Review of Moscow Development Process
Moving in: Wal-Mart effort puts process in the spotlight
By Omie Drawhorn, Daily News staff writer
Published: 05-27-2006
It could take a year for a large-scale retail development such as a Wal-Mart Supercenter to be approved in Moscow.
And that’s the minimum.
The process developers go through has come into the spotlight over the past year after a series of public meetings and appeals related to Wal-Mart’s application to build a super center on the Thompson property in east Moscow.
The community has at least five opportunities to give input at public hearings throughout the different phases, from the annexation into the city to the conditional use permit process, said Moscow Community Development Director Joel Plaskon.
As different processes are appealed, there are additional opportunities for the public to comment.
Nils Peterson, a Moscow resident active in the Wal-Mart Supercenter debate, said the public process could use some tweaking.
Currently, the initial meetings for a project take place between the developer and city staff. By meeting with community members early in the process, developers could avoid a confrontational setting later on, he said.
“Public process starts behind closed doors; that’s a way to have a combative setting,” Peterson said.
“There is no incentive (for developers) to come and talk with the community in the early stages. We need more conversation and strategizing upfront and a review of the costs and benefits.”
He said a group was hired by the city last fall to help define what residents want and to promote economic and social vitality. NewCities collected public input during three trips to Moscow and was trying to find a way to change the process, but it seems to have disappeared.
Councilwoman Linda Pall said meetings early in the process - either during a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting or in the form of a neighborhood meeting - would be helpful.
“It would be good for everyone in the process to figure out what’s being planned,” she said. “I really hate total surprises.”
The process surrounding the development of the Thompson property began with an uneventful annexation into the city, before anybody knew what might be built on the land.
The annexation was followed by a comprehensive plan map amendment to change the zoning designation to extensive commercial.
The city’s process for development is straightforward. After an annexation and amendment to the comprehensive plan map, the property can be rezoned.
The developer then goes through subdivision preliminary plat and conditional use permit hearings before a building permit can be acquired and construction can begin.
Plaskon said these processes used to be combined, but Mayor Nancy Chaney separated the processes after she took office in January.
“The benefit to combining the processes is that it takes a shorter amount of time,” he said. “It also brings predictability to the process, which is more conducive to development occurring and helps bodies and public talk about developing property.”
Development in Moscow: start to finish
– Annexation and comprehensive plan map change is presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a public hearing and a recommendation.
– Annexation and comprehensive plan map change is considered by the City Council after a public hearing.
– A request to rezone the property is presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a public hearing and a recommendation.
– A request to rezone the property is considered by the City Council after a public hearing.
– The City Council reviews and approves subdivision preliminary plats.
– A conditional use permit hearing is conducted by the Board of Adjustment.
– Developer applies for a building permit;city checks plans for compliance.
– The City Council’s decision can be appealed to district court.
Omie Drawhorn can be reached at (208) 882-5561, ext. 234, or by e-mail at odrawhorn@dnews.com.