Lewiston council advances code update to align telecom rules with state law

Mayor Johnson and the Lewiston City Council advanced a zoning code update in a first reading motion March 23 that would align the city's telecommunication facility rules with changes made by the Idaho Legislature.

Assistant city planner Katie Hollingshead told the council the proposed zoning amendment ZAO4-25 renames the city's "wireless communication facilities" regulations to "telecommunication facility" regulations and adds state-style definitions for "broadband infrastructure" and "broadband provider." She said changes include shortening the conditional-use public hearing window for new towers from 30 to 21 days and reducing the tolling period for colocation applications from 90 to 60 days to match state timelines. "House Bill 180 was passed by the legislature last year," Hollingshead said, and the changes are intended to bring the code into conformity with that law.

The item had been reviewed at a council work session earlier in the month; Hollingshead summarized the high points and answered councilors' questions about affected code sections and packet pagination. Following the presentation, Counselor Spickelmeyer moved and Counselor Klein seconded first reading of Ordinance 49-61. The motion carried by voice vote.

Why it matters: the update reduces local review windows in specific permit categories and adds definitions for broadband-related terms, affecting how new towers and colocation requests will be processed. The action was a first reading; councilors did not make additional amendments at the meeting. Clerk Brockie read the ordinance caption into the record and the item will return for subsequent readings and final action under the council's normal ordinance schedule.

What to watch: future council agenda packets for the second reading of Ordinance 49-61 and any administrative changes to permit intake procedures to reflect the shortened review and tolling timelines.