Seattle’s Austin Smith, who now owns Olympus Gardens LLC, with a Tier 3 marijuana processing operation in Silverlake, on March 7, filed a request with Jefferson County for a cottage-industry permit to process recreational marijuana inside a 10,080-square-foot, 23-foot-tall greenhouse at 9272 Flagler Road in Nordland.

After residents of Marrowstone Island voiced displeasure to Jefferson County commissioners during their May 1 board meeting about the prospect of a marijuana-processing business setting up shop in their neighborhood, Jefferson County’s Department of Community Development chose to require a public hearing on the proposal.

That hearing is set for 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 27 at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

The Leader made contact with Smith, through his representative Kevin Coker, and submitted a series of questions to Smith via email. His comments have been edited for Leader style, but not content.

Q: What are your history and qualifications in the industry?

A: I was an electronic technician with an enlisted surface warfare specialist designation and an enlisted air warfare specialist designation. While on sea duty, I was deployed to the Persian Gulf and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. After my sea duty, I was stationed overseas in Italy for three years before I was honorably discharged.

I have a background in medical marijuana, extensive knowledge in the field and want to pursue farming in Jefferson County, using sustainable and environmentally responsible methods for a successful business, bringing much-needed tax dollars to our county.

What was it about this specific site on Marrowstone that made it best suited for the needs of a marijuana processor, such as what you’re looking to set up?

First and foremost, the county has a clear and fair ordinance for legal medical/recreational farms. In addition, the people of Jefferson County were heavily in favor of proposition I-502. The property I was looking to purchase in Jefferson County needed to be a secluded lot, preferably in the heart of the Olympic rain shadow. I wanted a large lot, 8-10 acres, preferably nestled in amongst other famers. In addition, the area seemed very liberal, being that the closest grocery store has a pot shop next door. It’s a perfect fit.

What were the chief concerns that were expressed by the folks who attended your community meeting (on May 15), and what responses were you able to offer?

I think the members of the community responded well to the meeting, in hearing the great lengths I’ve gone to, to have zero impact on neighbors and a positive impact on the community. Aside from family, we’ve had multiple people from the island already volunteer to help crop the plants, when they have matured. So, the same people that live on the island would be working with us on the island.

Why did you purchase this license from a company, Olympus Gardens, that reportedly had six violations, including two written warnings and four fines?

First, I would recommend you do more research on the process with the state. I do not have time to educate you on the specifics, as they are both detailed and lengthy. Licenses don’t go up for sale. You have to dig deep to find one. The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board had one very small window for producer licenses, and only had a small amount to authorize. It was a two-year process to acquire my license, and when this process started, there was one fine for looking in the quarantine area during the 24-hour period of quarantine. I have no idea why he did that. I’m not Micheal Lavallee.

What would you say to folks who still have concerns about the potential environmental and cultural impacts of your business on their neighborhood?

There will be zero environmental or cultural impact on the island. As far as environmental goes, our top drip irrigation system has no waste. As far as chemicals go, they are not on the Washington State University [Pesticide Information Center Online] list, and therefore are prohibited. In accordance with the PICOL list, we use mostly organic and natural sprays. Culturally, Marrowstone Island has been farmed since its original homesteading days. Dozens of families have moved here over the last 150 years, cultivating the forest for timber, growing crops, planting orchards, raising livestock, harvesting and planting shellfish, fishing and so on. It seems to me that the addition of a greenhouse to grow another cash crop is only part of the logical progression of utilizing our local resources in a responsible way.

On other issues

Water: The PUD is providing water, so there is no extraction from the aquifer, and all stormwater that currently falls on the site, to infiltrate and recharge the aquifer, will continue to do so, as shown by the stormwater engineering plan we submitted. The plants are grown in a closed hydroponic system, where the state-approved nutrients feed the plants through a drip system, and there is no runoff.

Odor: We are using both a natural biodegradable “fog” system, that molecularly breaks down odor, and then a carbon-scrubbing filtration system, that cleans the air before exhaust. I was told by an independent engineer that you could stand directly outside the exhaust, and you will smell nothing. Neither of these systems are required by regulating agencies. I am doing so at significant additional cost because, in my opinion, it is the right thing to do.

Noise: The fan system being used is state-of-the-art, as are many of the features. Standing outside the building near the fan, two people can carry on a conversation. Anyone beyond a few dozen feet would have difficulty hearing anything from the system. Fans are 48 in the greenhouse. Schaeffer is the brand. They are the best and quietest.

Light pollution: A light deprivation system, that is computer-controlled, extends a curtain above and around the interior of the greenhouse, eliminating light. The system cost over $15,000, and was not required by the state or local code. NextGen light deprivation systems keep 100 percent of the light in or out, depending on the light schedule and time of day, eliminating light intrusion.

Cameras/security: The infrared cameras are placed as per law, and directed into the fencing area and greenhouse, not out to adjacent areas, and use no additional lighting. There are no armed guards.

Processing: No chemicals are used in the processing of the plant material. Mechanical spinning and compression only.

Traffic: There will only be two to three vehicles used by my family. There will be small amounts of traffic, as with most businesses, for delivery.

Structure: Clearly, the current code allows for home businesses, including ancillary structures such as “barns.” Our greenhouse is a single enclosed structure, with two smaller roof lines and two larger roof lines, at only 60 percent of the allowed height. If you look at the county aerial views, you will find what looks like a large chicken house only a mile away to the southeast, it spans over 125 feet in length as a single structure, and homes are far larger with far greater impact.

Screening: We are complying with all the required fencing and vegetative screening. We have installed a 6-foot-tall fence at the road, and will be planting native variety trees to infill the few gaps on that property line, and have a full mature forest canopy along the other three edges of our property, that reaches over 50 feet in height.

There are many more issues, including public notice and other items, that are squarely in the county and state jurisdiction, and we are complying with them all. The Hearings Examiner will hold an open pubic meeting June 27 at 1 p.m. in the Jefferson County Courthouse, and will review all comments, law and local codes before ruling.

We do understand that fear has driven many to false conclusions, and we have tried to get the word out about what we are legally pursuing as a business, and how we have invested tens of thousands dollars in additional costs to mitigate any impact on neighbors, and my own residence on the site. I have stated categorically that we want the business to operate in such a way as to be unnoticeable by our neighbors.