Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
The verdict is in from the land-use examiner on the conditional use permit request for the Dusty grain storage pads project.
Land-use hearing examiner Andy Kottkamp delivered his decision May 8 in a 12-page document approving the application by the McCoy Land Company/PNW (Pacific Northwest Farmers Co-operative).
The project includes four grain piles, truck scales, utilities and small office space, with an access road off State Route 127, just south of Dusty. The height of the piles would be 65 feet, with PNW, in its application, stating construction would occur in two stages, beginning after this year’s harvest, to be finished by June of 2020 for stage one. Stage two would start after harvest 2020, to be done by June of the next year.
“It’s been officially judged,” said Alan Thomson, Whitman County planner.
Opponents now have 21 days to file an appeal in superior court.
The project is in an agricultural zone.
Kottkamp’s report noted there are 12 homes within a one-mile radius of the site. To the east of the site is Passmore Aviation at the airstrip in Dusty.
Farmland adjoins to the south and west.
Dusty is an unincorporated community.
“The conditional use, and any conditions imposed ... will not adversely affect the public health, safety and welfare,” Kottkamp ruled. “Highway levels of service are not adversely impacted, and the access into the site has been designed to ensure safe access.”
On Feb. 21, McCoy submitted its conditional-use application, with requirements completed March 14.
Last May, McCoy submitted an application to change the site from an ag zone to limited light industrial. They later rescinded the request and applied for the conditional use permit.
Opposition to the project in testimony to the planning commission and public hearings included traffic concerns and environmental impact.
“Dust control presents less of an issue than present use,” Kottkamp ruled.
He noted that a dust control plan, nonetheless, would be developed with Washington state Department of Ecology (DOE) requirements during construction and operations, including oiling roads and making sure grain trucks are covered.
“A number of things to try to prevent dust as much as possible,” Thomson said.
The four grain piles would be set on a 66-acre plot of land 1,500 by 1,600 feet, south of the intersection of highways 26 and 127.
Kottkamp, a Wenatchee attorney who has presided at hearings for eight counties and 12 towns in eastern Washington, presided at the April 25 hearing here.
A conditional use permit request may go before the county’s board of adjustment or a hearing examiner. PNW asked that their request be heard by a hearing examiner who is familiar with the Growth Management Act and other land-use matters.
He was selected by Mark Storey, Whitman County Public Works director.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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