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Planning Commission recommends Paulsville (Poulsbo) Fire Station No. 76 to hearing examiner despite environmental questions
Summary
Commissioners recommended the conditional‑use permit for Paulsville Fire Station No. 76 (PD‑03‑21‑24‑01) to the hearing examiner. Staff and engineering said the project meets stormwater requirements and a traffic analysis; an adjacent resident and an ecology expert urged stronger protections for Johnson Creek and its wildlife corridor.
Ashley, presenting the applicant's proposal for Paulsville (Paulsville/Paulsville spelling in packet) Fire Station No. 76, outlined a satellite facility on two parcels totaling 4.43 acres on southern Viking in west Poulsbo. The proposed station would be about 6,700 square feet with three apparatus bays, four sleeper dorms and 11 parking spaces; the parcel includes Johnson Creek, a salmon‑bearing stream with a 200‑foot buffer and a 25‑foot building setback.
An applicant representative said the project team moved grading and clearing outside the stream buffer in a revised submittal and that all runoff will be treated and directed away from Johnson Creek. The representative asked the commission to note the project's time sensitivity, stressing work should be completed before the rainy season to avoid a year‑long delay in improving emergency coverage.
Michael Bateman from engineering told the commission the project meets the 2019 Western Washington stormwater manual requirements and that the stormwater and traffic reports adequately address detention, treatment and site‑distance issues. He said flashing beacons are proposed north and south of the access to alert drivers; staff and the traffic analysis agreed a stoplight is not warranted.
Public comment included an on‑site supporter from the applicant/fire department and Jan Wold, who identified herself as having degrees in aquatic biology and fisheries and a background as a forest supervisor. Wold urged siting, drainage and construction practices that avoid additional impacts to Johnson Creek and the wildlife corridor: she recommended directing stormwater east toward Liberty Bay, using pervious pavement, minimizing tree clearing on the western 0.5 acre, avoiding trails or exercise areas in the buffer and directing lighting and generator noise away from the corridor.
After discussion and questions about neighboring parcel lines, contours and screening, a commissioner moved to recommend approval to the hearing examiner for planning file PD‑03‑21‑24‑01 and to authorize the chair to sign the planning commission's findings; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
