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 to county code last year cleared the way for wind farm construction. Two companies are confirmed to be studying locations inside Whitman County for potential wind farm development.

County commissioners next month will hold a hearing that would allow the county to hire an attorney to act as a hearings examiner to decide applications on such projects.