Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
A public hearing on amending county zoning ordinances drew questions Monday before county commissioners approved the changes.
At issue were modifications to basic lists of what may be allowed in seven specific zones such as light industrial and heavy commercial.
“It seems like it gives sole authority to the public works director and county planner,” Allen Shallbetter of Pullman said.
Alan Thomson, county planner, noted that the planning commission had already approved the changes.
“The reason to do this is we have an obligation to help business in the county,” said Thomson. “This is common...”
“I can assure you the planning commission is very unhappy when something looks gray or undefined,” said Commissioner Michael Largent.
“Is it subject to appeal?” asked Shallbetter.
Thomson answered that it was, pointing out that all administration decisions may be appealed to the board of adjustment.
“I'm questioning whether it is truly legal for the planning commission to have that authority to give to two individuals,” Shallbetter said, referring to Storey and Thomson.
“The planning commission makes a recommendation, the commissioners decide,” said Thomson.
Commissioner Art Swannack pointed out the public works director is an appointee and the county planner is hired by the public works director.
The county, which zones unincorporated areas, would adopt the amendments to expand the scope of what type of business is allowed within certain zones.
The revisions address specific situations such as a property at State Route 27 and Albion Road. A realtor made a comment this spring to Thomson about difficulty in renting/selling a building at the spot zoned as light industrial.
The county light industrial code listings include specific business types such as “hair salon.”
If the type of business is not on the list, it is not allowed.
“Why do we make it so onerous for someone with a business nobody thought to list?” said Swannack.
“We have concerns,” said Barbara O'Donnell, who lives east of Pullman near the state line. “These two people are making the decisions again and again.”
Thomson pointed out that the planning commission meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month.
Shallbetter then said car lots were added to agricultural use areas.
“I did not recommend any such thing...” Thomson said, for the record. “That was brought up and shot down.”
At the conclusion of the hearing, Swannack made a motion to approve the amendments, seconded by Dean Kinzer and approved by all three commissioners.
Thomson brought the matter to the county commissioners earlier this year after which he brought it to the county planning commission, which approved the changes.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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