State fines developer $72,000 for water quality violations at Lacey townhomes site
A Lacey development that initially drew the ire of neighbors has now crossed the line with the state.
The state Department of Ecology announced Tuesday that it has fined Milestone Companies $72,000 for multiple water quality violations during a year of construction at the Woodbrook Townhomes project in Lacey.
The 124-unit project is on 37th Avenue Southeast, west of College Street.
Brandon Smith, a managing member of the east Pierce County-based Milestone, declined to comment Tuesday. Milestone has 30 days to appeal the fine to the state Pollution Control Hearings Board, according to Ecology.
State officials say that on at least 12 occasions between September 2020 and October 2021 polluted stormwater was discharged from the development site, despite warnings and technical assistance provided by Ecology and the city of Lacey.
The polluted stormwater included some that was mixed with paint and concrete.
In addition, the company failed to report the violations, or follow best management practices required under its construction stormwater permit, according to the state.
Other violations included failing to notify Ecology of high sediment discharges, unprotected inlets, unmaintained silt fences, destabilized soils and discharge of unpermitted septic waste to groundwater.
Lacey’s approval of the townhomes in 2019 was appealed by the nearby Schilter Farm homeowners association because of concerns about traffic, but after the Lacey hearings examiner ruled against them, the HOA and the developer worked out their own agreement, The Olympian reported.
This story was originally published January 26, 2022 at 5:45 AM.
