HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1053

BYRepresentatives Rasmussen, Madsen, Walker, Hine, Meyers and Grimm

Requiring a conditional use permit for an incinerator or landfill in unincorporated areas.

House Committe on Local Government

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Haugen, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Bumgarner, Ferguson, Hine, Madsen, Nealey, Nelson, Nutley, Rayburn, L. Smith and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Steve Lundin (786-7127)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT MARCH 6, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Counties are authorized by different laws to plan and zone.  A conditional-use permit usually means an authorization to conduct some type of activity in a given land-use zone if certain conditions are met.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The operation of an incinerator or landfill with an annual capacity of five or more tons, that is located in the unincorporated area of a county, is subject to a conditional use permit issued by the county.  The issuance or denial of such a permit is subject to appeal to the county legislative authority.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Notice was made of the ability of counties to plan and zone under different laws.  The requirement was dropped that the landfill or incinerator be compatible with surrounding areas.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Rasmussen, Prime Sponsor.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    We are just discovering how dangerous landfills are.  Residents near a proposed landfill and owners of nearby property should have a public hearing at which their concerns can be aired.  Some counties already site such facilities by conditional-use permits.  No hearing is required otherwise.  The county commissioners hear any appeals.  Eastern Washington and less dense areas need this protection.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      Let the locals handle this on their own.