Planning fees increase for big project proposals

An increase in the fees for conditional use permits on construction projects valued at more than $5 million was approved Monday by Whitman County commissioners.

Such projects will now pay the county based on the amount of time and legal fees associated with issuing a conditional use permit. Prior to the change, the fee for such permits was capped at $800 outside the Pullman-Moscow Corridor and $1,500 inside the corridor.

The new fees were designed to offset the increased costs associated with the intricate workload required to permit large energy projects like industrial wind farms.

Revisions...