The Growth Management Act directs that no comprehensive plan or development regulation may preclude the siting of essential public facilities (RCW
36.70A.200(2)). The location and permitting of essential public facilities shall be guided by the policies of the Comprehensive Plan, and subject to the following procedures:
(1) The siting and location policies and strategies of the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan and Countywide Planning Policy No. 4 (Jefferson County Resolution No. 112-94) shall be followed to the maximum extent possible.
(2) Essential public facilities shall be located if possible within land use designations for which the uses are allowed (cf. Tables 3.1 or Chapter
18.18 JCC).
(3) Only if no practicable alternative exists, and then only to the minimum extent possible and in accordance with applicable regulations, may such facilities be located where the uses are prohibited.
(4) A special use permit shall be required only for the siting of essential public facilities under this code.
(a) Process. A special use permit shall be reviewed under the same process as a Comprehensive Plan amendment, as specified in Chapter
18.45 JCC.
(b) Application Requirements. An applicant for a special use permit shall provide the same application materials as for a petition for a site-specific land use redesignation, as specified in Chapter
18.45 JCC. A special use permit shall also include an alternative site analysis evaluating at least two other alternative sites for the proposed facility.
(c) Approval Criteria. The burden of proof shall be on the applicant to provide evidence in support of the application. The criteria for approval or denial shall include the following elements:
(i) The characteristics of the special use will not be unreasonably incompatible with the types of uses permitted in surrounding areas;
(ii) The proposed special use will not create undue noise, odor, heat, vibration, air or water pollution impacts on surrounding existing or potential dwelling units;
(iii) The special use will not materially endanger the health, safety and welfare of the community;
(iv) The special use is such that pedestrian and vehicular traffic associated with the use will not be hazardous to or significantly conflict with existing and anticipated traffic in the local area;
(v) The special use will be supported by adequate public facilities or services and will not adversely affect pubic services to the surrounding area unless conditions can be established to mitigate adverse impacts;
(vi) The location, size and height of buildings, structures, walls and fences and screening vegetation for the special use shall not hinder or discourage the appropriate development or use of neighboring properties;
(vii) The special use is not in conflict with the policies of the Comprehensive Plan, the comprehensive plans of adjacent jurisdictions that may be affected by the use, or the basic purposes of this chapter;
(viii) For special uses outside of UGAs, extension, construction, or maintenance of urban services and facilities is not required, unless no practicable alternative exists;
(ix) No feasible alternative site exists which better meet the requirements of these criteria;
(x) The need for the special use at a specific location is documented, taking into account regionwide distribution of facilities and the capacity and location of equivalent facilities;
(xi) For special uses in or adjacent to resource lands, the impacts on the long-term natural resource management and production will be minimized;
(xii) For state-owned essential public facilities, the state shall provide justification for the facility and its location in Jefferson County based on forecasted needs and a logical service area; and
(xiii) For state-owned essential public facilities, the state shall have established a public process by which the residents of the county and of affected and "host" municipalities have a reasonable opportunity to participate in the site selection process.
(d) Conditions of Approval. If approved, conditions of approval for the special use may include conditions of approval which address the criteria listed above and the following:
(ii) Transportation needs and services;
(iii) Public facility and service needs and availability;
(v) Control of on-site and off-site impacts during construction;
(vii) Impacts on critical areas.
(Ord. 8-06 § 1; Ord. 14-18 § 4 (Exh. B))