Author: Adam Marshall -
uncategorized -
Oct. 4, 2023
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A moratorium is the right tool for this job!
In September 2022 a moratorium was put in place for six months but it only dealt with certain building fees (transportation impact fees and general facilitated charges). That moratorium paused development while the fees and aspects related to them could be reviewed, with the outcome ultimately being an increase for both.
With roadways, fire protection, water, and other services being non-existent to substandard to failing still a reality in the Latah Valley, the call has been for the city to enact a new moratorium to better address the serious realities of this area. There is a commitment from existing electeds as well as candidates for positions on the city council and for mayor who support enacting a moratorium in order to address, more substantively, the needs of the Latah Valley. There are also those in office or running for office who say development should continue and are opposed to a moratorium yet offer no alternatives/solutions.
A moratorium on major development would allow for time and space in order to more substantively address the deficiencies of the Latah Valley. Not everything can be fixed while a pause on building is in place. However, it would, in a very real way, allow the whole valley to breathe easier as certain aspects are either resolved or steps are put in motion to solve problems in this area. The Latah Valley is woefully behind on a laundry list of infrastructure needs. Allowing more development to happen without addressing some of these critical needs only pushes the whole area further and further behind the curve and increases the likelihood of major losses due to traffic related events and fire danger.
Listed below is a simple breakdown on moratoriums. Keep writing the city council, mayors office, and writing letters to the editor calling for a moratorium on major development in the Latah Valley.
Thank you, CALV
A Moratorium = Accountability We have seen what happens when the city has no obligation to address issues
What is a moratorium? A moratorium is a pause. It is a legal action that suspends an authorized activity. In the case of the Latah Valley the moratorium sought is a legal suspending of major development.
How is a building moratorium justified? The adoption of a moratorium is meant as an emergency action. In regards to development the emergency could pertain to planning, building fee structures, environmental concerns, level of services, or permitting processes. In the case of Latah Valley all of these could apply with two strongest ones being level of services (i.e. fire response) and planning (i.e. sub area plan). So the moratorium is written to address specific issues.
Who enacts a moratorium? In the case of the City of Spokane, the city council (as the legislative body) can enact a moratorium. This can be done by a simple majority vote. However, the mayor can veto that vote and without a super majority (5) of the city council .
How long can it last? A moratorium is good for six months. It can be renewed for additional six month periods so long as the emergency action can be justified through work plans.
