CARLSBORG — Despite opposition from Carlsborg residents who want nothing to do with a proposed sewer and wastewater treatment plant in their neighborhood, Clallam County and the Clallam County Public Utility District approved a new pact this week that will lead them to a final decision.
Clallam County and PUD commissioners each voted 3-0 to approve a revised interlocal agreement for the sewer facilities plan and for the formation of a local utility district.
Unanimous approval
Key to the agreement is a benefit analysis and preliminary assessment that will determine how much property owners would chip in for the $15 million sewer.
“People are concerned, and rightfully so, about how it will impact the value of their property and what the costs are,” Commissioner Steve Tharinger said.
It’s unknown when the study will be finished. If a utility district is formed, construction would likely begin late next year.
Tharinger, who is working simultaneously as a state legislator, said the interlocal agreement with the PUD will “help determine some of those costs.”
The county has already committed $4 million to build the sewer. The county needs a sewer for the Carlsborg Urban Growth Area to comply with the Growth Management Act.
Businesses, for example, can’t expand until the state validates the 11-year-old Calsborg UGA.
Too expensive
But many residents, several of whom spoke at the PUD commissioners’ meeting Monday and the county commissioners’ meeting Tuesday, said the costs of the sewer could drive them out of their homes.
Others say more development will mar the rural characteristics of the hamlet west of Sequim.
“Petitions have been turned in, signed by some 200 residents and property owners in the area, who do not want this,” Susanne Severeid of Carlsborg told county commissioners.
“We have not asked for it. We do not need it. We do not want it.”
But an advisory petition was sent to the PUD last year in support of the sewer.
It contained signatures from the owners of 52 parcels within a proposed sewer utility district, which has changed over time.
20 spoke against sewer
Nearly 20 residents spoke out against the sewer, some vehemently, when county commissioners held a public hearing to extend temporary zoning rules for Carlsborg in December.
The county has had interim zoning in place since 2008, when a state Growth Management Act hearings board ruled that portions of the county’s comprehensive plan were invalid and noncompliant with the 1990 state law.
Clallam County is trying to comply with parts of the ruling while contesting other components in court.
“This board, for over 20 years, has had this issue in front of us,” Commissioner Mike Doherty said in response to sewer opponents Tuesday.
“We’ve dealt with many concerns that are being raised now. As you understand, it’s complex, but there’s also people on both sides of the issue approaching the board, the PUD and others.
Issue for more than 20 years
“For some of us, it’s a matter of getting more facts on the table so we can make an appropriate decision.”
Clallam County will spend a maximum of $188,100 under the terms of the revised interlocal agreement.
The money will fund:
■ Responding to comments of the state departments of Ecology and Health on the draft facilities plan.
■ Finalizing the draft facilities plan that the county and the PUD approved last summer.
■ Forming connection and hardship policies.
■ Performing a benefit study and preliminary assessment.
■ Providing public involvement and workshops on the preliminary assessment.
Furthermore, if the county and PUD apply for rural development funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the county will spend $6,300 to develop a preliminary engineering report. The PUD will cover the other 75 percent through a grant.
$20,000 contingency
A consultant firm told county officials that a $20,000 contingency may be needed because of uncertainties of dealing with Ecology, Health and other regulatory agencies.
“This is pre-budgeted opportunity fund money, essentially,” County Administrator Jim Jones said in Monday’s work session.
Mike Kitz, PUD water and wastewater superintendent, said the PUD is following state law for forming a local utility district.
“We’re still in a fairly early stage,” Kitz said.
The PUD will operate the sewer if one is built.
Doherty raised the possibility of nitrate pollution in Carlsborg. The proposed Class A sewer and wastewater treatment plant would replace faulty septic systems and help recharge the aquifer.
Early stage
“The board would be, I think, looked upon rather negatively if we did not pursue the facts further in this issue to make the decision,” Doherty said.
Tharinger on Monday said: “Hopefully, this is the last step that gets us to those decision points.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.