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Residents press West Richland council to curb aerial fireworks and ask for transparency on possible data centers
Summary
Residents urged the West Richland City Council to restrict aerial and mortar fireworks, citing fire danger and rising homeowner insurance, and raised concerns about a possible data center in the Lewis and Clark Ranch area; council members promised to discuss options and to require transparency if an application is filed.
Residents filled both in-person and virtual public-comment periods to press the West Richland City Council for stronger fireworks rules and to raise alarm about the prospect of data centers in the Lewis and Clark Ranch subarea.
At the first public comment period, Jerry Bogs summarized a recent city survey and told the council “51% of the residents want either more restrictive regulations or a total ban compared to 44% who want less restrictive regulations or simply to keep them as they are.” Anna Kessie, citing an industrial hygienist she quoted as Megan Kelly, warned about continuous low-frequency electromagnetic fields and other health and noise impacts she associated with data centers: “Data centers require extensive electric infrastructure. These systems use low frequency and electromagnetic fields continuously,” Kessie read.
Several speakers urged specific steps on fireworks: Deborah Humphre asked the council to stop aerials and mortars and allow only fountains and sparklers on green areas, suggested limiting sales to adults 18 and older, and proposed a centralized, professionally managed display at the racetrack as an alternative. Jennifer Hamlin (virtual) said homeowners’ insurance in the area has tripled and called on council to move quickly, saying the city faced a heightened fire-danger year in 2025 and that neighboring cities (Kennewick and Richland) had supported a ban on aerial fireworks.
Speakers recounted local fire incidents. Fred Parton described a recent structure fire that required mutual aid and said that had it occurred on July 4 the fire department resources would have been strained. Several residents asked the council to take steps before the next 4th of July.
Council members responded that no application for a data center had been filed at this time and that any proposal would undergo public review. Council Member Kate Moran said she is “done with fireworks” after recent fires and insurance concerns and said staff and council will bring options to an upcoming workshop. Mayor Fred Brink and other council members emphasized transparency and public engagement should any large development be proposed in the annexed subarea.
The council did not adopt new fireworks regulations at the meeting; members said they will continue discussions and consider potential code clarifications and targeted restrictions in future workshops.
What to watch: Council scheduled a workshop on May 12 to further consider fireworks regulations and related code options. If an application for a data center is filed, staff and council said it will be processed with public notice and opportunities for comment.
