Zoning committee approves Hayward site to store display fireworks under conditions including emergency coordination

The Sawyer County Zoning Committee on April 25 approved a conditional use permit (CUP 25-030) for a Hayward-area property that will host shipping containers for storage and distribution of display fireworks and related materials. The permit allows up to 12 containers on the primary parcels, eight of which will be used to store explosive or hazardous fireworks materials under federal oversight, and eight nonhazardous containers on a second parcel that will serve as a visual buffer and storage for landscape supplies.

Why it matters: The proposed use prompted extensive public questions about safety, federal oversight and local emergency planning because the containers would hold low-explosive display fireworks that are regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Key points and conditions: The committee recorded the following conditions when it approved the CUP: - Containers must be painted to blend with surrounding businesses and show no signs of rust. - No more than 12 containers are permitted on Parcels 1 & 2 (8 of those may hold explosive materials); Parcel 3 may contain up to 8 non-hazardous containers serving as a screen or buffer from the road. - A land-use permit is required for the placement of containers; the land-use calculation will treat container area as accessory structure square footage. - RES (the operator) agreed to annually notify the county sheriff, fire chief and Hayward Police Department about the status of stored materials and any changes in operations; the applicant agreed to coordinate annual training with local emergency responders. - The CUP will be tied to the named owners/operators (Hayward Demo LLC, Select Land Holdings LLC and RES/RES Corp); any change beyond those parties will require a new CUP.

Applicant statements: Will Wallace of RES described federal regulation and local practice for remote storage sites used as distribution hubs for display fireworks. He noted ATF licensing, chain-of-custody recordkeeping, and a weekly monitoring requirement under ATF rules. Wallace said remote storage locations are common for the industry and that operators must keep detailed logs of items stored, checked in and checked out.

Public safety and emergency coordination: Public commenter Linda Zilmer asked whether containers would be placarded or fenced; the applicant said ATF guidance discourages conspicuous signage and that ATF does not require cameras, fences or lights but does require weekly inspections and strict inventory controls. Zilmer requested coordination with local emergency responders and annual training; the committee added an annual notification condition and asked for coordination with local emergency services.

Outcome: The motion to approve CUP 25-030 passed on a roll-call vote with all committee members recorded as voting yes. The applicant agreed on the record to the conditions.

Ending: The permit allows the business to operate a storage/distribution hub for display fireworks under federal regulation, with county conditions intended to ensure coordination with local emergency services and oversight of appearance and recordkeeping.