In 2016, a St. Louis developer proposed the construction of a massive warehouse/industrial complex comprising approximately 2.6 million square feet on a 162-acre site located in the area of Shaw Road and East Pioneer. See here for a brief history of this proposal and its potential significant impacts. Because the project would be located in an urban growth area adjacent to the City of Puyallup, Pierce County processed the application.
Over the next few years, the City repeatedly tried to ensure broad public participation and a full assessment of the project's impacts by requesting joint review status over the project (denied by Pierce County) and a comprehensive impact analysis. Despite these requests, the County issued a determination of non-significance for this project.
Last week, the Washington Court of Appeals unanimously held that Puyallup is entitled under the law to act as a reviewing agency for this proposal, and can therefore proceed with a comprehensive impact review.
“The Puyallup community cares very much about the Shaw/Pioneer area. Thus, the City is very pleased that the Court of Appeals has required Pierce County to respect the City’s right to undertake full-scale impact review of this project,” said Puyallup City Manager Kevin Yamamoto. “This review will allow broad public involvement and determine under what conditions the project can move forward.”
The full Court of Appeals decision can be found here.