Council Oks New Law, But Plans Review Later

Thu., Aug. 21, 1997

By Kristina Johnson kristinaj@spokesman.com

The Spokane City Council last week approved a new ordinance that allows hazardous waste to be stored in light industrial areas. But the controversial new law already is on its way back to the city’s Plan Commission for more review.

“We’d like to re-evaluate that,” said Councilwoman Cherie Rodgers, liaison to the commission, who cast the lone vote against the ordinance.

The law allows hazardous wastes such as acids or chlorine gas to be stored temporarily in M-1 or light industrial zones.

Residents and business owners in the Logan area - home to several M-1 lots - complained to the council their neighborhood was becoming the city’s chief dumping ground. Light industrial zones often sit beside residential zones without any buffer areas.

“If you’re storing and processing hazardous wastes, there’s a possibility of spills, fires and a lot of other things,” said Marvin Rubens, co-owner of Metallic Arts in the Logan area. “There is no protection for us.”

Rodgers said she felt uncomfortable approving a law that allows hazardous wastes generated in heavy industrial zones to be stored on light-industrial property.

“This is not a heavy industrial activity,” said Phil Williams, director of the city’s planning and engineering services department. “Most of this is smaller quantities of hazardous wastes, adequately packaged … co-mingling with larger shipments and sending them off.”

Williams added the city was required to pass the ordinance to comply with state law.

Rogers said the Plan Commission intends to revisit the ordinance and possibly recommend changes.

, DataTimes

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