Washington County (OR) is reviewing Casefile L2500161 — the proposed Jupiter Battery Storage facility. This project would place massive lithium-ion batteries next to our homes.

Yet the County is saying this will be a Zoom-only hearing. That decision denies many of us a fair chance to participate.

Why We Say NO to Zoom-Only

• Safety & Health Risks: Lithium-ion batteries can and do fail. Explosions and toxic gas releases at similar facilities have forced evacuations in other communities.
• Accessibility: Neighbors with hearing impairments, visual impairments, or limited technology access cannot fairly participate in a Zoom-only process.
• Public Trust: The pandemic is over. There is no reason to hide this process behind a screen. A public forum means we show up, together, face-to-face.
• Community Voice: Land use hearings are about more than comments — they are about neighbors standing with their peers in a transparent process.

Our Demand

Call to Action: Require an In-Person Public Hearing

To: Washington County Planners and Officials-

Maitreyee Sinha, Senior Planner — maitreyee_sinha@washingtoncountyor.gov

Stephen Roberts, Land Use & Transportation Director — stephen_roberts@washingtoncountyor.gov

Stephan Shane, Principal Planner — stephen_shane@washingtoncountyor.gov
 
Dear Ms. Sinha,  Director Roberts, and Mr. Shane,

We, the undersigned members of the community in opposition to Casefile L2500161 (Jupiter Battery Storage proposal), write to urge Washington County to require this hearing to be held in person with a hybrid option.

The Washington County Development Code requires Type III hearings to be public and accessible. While the Code does not mandate the format, fairness and inclusivity clearly require that residents be able to appear in person before the Hearings Officer, staff, and one another.

We urge and request that you hold an in-person public hearing at an ADA-accessible venue in Washington County.
Provide a hybrid option (Zoom or similar) for those who prefer it.
Ensure clear notice of the time, place, and access details.
Release the staff report at least one week before the hearing.

The Bottom Line
Washington County wants this to be Zoom-only. We say that is not fair, not inclusive, and not acceptable.

We will not accept dangerous industrial batteries in our backyards without being heard.

No Batteries In Back Yards.

The Undersigned Voters and Residents of Wasihngton County Demand you respond to this request as soon as possible or provide a good reason why a Zoom meeting only meets with the policies Washington County promotes of equity, inclusion, transparency, and open and fair communications.  Zoom only breaches all those goals, objectives, and policies.

✍️ Those who have Signed this petition stand with us in this demand- Washington County hold an in-person public hearing for Casefile L2500161 and protect our neighborhoods.