CU24-028 BOC Order - Laserfiche WebLink

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Exhibit A Applicant seeks to justify that the mulching operation is a primary supplier of farm uses, and that there is a coinciding use of the property as a storage space for logs sold for lumber production does not primarily supply farming operations. Applicant's justification of this use is that the logs sent to lumber mills spend up to two weeks on the property in storage, but that they do not spend much time beyond this on the Subject Property. Applicant identifies the staging area dedicated to storage of logs for lumber and stated it would take up no more than 6,000 square feet of the area dedicated to the proposed use (which the applicant calculated as 9% of the total area). However, apart from the 9%, a significant portion of the property is used for vehicles and equipment that are used for the tree services and enter and exit the property daily. Applicant also states that they only uses wood debris than cannot be otherwise sold to lumber mill. Applicant also states that he uses the online service "Chip Drop" to find local property owners where MVTS can drop the wood chips off at. Applicant's proffered evidence of the use of "Chip Drop" undermines Applicant's statement that they are primarily a supplier of agriculture needs. The Board found that the Applicant does not satisfy the requirements of MCC 17.136.060(D) because the record does not demonstrate mulching in conjunction with farm use is the "commercial activity" taking place because any mulching operations on the property are merely incidental, relatively infrequent, and occur only because of the Applicant's need to store and destroy debris related to Applicant's tree trimming business. There is insufficient evidence to demonstrate how MVTS is primarily a customer or supplier of farm uses, instead the Board finds that MVTS is primarily a a tree service typically performing work for local jurisdictions and clearing trees for various construction projects. The criterion is not met. (b) The commercial activity must enhance the farming enterprises of the local agricultural community to which the land hosting that commercial activity relates. The applicant must establish that the mulching operation enhances the farming enterprises of the local agricultural community. In other words, does the proposed conditional use support or benefit existing agricultural activities. In the Application, Applicant provides supplemental information discussing the role and uses of mulch in agricultural operations, including the retention of moisture and as padding for animals. Applicant argues that providing mulching products to local farmers will enhance their operations in various ways. Applicant supplied additional information in the form of attestations by local farming operations that receive mulch from -the Applicant to support its position that the commercial activity enhances local farming enterprises. CU 24-028 - ORDER Klopfenstein Page 4