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Public Works proposes split approach: Alan Thomson to lead CAO, Grace Di Biase to lead solar/battery work
Summary
Public Works Director Mark Storey told the commission he has informal support from the Board of County Commissioners to have Alan Thomson lead the Critical Areas Ordinance work while Assistant Planner Grace Di Biase coordinates solar and battery ordinance drafting with consultants, a change intended to ease public concern and workload distribution.
At the Feb. 4 workshop, Whitman County Public Works Director Mark Storey proposed splitting staff responsibilities for upcoming ordinance work: County Planner Alan Thomson would lead the statutorily required Critical Areas Ordinance update while Assistant Planner Grace Di Biase would take primary responsibility—together with Kimley‑Horn—on drafting solar and battery storage code.
"I would ask the board to put their trust in Grace's work on the solar and the battery power and put their trust in Alan to work on the critical areas," Storey said, explaining that commissioners had given him an informal nod to proceed. Storey characterized the change as intended to reduce public ire observed during prior wind ordinance work and to allow more focused work on the CAO, which carries the June deadline.
Commissioners accepted the approach and discussed logistics for joint meetings where both staff members and their consultants will be present. Staff and consultants agreed to display draft code language live during meetings so commissioners and the public can follow edits.
