By David Johnson“Some people argue that a new shopping center, regardless of where it's located, represents continuation of the kind of retail sprawl that threatens to destroy the environment and quality of life here?”
Of the Tribune
MOSCOW -- While dispute over a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter and other retail development continues to stew on the east side of this Latah County town, a potentially bigger battle is brewing on the western edge where the Moscow city limits and the border between Idaho and Washington are the same.
The site is a 110-acre parcel on the north side of the Moscow-Pullman Highway currently targeted for a shopping center that could include a Lowe's home improvement center, two additional big-box stores and eight smaller retail outlets.
The project, say observers on both sides of the border, could signal the start of a domino march of retail motor business construction along the eight-mile stretch between Moscow and Pullman.
The possible boom is fueled by a pending five-lane highway-improvement project, increased demand for retail-shopping options and a brand new welcome mat recently laid out by Whitman County officials hoping to tap into a bonanza of property and sales tax revenues.
But nothing's a done deal.
Some people argue that a new shopping center, regardless of where it's located, represents continuation of the kind of retail sprawl that threatens to destroy the environment and quality of life here. Others say development across the border would unfairly feed off Moscow's established retail business community and offer nothing in return.
A few suggest that cooperation is the key -- that retail development along the Moscow-Pullman corridor is inevitable and everyone should work together to form a regional shopping powerhouse.
"I would rather be part of the regional picture than die," said former Moscow City Councilor JoAnn Mack.
Friday might hold a key to just how pitched the debate may become. All appeals of a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) decision that opened the door to the new shopping center must be filed with Whitman County by 2:30 p.m.
Mark Bordsen, the county's planner, said Tuesday afternoon that no appeals had yet been filed.
But the City of Moscow appeared to be gearing up for one.
Mayor Nancy Chaney said a decision on whether to appeal had not been made, but she and other officials have "serious concerns" about the proposed shopping center. Members of the Moscow City Council also authorized a $500 deposit necessary for an appeal.
"I think some of the environmental concerns are worth more than money," said Chaney, who signed a nine-page letter outlining questions about the proposed shopping center.
Bordsen, who made the legal decision that the shopping center would not have a significant negative impact, said he stands by his determination.
"I don't see where they have grounds to appeal," Bordsen said. Instead, he suggested Moscow officials might look at ways to cooperate. "I think there's a basis for cooperation between Moscow and Whitman County, just like the county cooperates with other cities."
A total of 11 people and entities sent letters to Bordsen questioning his determination of nonsignificance. In addition to Chaney, the letters came from three Pullman officials, two Washington state officials and five individuals.
None of the letters swayed Bordsen. "Therefore, based upon my review of the checklist answers and comments, as Responsible Official, I find the previous SEPA threshold decision of Mitigated DNS stands," Bordsen wrote in answer.
Appeals are to be heard by Whitman County commissioners.
One of the keys to development of the shopping center and the rest of the corridor is water and sewer infrastructure. Les MacDonald, Moscow's public works director, confirmed Tuesday that water and sewer hookups have been built and are "physically" available for the proposed shopping center.
Jason Hawkins, spokesman for the developer, Hawkins Companies of Boise, confirmed that tapping into Moscow's sewer-water infrastructure is an option his company wants to explore. "The City of Moscow knows that," said Hawkins.
But Chaney said no such request has been received. What's more, she said there are questions about whether a city in Idaho can receive fees or other remuneration to provide such services across county and state lines.
Moscow Supervisor Gary Riedner agreed.
"It's a fairly momentous decision," he said of extending utilities across state lines.
Whitman County Commission Chairman Jerry Finch declined comment on the proposed shopping center because of the potential for appeals. But he said the commission has fully embraced retail development in the corridor between Moscow and Pullman.
That wasn't always the case, Bordsen said. For decades, Whitman County officials championed retention of farm ground over development. Indeed, the site in question is currently being farmed right up to the edge of the Moscow city limits. Bordsen said the turn toward retail development began in earnest about 10 years ago.
"Basically, we've been hoping all along there would be development in the corridor," Bordsen said.
If the developer can't tap into Moscow's water and sewer system, company officials have said they plan to gain water rights, drill two wells and install their own sewage system, Bordsen said.
That would be more costly, but it appears the company would pay the price, he added.
Hawkins declined comment on specifics about the shopping center. "We just prefer to keep it that way until we get further down the road," he said.
A site plan on the Hawkins Co.'s Web site shows the shopping center to be developed around an access road that leads to a central hub, with roads radiating out to the various retail outlets. Approximately 600,000 square feet of retail space is shown to be contained in the various stores. Lowe's is the only retail store named.
Excuse me while I go on a rant. WHAT?!?!? What is Moscow but “retail sprawl” on the eastern border of Whitman County? For the last 30 plus years, Pullman residents have made the 16 mile round trip to meet their retail needs at an ever-growing number of Moscow stores. And now suddenly a shopping development in Whitman County is going to “destroy the environment and ruin our quality of life?” GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
AND IF I SEE THE WORD “SPRAWL” AGAIN, I’M GOING TO SCREAM!!! I’ll bet if you looked in the pages of the Tribune and the Daily News over the past several years, “sprawl” has been used a thousand times or more. It has become such a buzzword that even normal, pro-growth people use it.
“Sprawl”, as used in this context and by the leftists means one of three "isms":
Environmentalism: “Sprawl” means you have to drive to get there. And the only thing the left is more pyscho about opposing than Wal-Mart is the automobile. You see, car exhaust is causing global warming, as witnessed by our 120% of normal snowpack in the mountains this year . Plus, the supply of gasoline is not sustainable. One day we will have to rape and pillage ANWR to feed our petroleum addiction. Meanwhile, spills from tankers bringing in oil from evil Arab countries kill cute little baby seals. Cars also require roads and parking lots, which destroy our green spaces with impermeable surfaces. Stormwater runs off those surfaces, warming and polluting the water in our ditches (er, I mean streams and rivers).“Others say development across the border would unfairly feed off Moscow's established retail business community and offer nothing in return?”
Socialism: Cars are also evil because they promote personal freedom and independence. One of the major tenets of socialism is “fraternity”. The left wants everyone jammed in together as one big, happy family in “dense urban infill”. There would be no racism, hatred, obesity, Republicans, etc. if we all just lived and shopped together downtown.
Elitism: Being a leftist also seems to involve a certain amount of snobbery. Those strip malls are just so UGLY, and they’re frequented by all those "undesirable social classes". GAG ME WITH A SPOON!
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD, MOSCOWANS!! Excuse us if we don’t shed a tear for your lost business. Pullman loses $92 million in taxable revenue every year. Where has all the bitching about "quality of life" and "unfairness" been during the past few decades? Was Pullman and Whitman County living in the shadow of Moscow just the way the universe was ordained?
Only the barking Pullman-Moscow moonbats would view “growth” as a dirty word.
1 comment:
Certain people in Moscow seem to think that the people of Pullman and Whitman county exist only to provide Moscow with shoppers, scenery and good jobs. When we dare try to provide for our own citizens, they claim that we are stealing what is rightfully theirs. HA!
Moscow's appeal will sound something like a palimony suit out of Hollywood, "Your Honor, I deserve to be supported in the manner that I have become accustomed to."
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