Changes eyed for Pullman-Moscow corridor

Whitman County commissioners decided Monday to have the planning commission consider reducing the minimum size requirement for commercial lots in the Pullman-Moscow Corridor.

Land owners and realtors from the corridor asked for changes to allow for developments under the current three-acre minimum size.

Realtor Shelly Bennett of Palouse Commercial Real Estate asked for the change to minimum lot size to accommodate a potential developer who would like to site four businesses in the corridor zone.

Vance Frayer, owner of the Garage Mahal storage units in the corridor, said a friend of his from the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley would like to establish a business in the corridor, but could not afford a three-acre lot.

“An ice cream shop, for example, would not need a large spot to set up business there,” said Frayer.

Commissioner Greg Partch said the ordinance, when created in 1999, initially required developments in the corridor be larger than 10 acres. Partch added that was reduced to the current three acre minimum in 2004.

Planner Alan Thomson noted septic system requirements may limit the minimum size. He estimated at least two acres of ground would be needed to accommodate a septic sewer system for an office building.