Chapter 18.160
SITING ESSENTIAL PUBLIC FACILITIES
Sections:
18.160.040 Essential public facilities review process.
18.160.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a process to site essential public facilities (EPFs). The process involves the community and identifies and minimizes adverse impacts. [Ord. 2020-02 § 2 (Exh. F).]
18.160.020 Definition.
“Essential public facilities” are those facilities that are typically difficult to site, such as airports, state education facilities, state and local correctional facilities, state or regional transportation facilities, solid waste handling facilities, and in-patient facilities including substance abuse facilities, mental health facilities, and group homes not falling under the purview of fair housing laws, such as adult correctional work release facilities; and those facilities appearing on the list maintained by the State Office of Financial Management pursuant to RCW 36.70A.200(4). [Ord. 2020-02 § 2 (Exh. F).]
18.160.030 Applicability.
A. Listed EPFs. All EPFs listed in CCC 18.160.020 shall be reviewed through the EFP review process.
B. Unlisted Facilities. The planning manager shall make a determination that a facility be reviewed pursuant to this section based on the following criteria. The facility is a type difficult to site because of one of the following:
1. The facility needs a type of site of which there are few sites;
2. The facility can locate only near another public facility;
3. The facility has or is generally perceived by the public to have significant adverse impacts that make it difficult to site;
4. The facility is of a type that has been difficult to site in the past;
5. It is likely that the facility will be difficult to site; or
6. There is a need for the facility and Columbia County is in the facility service area. [Ord. 2020-02 § 2 (Exh. F).]
18.160.040 Essential public facilities review process.
A. All EPFs shall comply with the provisions of this chapter. An EPF shall require a conditional use permit in all zones of the county and applications shall conform to Chapter 18.80 CCC.
B. The application shall include a public participation plan designed to encourage early and ongoing public involvement in the siting decision and to assist in determining possible mitigation measures.
1. Public involvement shall be ensured through the use of timely press releases, newspaper notices, public information meetings, and public hearings.
2. Informational public meetings will be held within the county. The number of meetings shall be set by the planning director consistent with the size, complexity and estimated impacts of the proposal.
3. The director shall determine the format and location(s) for the meetings, and shall require that public notice and meeting summaries acceptable to the county shall either be prepared or paid for by the EPF sponsor.
C. An advisory project analysis and site evaluation committee composed of citizen members and government representatives selected to represent a broad range of interest groups will be appointed by the director. The committee shall develop specific siting criteria for the proposed project and identify, analyze and rank potential project sites if possible. The committee shall also establish a reasonable time frame for the completion of the task.
D. An applicant may have one or more alternative sites considered during the same process.
E. The director has the authority to require the consideration of sites outside the county. Alternative sites shall cover the service area of the proposed facility.
F. An analysis of the facility’s impact on county finances may be requested with mitigation of adverse impacts required.
G. The following criteria shall be used to make a determination on the application:
1. The applicant shall provide a justifiable need for the essential public facility and its location in Columbia County.
2. The impact of the facility on the surrounding uses and environment, the county, and, if applicable, the region.
3. Whether the design of the facility or the operation of the facility can be conditioned, or the impacts otherwise mitigated, to make the facility compatible with the affected area and the environment.
4. Whether the factors that make the facility difficult to site can be modified to increase the range of available sites or to minimize impacts in affected areas and the environment.
5. Whether the proposed essential public facility is consistent with the Columbia County comprehensive plan.
6. If a variance is requested, the proposal shall comply with CCC 18.05.050, Variances.
7. Essential public facilities shall also comply with all other applicable city and state siting and permitting requirements. [Ord. 2020-02 § 2 (Exh. F).]
18.160.050 Burden of proof.
The applicant has the burden of proving that the proposed use meets all relevant criteria set forth in this title. [Ord. 2020-02 § 2 (Exh. F).]
18.160.060 Decision.
The approval body may approve an application for an EPF, approve with conditions, or require modification of the proposal to comply with specified requirements or local conditions. An application may be denied if the placement of the use would be unreasonably incompatible with the surrounding area or incapable of meeting the criteria required for approval or with specific standards set forth in this code. [Ord. 2020-02 § 2 (Exh. F).]