Board approves conditional use permit for Pullman‑Moscow Airport inert fill, adds staff review language

The Whitman County Board of Adjustment voted to approve Conditional Use Permit CU26‑004, allowing the Pullman‑Moscow Airport to operate an inert fill on up to 60 acres of a 64‑acre parcel in the light industrial district, subject to a set of conditions and required permits.

Staff described the proposal and read conditions requiring necessary permits (solid waste permit under WAC 173‑350, stormwater and erosion control plans prepared and approved by a licensed engineer, access permits from the City of Pullman and Washington State Department of Transportation, daily trip limits per access permits, limits on hours of operation, dust and weed control, and reclamation). Staff emphasized that the approval letter would not be issued until those permits and reviews were completed. "The approval letter will not be issued until the solid waste permit, access permits, and stormwater and erosion control plan are provided by the applicant and are reviewed and approved by staff," staff said on the record.

Public comment raised access and security concerns for adjacent property owners; the board and staff debated whether the county typically has all required permits in hand prior to the hearing. County planner Alan said these permits are normally in place before board review but explained that condition 4 can function as a stopgap, allowing the board to grant the permit while making issuance of the approval letter contingent on receipt and staff review of the required permits. Board member Rick Finch successfully moved to add the phrase "and/or reviewed and approved by staff, in a timely fashion" to condition 4 to clarify the process. After further discussion the board voted to approve CU26‑004. Staff noted a 21‑day appeal period from the issuance of the approval letter; the permit may be revoked if required permits are not obtained.