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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02- Supplemental Full CUP Responses in DCD Form8/4/2022 Full Text Responses to Conditional Use Permit Application Form Page 1 of 3 Full CUP Responses from Community Development Form 1. Planning and design for wastewater collection, treatment, and reuse facilities is being conducted to protect water quality in Puget Sound as well as the health of area residents. The project will allow sewer capacity to match population growth in a cost-effective manner that minimizes potential harm to the environment. Planning is complete and the Department of Ecology Approved a Wastewater Facility Plan in 2008 and an Updated Plan in 2021. Water and wastewater facilities are a Public Purpose Use and are allowed as a conditional use under JCC 18.18.040 3A-1. The request is for the siting and operation of a regional wastewater treatment and percolation pond to served the Porthadlock/Irondale area. 2. The proposed location for the treatment facility is an abandoned gravel mine; the proposed location for the percolation pond is a sand and gravel processing site. Both sites are largely devoid of vegetation. The sites are not readily visible from neighboring properties. 3. Project elements include the following: 1. Wastewater Collection System: Construction of a pressure sewer system for wastewater collection; 2. Effluent Reuse: Land application and groundwater recharge via surface percolation of treated effluent into a rapid rate percolation basin; 3. Wastewater Treatment: Construction of a wastewater treatment facility using a membrane bioreactor (MBR) system that produces reliable Class A reclaimed water; 4. Disinfection: Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection of treated effluent; and 5. Solids Handling and Reuse: Solids and/or decanted solids would be stored on-site before being hauled off-site for handling 4. The only buildings are associated with the treatment plant. The treatment plant tanks would be the tallest structure with an estimated height of 20 feet above ground surface and a steel monorail crane 20 feet above the tank (40 feet above the ground surface). The exterior material of the tanks would likely be composed of painted steel. The percolation pond would be an above grade with an earthern berm. Native vegetation would be planted as part of the project, as shown on the site plans. 8/4/2022 Full Text Responses to Conditional Use Permit Application Form Page 2 of 3 5. Noise and dust would be generated as part of the project construction. Once the facility is operating, excessive noise-producing equipment would be enclosed by noise attenuating covers or rooms. The project will adhere to the County’s noise regulations. Foul odors can be associated with wastewater treatment operations. The treatment plant would be equipped with the ability to install a carbon scrubbers, and would be largely enclosed which would reduce the potential for odor impacts after project completion. The treatment plant site is well buffered from neighboring properties and any odors would likely be diluted by the time they reach the nearest property line. The treatment plant would produce Class A reclaimed water and should have no odors associated with the treated effluent. No odors are anticipated at the percolation pond site or from the collection system piping. 6. The completed project would not result in any pedestrian, traffic or parking issues. The project would not require any new roads, and will not result in increases in traffic to the treatment plant or percolation pond site. It is estimated that the completed project will result in four vehicle trips to the site per day, and occasional delivery truck visits. 7. The proposed project location is not near an airport or airfield, and will not impact any air traffic in the vicinity. 8. Impacts to wetland buffers and minor floodplain impacts are occurring as a result of the project. The impacts are being mitigated in accordance with Jefferson County code requirements, and are described in detail in the Port Hadlock UGA Sewer System Critical Areas Report and Habitat Assessment (ESA, 2022). 9. The treatment plant site is the location of a former gravel mine. The percolation pond site contains an active sand and gravel processing operation on the eastern part of the property. The influent pipeline area is currently undeveloped. The local collection system would be placed within existing road rights-of- way to the greatest extent possible. 10. The Port Hadlock wastewater treatment system is being proposed to support future growth in the Port Hadlock UGA per the 2018 Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan and the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). With the UGA designation, County population growth must be managed to meet the requirements of the Growth Management Act. The project complies with the Growth Management Act by providing the infrastructure necessary to sustain the Port Hadlock UGA. Under the GMA, Jefferson County was required to (and did) develop a comprehensive land use plan to designate where future population growth and development would occur (Jefferson County 1998 and 2004). As reflected in the comprehensive plan, land within the Port Hadlock/Irondale UGA will undergo a certain increment of additional and more intensive development even if the treatment plant is not constructed. This increment of additional, more intensive development would occur because it could be supported, in part, by on-site sewage disposal (septic) systems. However, the GMA required Jefferson County to allow even more intensive land use within its UGA, in order to concentrate development there, to preserve rural areas and open space, and to avoid sprawl. 8/4/2022 Full Text Responses to Conditional Use Permit Application Form Page 3 of 3 11. The project will serve the wastewater treatment needs of the community within the Urban Growth Area (UGA). Wastewater will be treated to a higher quality than the currently exiting on-site septic systems in the area. Improved groundwater quality will benefit Chimacum Creek, as well as other area streams and Port Townsend Bay. 12. The project is consistent will all applicable laws and regulations. The Department of Ecology has approved the Wastewater Facility Plan in 2021. The design is consistent with Jefferson County code and development standards, and will obtain all applicable permits for construction and operation, including reclaimed water and wastewater permit and standards compliance. The project will also comply with the State Environmental Policy Act. 13. The provision of sewer service is consistent with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan. The policies in the plan state that urban development must be accompanied by urban infrastructure and services, in compliance with the State Growth Management Act. The availability of sewer facilities is a precondition to developing inside the UGA at urban densities or standards.