[Vision2020] Re: Shopping Center Plans Filed
forPullman-MoscowHighwaySite
Bill London
london at moscow.com
Sun Jan 8 13:58:01 PST 2006
M-
Smart Growth
that is the key
Smart Growth is a national movement providing community-focused guidelines
for sensible growth.
Check it out:
http://www.smartgrowth.org/
or talk to Moscow Civic Association...
BL
----- Original Message -----
From: "Matt Decker" <mattd2107 at hotmail.com>
To: <london at moscow.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 1:48 PM
Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Re: Shopping Center Plans Filed
forPullman-MoscowHighwaySite
> Bill,
>
> What and if any is good growth to you? Do you think we should not build
> anything? What do you want to see done for Moscow? Preferably an answer
> would be good instead of "no sprawl". Heck what is sprawl? Would MBS be
> counted as sprawl or do you just pick and choice.
>
> Thanks for your time,
> Matt D.
>
>
> >From: "Bill London" <london at moscow.com>
> >To: "Nancy Chaney" <nchaney at moscow.com>, <vision2020 at moscow.com>,
> >"Linda Pall" <lpall at moscow.com>, "John Dickinson" <johnd at moscow.com>,
> > "Bob Stout" <stou1724 at uidaho.edu>, "aaron ament"
> ><citizenament at moscow.com>
> >CC: omie <odrawhorn at dnews.com>
> >Subject: [Vision2020] Re: Shopping Center Plans Filed
> >forPullman-MoscowHighwaySite
> >Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2006 13:12:00 -0800
> >
> >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
> >
> >
> >
> > ***********************************
> > Work like you don't need the money.
> > Love like you've never been hurt.
> > Dance like nobody's watching.
> >
> > - Author Unknown
> > ***********************************
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
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> >
> >
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > _____________________________________________________
> > List services made available by First Step Internet,
> > serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
> > http://www.fsr.net
> > mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> > /////////////////////////////////////////////////////
> >
> >
>
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>
> >_____________________________________________________
> > List services made available by First Step Internet,
> > serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
> > http://www.fsr.net
> > mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
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