30.28.095 Woodwaste recycling and storage facilities, conditional use permits

30.28.095 Woodwaste recycling and storage facilities, conditional use permits.

A conditional use permit is required for woodwaste recycling and storage facilities located within the zones indicated in SCC 30.22.100 and 30.22.110. The following minimum requirements apply to such facilities:

(1) Siting criteria. Woodwaste recycling and woodwaste storage shall be located in compliance with the following:

(a) The minimum site size shall be 10 acres; and

(b) Outside storage, recycling and processing activity areas, parking areas and other outside activity areas shall be located at least 100 feet from adjacent properties used, zoned, or designated for residential purposes;

(2) Submittal requirements to accompany a conditional use application. An application for a conditional use permit to allow a woodwaste recycling or woodwaste storage facility shall include the following submittals:

(a) A site development plan showing all woodwaste storage areas (active and reserve areas), recycled material storage areas, proposed structures, equipment, parking areas, access drives/fire lanes, delineation of existing vegetation, extent of clearing, buffer widths, on-site sewage disposal areas (if proposed), and existing site structures/facilities that are to remain or be removed;

(b) A water quality control and monitoring plan. The applicant shall prepare a water quality control plan which demonstrates adequate protections for surface and groundwater quality consistent with the applicable requirements of the county health department;

(i) A fire prevention and protection plan which contains adequate provisions for the prevention of on-site fires and includes specific measures to prevent the spread of fires and protect adjacent properties. Approval of said operational plan shall be obtained from the county fire marshal prior to conditional use approval;

(ii) A materials inspection plan which will ensure control over the type of woodwaste entering the site. This plan shall include provisions for the visual inspection of all materials brought to the site during placement in the designated storage area and procedures for the immediate removal of waste material other than woodwaste and demolition or construction debris as defined by this title. The operator shall be responsible for ensuring that such material does not enter the site;

(iii) For woodwaste recycling, a requirement for use of specific equipment (crushers, chippers, etc.) capable of woodwaste processing at a rate in conformance with county health department regulations; and

(iv) A landscaping and screening plan which demonstrates maximum retention of natural vegetation around the perimeter of the site and augmentation with planted landscaping materials as necessary to assure site screening capability; and

(d) The applicant shall be required to post a performance security for site reclamation and other security devices as determined by the hearing examiner, including, but not limited to security devices for facility maintenance, water quality control and monitoring equipment, and recovery of fire extinguishment costs;

(3) Minimum Performance Standards. A conditional use permit shall be subject to the following minimum performance standards:

(a) All woodwaste shall be stored at or above ground level. Natural or artificially created depressions in the earth shall not be used;

(b) The applicant shall demonstrate that an adequate water supply is available at the site to sustain necessary fire flow pressure for purposes of fire protection as determined by the applicable local fire district in consultation with the county fire marshal;

(c) The proposed operation shall be carried out so as to avoid the emission of smoke, dust, fumes, odors, heat, glare, vibration, noise, traffic, surface water drainage, sewage, water pollution, or other emissions which are unduly or unreasonably offensive or injurious to properties, residents, or improvements in the vicinity;

(d) The applicant shall provide an on-site leachate collection/treatment system designed, constructed, and operated in a manner that disposes of the leachate when one or more of the following circumstances exist:

(i) The hydrogeologic report prepared in accordance with subsection (2)(b) of this section recommends a leachate collection/treatment system due to site characteristics of topography, underlying geology and hydrology; or

(ii) A treatment/collection system is recommended by county health department regulations, if applicable.

(e) Thirty-foot wide, Type A landscaping is required around the perimeter of the proposed site. All outside activity areas and buildings used in recycling or processing shall be screened from view from the surrounding roadways. Where feasible, natural vegetation shall be used for screening purposes. If the natural buffer is inadequate to provide sight screening, additional landscaping will be required;

(f) Woodwaste and recycled materials shall be placed in piles, and piles must be stored and recycled in compliance with county health department regulations, if applicable;

(g) Woodwaste and recycled material in a pile shall be stored in piles no more than 40 feet high and not more than one-half acre in size. Piles shall be separated by a fire lane with a minimum width of 40 feet; and

(h) For purposes of fire prevention, no more than 40 percent of the designated storage area shall be devoted to active storage at any one time. At least 60 percent of the designated storage area shall be cleared and identified as a reserve storage area at all times. (Added by Amended Ord. 02-064, Dec. 9, 2002, Eff date Feb. 1, 2003; Amended by Amended Ord. 10-086, Oct. 20, 2010, Eff date Nov. 4, 2010; Amended by Amended Ord. 16-013, Mar. 8, 2017, Eff date May 7, 2017; Amended by Amended Ord. 22-062, Oct. 26, 2022, Eff date Jan. 1, 2023).