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Councilmembers urge regulator engagement, adherence to master plan as residents press for soil cleanup
Summary
In response to public comment on Lot 15 contamination, Councilmembers Hedrick, Jensen and Wilson said the city must work with environmental regulators, adhere to the master plan, and protect public health; Hedrick noted the EPA92s Superfund authority limits local control.
Councilmembers responded directly after public comment on Lot 15.
Councilmember Hedrick thanked residents for engagement and said the city understands concerns about property values and health. "The City actually has very little say in how it is handled because it is a Superfund cleanup site and the EPA is the one who enforces that," Hedrick said, while also saying he expected Terracotta would have to move some soil. Councilmember Jensen urged negotiations with the EPA and reiterated the importance of adhering to the master development plan, saying it was time to negotiate with environmental regulators because "once development is done, nothing can be done about the dirt." Councilmember Wilson, who identified professional experience in public health and epidemiology, affirmed that community health is a priority and said she has been meeting with local officials and residents to understand priorities across Ruston and Tacoma.
Councilmembers recorded no formal action at the Feb. 3 meeting on Lot 15; they entered public comments into the record and noted the developer92s application will proceed to the Planning Commission on Feb. 4, 2026.
