Jefferson county ordinances also state that these businesses present an "attractive Nuisance" and that an
"attractive nuisance status being contrary to the quiet and pastoral rural nature of unincorporated Jefferson
county.
I understand that growing marijuana in Washington State is now legal and regulated, but it is up to you to
enforce these laws appropriately. Giving a license to Austin Smith/Olympus Gardens LLC will be a massive
failure of your office. This is a small, rural, quiet island. Allowing this business to be on this island, so close to
Fort Flagler, which is a family and child centered recreation site will be a dereliction of your duty.
These are some of the reasons I am vehemently opposed to the Washington State Liquor and Marijuana Control
Board, and Jefferson County Community Development Office granting permission for Austin Smith/Olympus
Gardens LLC to have a business on Marrowstone Island.
Sincerely,
Catherine Furnia McConnachie
206-546-5992
2 Z