Commission hearing slated for Versatile site at Steptoe

During their regular session Monday, Whitman County Commissioners approved an upcoming hearing regarding a zone change for 2.3 acres in Steptoe.

Raymond and Connie Oneal of Lapwai seek to open a Versatile tractor agricultural equipment dealership and shop on a plot east of Highway 195 along Scholz Road in an area east of the former Wheel Inn Restaurant.

“We’re a Versatile dealer territory from Spokane to Grangeville,” said Raymond Oneal, indicating their hopes to put a dealership on the Palouse and one on the Camas Prairie in Idaho.

The Palouse location would be at Steptoe, if ultimately approved by Whitman County Commissioners.

The county planning commission has recommended that commissioners approve the proposed zoning change.

“In order to do what they’d like to do there, it requires a zoning change,” said Jerry Basler, Assistant Planner for Whitman County.

The land parcel, totaling 15 lots, was sold in December by the S.O.D. Inc., doing business as Klaveano Cousins joint venture, to Raymond L. and Connie L. Oneal for $50,000.

The zoning would change from Rural Community Residential to Rural Community Commercial Two District.

The hearing will be held April 6 at 11 a.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room in the courthouse.