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Powerhouse/Carbon Rivers site remains under scrutiny after code and fire-hazard findings
Summary
Council received an update on outstanding property‑maintenance and fire-code violations at the Powerhouse/Carbon Rivers site; city staff said some violations remain, a fire-hazard analysis recommended changes including reducing blade-pile size and improving water supply, and fines have been imposed by the administrative hearing officer.
Councilors received an update on code-enforcement and fire-safety issues at the Powerhouse site (referred to in the meeting as the Carbon Rivers property) after prior postponement of a zoning action tied to outstanding violations.
Staff said the Planning Commission had recommended a zoning map for the Powerhouse site but the council postponed second‑reading action in May until code violations were corrected. Jennifer Williams, planning staff, briefed councilors that the outstanding issues fall into two categories: property‑maintenance and building-code violations handled by code enforcement, and fire-code concerns handled by the fire department.
Williams said a property-maintenance citation had gone before the city’s administrative hearing officer (AHO) and resulted in a $1,500 fine. A subsequent fire-hazard analysis by a third‑party fire engineer recommended two principal actions: (1) ensure the size and spacing of windmill-blade piles are safe for fire protection and (2) provide adequate water supply for fire protection at the site. The fire department estimated four to six months for the property owner to reach compliance on some items; staff cautioned timelines can vary.
Council members pressed for certainty about whether Carbon Rivers had stopped accepting or recycling windmill blades; staff said they could not confirm with certainty whether incoming blades had ceased and that aerials and on-site photos showed substantial material remains. Councilors asked the city attorney’s office to provide a legal opinion on actions that would enjoin further deliveries if necessary; staff said options include renewed citations to the AHO and filing in city court for fire-code violations.
Councilors emphasized urgency. One councilor noted the owner had worked with TVA and had reported downsizing piles and pursuing water service; others said fines may be insufficient and asked staff to pursue all available enforcement tools. The council did not take immediate enforcement action at the meeting but directed staff to analyze legal options and return with next steps.
