Commissioners prep for land use meeting

At the Whitman County planning commission's hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 16, it was decided that the request for rezoning for a marijuana operation would be sent on to the county commissioners.

Selway Holdings, LLC applied to have their three-acre site on Country Club Road southwest of Pullman rezoned from an agricultural zone to a light industrial zone. The change is to accommodate a site for growing and processing marijuana. Since growing marijuana is prohibited in light industrial zones, Selway will have to seek a variance to grow on the property if it is converted to light industrial.

County Planner Alan Thomson said the hearing generated discussion, with people from both sides of the issue in attendance.

The county planning commission found Selway in compliance with the county code and agreed to advance the application on to the county commissioners.

The planning commission hears applicants and will vet them, but doesn't make decisions beyond whether to approve or deny sending the applicant to the commissioners.

The decision of the land use is now up to the commissioners.

Mark Storey, Whitman County Public Works Director and County Engineer, urged the commissioners Tuesday to do a closed record review hearing and decision, unlike the open record planning commission meeting.

Storey said he was concerned about the commissioners endangering their objectivity.

"You don't want to be starting to create relationships between you and any member of the public," said Storey. "The same can be said of the staff."

Storey noted that there was talk of people hiring attorneys, and the commissioners should speak with County Prosecutor Denis Tracy to make sure they are all on the same page as they proceed.

"If people are already threatening lawsuits and there's decisions around the state on marijuana use, land use decisions, what is our role in light of what we made the decision to do or not to do years ago?" Storey asked rhetorically.

Commissioner Michael Largent wanted to clarify that the public understood that the county commissioner's hearing would be closed record, while the planning commission meeting had been open.

"Is it being made clear in the planning commission meetings to those testifying that it is a closed hearing when it comes to the commissioners?" asked Largent, "That might forestall some misunderstanding by those adamantly opposed or for it."