Plan Would Simplify Land-Use Process, Cut Two Panels

Spokane County would do away with two citizen committees and hire a full-time hearing examiner to decide land-use matters under a proposal working its way toward county commissioners.

Commissioners tonight will schedule a public hearing, possibly Feb. 7, to take testimony on the proposal.

Building and planning director Jim Manson said the plan - identical to the city of Spokane’s - would “streamline and simplify” the land-use application process.

It would benefit everyone from the subdivision developer to the woman who wants a conditional-use permit to open a dog kennel, he said.

If approved by commissioners, there would be no three-member hearing examiner committee or seven-member board of adjustment.

Those panels sometimes make inconsistent decisions, he said, because of the varied interests of members.

“This is something that’s been promoted by the development community,” he said.

Frank Yuse, a planning commission member who serves on the hearing examiner board on a rotating basis under the current system, agrees that a professional examiner would alleviate inconsistent decision-making.

But the county would lose a cross-section of taxpayers better able to represent the county’s diverse and geographic interests, he said.

There’s also the danger, he added, of hiring a full-time hearing examiner who is pro-development.

“Two out the three county commissioners are pro-development,” said Yuse, referring to Phil Harris and Steve Hasson. “There are elections coming up. They know where the money is and the support is, and I’m afraid some favors might be done.”

Manson and Chief Administrative Officer Jim Lindow would take applications if commissioners approve the position. The salary would range from $50,000 to $68,000.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: MEETING TODAY The commission meeting begins at 5 p.m. in the lower level of the Public Works Building, 1026 W. Broadway.