HomeMy WebLinkAboutMJ no MI.docxJulie Geist
43 Paddock Rd.
Nordland, WA 98358
Jmgeist@mindspring.com
Mr. Stephen K. Causseaux, Hearing Examiner
via Nicole Allen
nallen@co.jefferson.wa.us
Patty Charnas, Director Jefferson County DCD
pcharnas@co.jefferson.wa.us
David Greetham
dgreetham@co.jefferson.wa.us
Patrick Hopper
phopper@co.jefferson.wa.us
July 28, 2017
RE: MLA 17-00019
APPLICANT: Austin Smith
126 SW 148TH ST SUITE C100-228
Seattle, WA 98166
Site Address: 9272 Flagler RD, Nordland, WA 98358
Parcel Number: 021204015
Mr. Causseaux and Jefferson County DCD:
The proposed project violates the spirit and letter of many laws and regulations as they pertain to rural residential land use in Jefferson County. In particular, it does not meet the
definition of cottage industry. The owner, Austin Smith has stated publicly that he has no intention of living on the property. His plan is to install a resident employee while he
(Austin Smith), as an absentee owner, runs and profits from the business remotely. This in no way is compatible with the intention of a cottage industry, which is a home-based business.
The home on the property has been vacant since the closing of the purchase on November 14, 2016. It is clear that the home is an accessory to the business rather than the business
existing as an accessory to the home as per the Jefferson County Code below. And certainly, a 10,000+ square foot industrial green house is not in character with the neighboring properties.
From the Jefferson County Code, Chapter 18.20.170:
(n) The cottage enterprise is an accessory use to the residential use of a dwelling unit, and the residential function of the buildings and property shall be maintained.
(o) Any new structure constructed to accommodate the cottage industry shall be limited in scale so that it is in character with neighboring properties. In no case shall more than 5,000
square feet of total building area on the property be devoted to the cottage industry.
Furthermore, locating an industrial growing operation on Marrowstone Island on property zoned Rural Residential is incompatible with the quiet residential way of life. It has already
caused a neighboring property to lose a sale, which is a strong indicator that the presence of the proposed project will lower property values.
Additionally, local law enforcement and the Fire District have stated that the remoteness of the proposed location does not allow for quick response to criminal activity or fire. Use
of propane to raise CO2 levels (part of the proposed project) is dangerous and with the lack of fire suppression infrastructure and slow response time there is a significant danger
of a catastrophic event to neighboring properties.
An industrial operation on this scale is incompatible with not just Marrowstone Island, but all rural residential communities in Jefferson County. Please stop this project by denying
the permits and take action to protect rural residential areas countywide from all such development in the future.
Regards,
Julie Geist
43 Paddock Rd.
Nordland, WA 98358