Gaston Wood Processing Facility Special Exception ZOX-02-14 History Special Use Permit approved in 1997 Building Permit application, July 2013 Site visits and Notice of Violation, Fall of 2013 ULDC Text Amendment, March 2014 Special Exception Application, May 2014 SITE Distance to nearest residence ~ 1,650 ft. Site Photos Above: View looking into site Right: View looking out of site Applicant Request The applicant is requesting a special exception to allow for a wood processing facility on a 15 acre site located in an Agricultural zoning district with Rural/Ag future land use. The facility processes vegetation into products such as pulpwood, firewood, lumber, woodchips, and mulch. Issues/Concerns Fire Prevention Height of stockpiles, fire suppression system Stability of Internal Driveways Ability to accommodate firefighting vehicles Resolving Code Violations Setbacks, fire break, storage, topographic survey Staff Response Staff has proposed conditions to mitigate the impacts of the operation, with specific procedures mentioned in an Operations Plan and Fire Contingency Plan. The applicant shall also follow recommended storage practices per the NFPA. Setbacks and fire breaks have been proposed for the perimeter of the site Staff Response Internal driveways must be constructed to standards suitable for firefighting vehicles to use A topographic survey has been required Staff Recommendation Staff recommends that the Commission hear the item and recommends approval of the requested special exception with the conditions and bases as noted in the staff report. Bases for Staff Recommendation Wood processing facilities are a type of agricultural processing facility as identified in Policy and referenced in Objective 6.2 of the Comp Plan. Section of the ULDC provides criteria for the granting of a special exception. Staff finds that, as conditioned, the proposed exception is consistent with the Plan and ULDC and will not adversely impact public health, safety or welfare.