How can we have dignity without a say in our destiny? It doesn’t just happen with density. Give us a vote and let’s have democracy!
CONCERNED RESIDENTS OF PORT HADLOCK!
CLICK HERE TO SIGN OUR PETITION DEMANDING STRAIGHT ANSWERS ABOUT THE HADLOCK SEWER PROJECT
In addition to potential $41,000 hook up costs and monthly ongoing sewer fees, this project will increase property taxes. These combined costs will drive some people out of their homes and businesses in Port Hadlock.
Small group is driving the idea of a sewer
The Hadlock Sewer proposal is being pushed forward by the county and people with vested interests, but the costs are to be borne by the residents as a whole. Don’t believe them when they say you won’t be impacted!
This small group doesn’t represent the entire community!
In the county’s June 5, 2020 Status Report it states that landowners will: “…determine whether they want to proceed with the sewer project and how much they are willing to pay to have sewer service.”
Hadlock Sewer Project confuses community
Few Port Hadlock/Irondale residents support the idea of a sewer in Port Hadlock, especially with contradictory information coming from the county. Most prefer the peace and quiet of this rural community. We don’t crave high density development.
We need straight answers!
Cost estimates keep changing
Overall sewer project cost estimates range from over $100 million to $43 million to $23 million, making it impossible to assess which estimate is true.
And now we read that the sewer system would only last 20 years!
- County documents claim Hadlock landowners will vote on this matter.
- Another document states the county commissioners can decide on their own.
- Yet another official statement implies the project has already been approved. What’s the truth?
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HADLOCK SEWER PROJECT
In the county’s June 5, 2020 Status Report it states that landowners will: “…determine whether they want to proceed with the sewer project and how much they are willing to pay to have sewer service.”
We have the right to vote “Yes” or “No.” It is not a done deal.
- A small group of pro-development landowners, the “Sewer Working Group,” are pushing this idea. However, Port Townsend has a sewer system and yet one-third of its business and residential land still sits empty. There is insufficient demand and no need to open up areas for expansion in Port Hadlock.
- Overall sewer project cost estimates range from over $100 million to $43 million to $23 million, making it impossible to assess which estimate is true. Hook up cost estimates range as high as $41,000 each.
- County documents contain contradictory statements about who is required to hook up to the system. They also wrote that Hadlock landowners have a vote in this matter. Then another document states the county commissioners can decide on their own. Yet another statement implies the project is already been approved to be built. What is the truth?
- In addition to hook up costs and monthly ongoing sewer fees, this project will increase property taxes. These combined costs will drive some people out of their homes and businesses.
- Most residents in Port Hadlock do not support the sewer proposal and yet the project appears to be moving forward without our input, voice or knowledge. Only a few insiders are pushing this whole idea.
- Alternatives to sewers are available at much lower cost if aging septic systems are of concern. Jefferson County even permits the use of composting toilets.
- The sewage treatment plant could be built on what is now a beautiful green belt right next to the backyards of about 50 homes in Chimacum Creek Estates. Who wants to live next to a sewage plant?
- Another disturbing part of the plan is to discharge the treated sewer water right next to Chimacum Creek, potentially threatening the fish and wildlife in this restored salmon-bearing stream.
- Mobile home properties that are zoned multi-family are at risk in this proposal. A sewer system would allow the landowner to build high density apartments on those properties and evict current tenants. Homeowners could be forced to abandon their mobile homes if they are unable to relocate them, increasing potential solid waste and homelessness problems here.
- OLYCAP recently received a state grant to build a 43-unit low income apartment building in Port Townsend- a much less expensive solution for affordable housing than building a $100 million sewer in Hadlock.
Phase I of Hadlock Sewer Plan
Red lines above indicate boundaries of the Phase I – “Core Area.” The gerrymandered red lines skirt the edge of most of the residential areas in Port Hadlock UGA, creating a selection of hand-picked land owners more likely to support the initial sewer project. About 40 acres in the core area belong to government entities (county, PUD, school, sheriff, Public Works). These properties intend to be represented as “supportive” of the sewer idea – thus manipulating any vote on a Local Improvement District (LID) to finance the project. The Core Area also includes vacant lands owned by developers. These people have a profit interest in the sewer project and the potential up-zoning of their properties. They have formed a task force called the Sewer Working Group. This small group of “stakeholders” does not represent the entire community of Port Hadlock.
Note: The yellow rectangles on the map are where the County plans to build the sewer… the upper one is the planned treatment plant, and the lower one is the area where all the leftover water is to be drained…right next to Chimacum Creek.
Map of entire Hadlock/Irondale Urban Growth Area (UGA)
The County adopted land uses and zoning that would allow additional urban development densities and intensities when public sewer connections are available.
The quote above is from Jefferson County’s website. Notice it does not say that the UGA designation requires the Port Hadlock/Irondale community to create high density housing and business development. In fact it makes no sense to do so when Port Townsend has so much vacant land and empty businesses already connected to their existing sewer.
Port Townsend Zoning Map
The Port Townsend zoning map above shows many parcels in yellow indicating areas in which high density multi-family housing may be constructed and hooked up to an existing sewer system. (The north portion of the town is cropped off this map since there are no multi-family zoned lots there.) This is a sensible solution to the need for more varied affordable housing in Jefferson County.
Jefferson County (County) in Washington State has designated the Port Hadlock and Irondale sewer service area as a potential center for County growth.
The quote above is from a consultant’s report about the Hadlock Sewer proposal. Again, clearly stating that growth in Port Hadlock is not a requirement, but rather an option for our community to consider. With an over $100 million price tag for a sewer system there needs to be discussion with the entire community about the potential negative financial impact this idea could have on our local homeowners and businesses.
…the initial pressurized sewer system could be removed and replaced with a gravity collection system in the future once the sewer utility has an established customer base and can finance a replacement that may be better suited for the future population density of the Port Hadlock Sewer Service area. However, the overall cost of replacing an installed sewer system will be greater than if a gravity sewer system would have been installed initially.
If you think that only the landowners in the “Core Area” are going to pay for this I hope the quote above makes things more clear. The only way to pay for this large project is if everyone in the entire UGA is hooked up over time. Then we would have to deal with the fact that the system they started with only lasts about 20 years!
Action Links
Jefferson County Commissioners: to call, write letters or send comments. 360-385-9100
jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us
Port Townsend Leader: to write letters to the editor; 300 words or less, due by 10 am Fridays.
https://www.ptleader.com/forms/letters/
Jefferson County webpage about the Port Hadlock Sewer: to learn more details about the project.
https://www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/1158/Port-Hadlock-Wastewater-System
CLICK HERE TO SIGN OUR PETITION DEMANDING STRAIGHT ANSWERS ABOUT THE HADLOCK SEWER PROJECT
Information Flyer (PDF)
Sewer Petition (PDF)
Concerned Residents of Port Hadlock 