RUMOR: City of Sumner is considering permitting an asphalt batch plant
FACTS:Actually, an asphalt batch plant has operated in Sumner for decades, within a half mile of hundreds of homes, businesses, schools and churches. Sumner has also been home to a yeast plant, paper processing facility, and operates a waste water treatment facility, all surrounded by residential areas. Sumner is also home to an existing mineral extraction facility, which has been operating in the city for over a hundred years. The mineral extraction site crosses two city zones: Low-Density Residential (LDR) and General Commercial (GC). The LDR zone allows for mineral extraction, while the GC does not, which was likely an oversight many years ago. That means the hundred year old facility is technically “non-conforming” under current code. The concern of the owner is that if the facility was damaged under current zoning code, the owner could not rebuild. In order to be in compliance with the city code, and to allow for future repairs if needed, the owner has asked for both zones to allow mineral extraction as a conditional use.
That is the issue currently before the city. It is called a zoning code text amendment.
What is confusing the issue is that under State law, mineral extraction, by definition, can include batching facilities. The owner has discussed this as a potential use, but it would have to be separately permitted under a Conditional Use Permit, which would require a public process, including noticing, public hearings, conditions to mitigate impacts, and federal regulation and approvals. There is no application being considered at this time.
More Information: Because the City is already home to an asphalt batch plant, it recognizes the concerns of citizens. Although we generally don’t hear complaints, the existing plant, built under older regulations, does emit some odor on occasion. A representative from the Clean Air Agency met with the City Council to discuss newer regulations that reduce potential for odors, and code provisions the City can adopt to further address any impacts. These are being considered as part of the text amendment.
Because the site abuts the City boundary, the City Council is also concerned that the owner of the mineral extraction site could locate an asphalt batch plant on County land, where it would be currently permitted, without the provisions to reduce impacts to our City. As our Mayor has said, it’s not just a simple matter of whether an asphalt batch plant should be located in Sumner. It’s a matter of how best to protect the long-term impacts of decisions even beyond our borders.
If you are concerned about asphalt batch plants, you can express your concerns to the Council at any time. If and when the City receives a permit for an asphalt batch plant, it would be important to express any concerns you have at that time, so that the hearing examiner has the opportunity to consider and impose reasonable conditions.
