Commissioners okay giving planners permit power

The Whitman County planner now has the ability to issue permits to certain construction projects at his sole discretion, after commissioners Monday approved a set of amendments to county zoning law.

Iris Mayes, assistant county planner, told commissioners the changes were designed to streamline the permit process.

The changes allow the planning department to issue administrative use permits for, among other things, cellular tower construction, property setbacks in the Pullman-Moscow Corridor zone, haul roads for quarry operations and farm accessory buildings.

Such projects previously required conditional use permits. That process included hearings before the board of adjustment.

John Kramer, chair of the board of adjustment, said during Monday’s hearing many of the decisions that will now be put in the planning department’s hands were “miniscule details” about the location of proposed developments.

He noted the board gathered for fewer meetings in 2010 than in any other year he could recall.

Mayes said the board often places consistent conditions on the afore-mentioned developments. The code changes approved Monday make many of those conditions law that will be standardly applied.

Kramer did express concern about some of the changes to the rules regarding communication towers.

Under the new administrative permit rules, planners can now approve towers that stand more than 40 feet and struck language-forbidding construction of towers within a half-mile of an incorporated town.

Both Mayes and lead Planner Alan Thomson said public sentiment about cell tower construction has changed since earlier this decade when outcry forced the crafting of tighter rules.

“Now, because people want coverage and they want the internet, they want these communications towers to be closer to town,” said Mayes.

Thomson noted the “overburdensome rules” forced a wireless internet company that was bringing service to Malden to alter its application.

“There’s just not the same kind of anxiety about these now,” said Thomson.

Mayes noted the board will be convened to decide on projects that generate neighbor objections or other controversy.

Thomson said legal notices about the permits will still be published for public review, and anyone who objects to the issuance of an administrative permit will be able to request projects be heard by the board of adjustment.