Kennewick homeowners all shook up over blasting. Council delays halting developer explosions

Homeowners in a south Kennewick neighborhood have asked the city council to stop nearby blasting that’s rattling their homes and their nerves.

They’ve discovered cracks in their houses since the explosions began earlier this winter to shatter the basalt and allow grading of land for the second phase of the South Hills Estate housing project.

They’ve turned in a petition to the city with 88 signatures, the majority of them people who live nearby the proposed subdivision expansion, and photos of damage to houses.

“I don’t think anyone has the right to shake my house to benefit themselves,” said former City Councilman Paul Parish, who retired in December, and lives near the blasting zone.

He’s not happy with the city’s response to neighbors.

The council heard complaints from neighbors during a public comment period last week and then held a special meeting Tuesday night to consider an emergency moratorium to halt the blasting for up to six months.

It would be a temporary measure while the city considers developing stricter blasting regulations.

Tuesday, the council voted unanimously to postpone a moratorium vote until March 3 in the hopes that developer Ron Asmus and neighbors of his development could reach an agreement among themselves.

South Kennewick housing development

City staff said Asmus is offering to repair damaged sheet rock in neighborhood homes after blasting is concluded, but an agreement with neighbors has not been reached.

But Parish said the neighborhood should not be subjected to nerve-jarring blasting for more weeks.

Parish said he expects blasting to continue twice a week for about a month. He lives on Reed Street, which will be extended up the hillside and more South Hills Estate houses built along the extension.

Previous excavation has been done in the area without blasting, he said.

“It is all about the dollar amount because blasting is the cheaper way to develop the subdivision,” Parish told the council.

Alan Kowalski, who lives on 47th Court, told the council he has cracks in his foundation and garage ceiling.

He does not oppose development, but it should not come at a risk to other’s property, he said.

The blasting has been particularly stressful for his neighbors from Bosnia and Jordan, who take cover during the explosions, he said.

Kevin Tucker, who lives on Reed Street, said when the first blast went off a large picture fell off his wall.

“I thought I was in an earthquake,” he said.

He estimates that he now has 350 to 400 feet of cracks in his shop and 100 feet of cracks in his house. There were no cracks before the blasting started, he said.

When he built the shop he had the option of blasting rock, but instead opted to dig almost 20 feet into the hillside so the shop would not block the views of neighbors.

Blasting laws

Blasting has not been an issue previously in the city so city code does not directly address it, although that may change now, according to staff.

The city has adopted the International Fire Code which has some provisions covering blasting, said city manager Marie Mosley. Washington state Department of Labor and Industries also requires licenses for using explosives and has safety standards.

The blasting being done by Barnes Inc. for Asmus appears to be in compliance with the fire code and state regulations, Mosley said.

Blasts are measured with equipment similar to a seismograph and have been within limits, staff said.

Residents are notified of the approximate time of blasts. Since blasting has begun, the area where people are notified has been expanded.

Science says the detonations should not be causing damage, said Councilman John Trumbo.

“But science says one thing. Sheetrock says another,” he said. “The property owners make a strong case that something needs to be done.”

The solution may be to finish the blasting as soon as possible and then the developer should fix the sheet rock, he said.

Mayor Don Britain agreed, saying that it would be good to have the developer’s agreement in front of the council next week.

Asmus has a reputation as being “super reliable,” said Councilman Steve Lee.

Lee said he hesitates to punish a developer who is doing a good job or to discourage development in Kennewick.

The March 3 council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 210 W. Sixth Ave.