[Vision2020] Re: Shopping Center Plans Filed for Pullman-MoscowHighwaySite

Sun Jan 8 13:12:00 PST 2006

Here's more follow-up information about the plans for the commercial development on the WA side of the border on the Pullman-Moscow Highway....see below....

Mayor Nancy Chaney replied with notes of a meeting (on NOVEMBER 29!) with the developers.  My thanks to Nancy for sharing this information and for her commitment to stopping this especially ugly sprawl.  

The developers own the land and seem committed to creating this sprawl mall.  When Comstock was mayor, it looks like the city was actually negotiating with the developers and considering trading tax-sharing for utilities.

I am hopeful that the present Mayor and Council will recognize that facilitating this development in WA, right on the Moscow border, would be a deal with the devil and should be rejected.   Moscow should not underwrite sprawl out the Moscow-Pullman Highway!
BL 

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Nancy Chaney 
  To: 'Bill London' 
  Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2006 7:19 PM
  Subject: RE: Shopping Center Plans Filed for Pullman-MoscowHighwaySite

  Bill,

  I have been awaiting agreement from one of the attendees that the minutes from a meeting that Marshall, Gary Riedner, and I had with representatives of the Hawkins Company on Nov. 29 are accurate. In response to your question, part of the still "unofficial" minutes say, ".this past spring a call was made to the Attorney General to inquire on his opinion regarding utility services being provided across state lines. The Attorney General said it is possible but it is not set up now to accommodate that. There would be a process to go through and it would include asking the Department of Water Resources to amend the water right. Riedner said they have not begun to research the issue. There is no restriction on other utilities. However, staff has not asked the Department of Environmental Quality about sewer. Another issue is emergency services and how those would interact." By my recollection, these minutes are accurate.

  My personal notes from that meeting are as follows:

   11-29-05

  Meeting with Hawkins Companies Reps Jason Hawkins (Partner/Developer, 208-947-4733, C 208-867-1933, jhawkins at hcollc.com, 8645 W. Franklin Rd., Boise 83709), Jeff "J.D." De Voe (Senior Counsel, 947-4727, C 850-6795, jdevoe at hcollc.com), and Jeff Hess (Chief Operating Officer, 947-4730, C 850-2431, jhess at hcollc.com), Marshall Comstock, Gary Riedner, and minute-taker Laurie Lewis. 

  Subject: They are interested in constructing a shopping mall (with an approximate 80-acre "footprint" / ?? hardscape) on 204 acres immediately west of the state line.

  When Gary Riedner broached the subject of this meeting with me last week, I indicated that I wanted it to be public knowledge and that minutes should be made available to the public.

  What I recall as noteworthy observations:

  Property is presently owned by Whitworth Foundation, subsequent to a donation to the College. Hawkins Companies anticipate owning it by mid- to late Feb. 2006.

  They presently have projects in 19 states. They explained that the project diagram previously posted on their web site and included in the Daily News was mistakenly issued by their corporate development office (an "error"), even though it wasn't the real plan. (Lowe's is officially on-board, however.) The signage that was briefly posted on-site was mistakenly placed at the instruction of that office too, and not because of any requirements by Whitman County.

  Unbeknownst to me until today, this group met with Mayor Comstock, City Supervisor Riedner, City Attorney Fife, and Community Planning Director Plaskon "two or three weeks ago" to discuss this matter. 

  While they asked questions about my position on this matter, JD (at least) seemed to have heard or read something about me in that he commented on my commitment to "transparency." He seemed to also have a grasp of the fact that I would expect some sort of a public process. The concept plan was transformed from a linear "strip" (Their word) to more of a village design (or as they put it "community"), with shallow setbacks, enhanced landscaping, parking to the rear, a roundabout, several clusters of buildings, and cognizance of connectedness to existing transportation corridors other than/in addition to Highway 270.

  Jason has had conversations with a local landowner about coordinating on a warrant for a traffic signal near Wilbur-Ellis. When I asked Jeff Hess whether they anticipated that acquiring a water right in Washington might take the rumored ten years, he said they had ready access to one that can be had almost immediately with minimal paperwork. 

  I asked them to consider complying with Moscow's large-scale retail development ordinance and to respect our efforts to prevent sprawl (strip development), conserve water, and preserve our community values, regardless of whether Moscow extends services. They nodded, proclaimed their commitment to high quality projects, and otherwise seemed in agreement. I explained our relationship with Latah County Commissioners as related to the Area of City Impact and indicated that it would be reasonable to develop something similar with Whitman County, particularly as we look to address water and transportation regionally.

  They have spoken with Whitman County staff but not the Commissioners. Marshall, Gary, and I all acknowledged the anecdotal consideration of possible tax revenue sharing. Our visitors indicated that they have not spoken with the State of Washington about the legality of sharing across state lines. In response, Gary and Marshall used Old Town and Newport of such an example.

  When Jeff Hess followed up on my having cited Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Plan that explicitly says we should not extend City services beyond the City limits except in emergency circumstances such as when a well goes bad, Marshall pointed out that "It's.a guideline." Gary confirmed that we don't have an ordinance to support that point. 

  When asked what I thought about their proposal, I reminded them that mayors typically don't vote and that such a decision would be up to the City Council, presumably with input from the public, including a public workshop. When Jeff expressed interest in getting the ball rolling, I told him that we already have a plan for the first quarterly workshop in 2006 and that I want the new Council to have a chance to get its wheels on.) I said I hoped they are comfortable functioning within a public arena. 

  We left it that they will prepare their best offer, to include why Moscow might even want to consider the proposal. We discussed the wastewater treatment facility and that an economic impact analysis to be done by a party of the City's choosing, in addition to elements of the large-scale retail development ordinance.

  Bill, I hope this information is helpful. I have not heard anything further from Hawkins Companies, and only just read the same article that you did in this morning's paper. Let me know if you have additional questions. You may share this information as you wish.

  Nancy

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Bill London [mailto:london at moscow.com] 
  Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2006 5:15 PM
  To: Nancy Chaney
  Subject: Shopping Center Plans Filed for Pullman-MoscowHighwaySite

  N-

  Following the posting of my email (below) about the new mall on WA side of Moscow-Pullman Highway, I received several emails that stated that the Moscow city staff had asked for and received OK from Idaho attorney general to selling utilities to WA for this mall-- and are negotiating with the developer about this mall in WA.

  Is that true?

  BL

      This shopping center on the Pullman-Moscow Highway would be in Washington, of course.  The only reasonably-priced source of sewage, water, fire protection, etc is in Moscow.

      Would Moscow support this kind of development in Washington?

      I contacted the developer (Hawkins) by email asking about utilities for this shopping center, and the reply was "we're working on it, any suggestions?"

      My only suggestion is that Moscow should NOT be their source of sewage service, water, etc.  Let's fight sprawl and let's support tax-paying businesses in Moscow.

      To the Moscow mayor and Council, I ask: has this developer contacted Moscow about using Moscow water, sewage facilities, etc?

      BL

        ----- Original Message ----- 

        From: Tom Hansen 

        To: Moscow Vision 2020 

        Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2006 12:22 PM

        Subject: [Vision2020] Shopping Center Plans Filed for Pullman-Moscow HighwaySite

        From today's (January 7, 2006) Moscow-Pullman Daily News -

        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Shopping Center Plans filed for Pullman-Moscow Highway Site

        Application includes a Lowe's home improvement store

        Staff report

        Tow months of rumors an speculation about the possible development of a shopping center on the Pullman-Moscow Highway are confirmed with the application from a Boise developer to build one on the site.

        Whitman County Engineer Mark Storey said Hawkins Companies submitted an application for a conditional-use permit and filed an environmental checklist required under Washington's State Environmental Policy Act.  The application was filed Wednesday.

        Speculation started in late October when a sign appeared on the site near the Idaho border announcing plans for development of a shopping center.  The sign disappeared two weeks later.

        The company's website displays plans for a complex just west of the Idaho state line.  The design includes three large retail stores, one of which has been earmarked for a 135,000 square-foot Lowe's home improvement center.  The plans also include space for eight smaller retails stores ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 square feet and eight smaller "pad" areas.

        Lowe's declined to comment on a possible store in the Pullman-Moscow area, although a company representative did say the home improvement chain plans to expand throughout the United states in 2006.

        Storey is reviewing the application and said it will take between two and two-and-a-half months for the application to move to a public hearing before the Board of Adjustment.

        Representatives of Hawkins Companies have not responded to requests for interviews.

        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Anybody taking odds on how this will affect WalMart's application for a super center? 

        Take care, Moscow.

        Tom Hansen

        Moscow, Idaho

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