Moscow-Pullman Corridor: A Modest Proposal

[Linda Pall <lpall@moscow.com>]

Dear Visionaries,

At the recent (2/24/99) Moscow City Council/Moscow Planning and Zoning goal
setting summit, Pam Palmer, Council member, very thoughtfully raised the
issue of the corridor for our consideration. We discussed this and concluded
that the role of the City of Moscow is pretty small in the planning
decisions to be made about the corridor. Frustration abounded.

However, we certainly have control of utilities extension and development in
the area immediately over the border. We also have an immediate interest in
what is developed there because of the economic, physical and aesthetic
impacts such development might have.

As a result of our meeting, the group jointly recommended annual
education/training/issue discussion sessions for the Council and the
PLanning Commission.

With this impetus, perhaps with the City of Pullman, the Whitman County
Commissioners and those of us on this side of the tracks interested in these
important decisions, why not organize a broad-based planning and design
session (1-2 days with professional staff and facilitators) to address
citizen and governmental concerns jointly? We have done this effectively in
the past in both communities, coming to a consensus and moving forward with
more unity of process and purpose. 

It is essential to provide meaningful opportunities for citizens to address
the critical development issues, finding common ground between the
development community and the preservationists, between those of us
concerned about conservation of agricultural land and the rural atmosphere
surrounding our communities and those of us anxious to put our economic
dreams to work. Surely, there is common ground and there are effective
ground rules that can promote a sustainable land use and community
development outcome.

I will formally transmit this proposal to the City of Moscow, City of
Pullman, University of Idaho and W.S.U., and Whitman COunty...any one else
interested, feel free to consider this idea. With the support and assistance
of Whitman COunty, we could address the very real concerns of all of us
about this critical piece of ground that unites two cities, two
universities, two states, and hundreds of thousands of opportunities.

I would appreciate any comments on this idea, suggestions for participants,
etc. Thanks for your time reading this and your interest in progressive
policies to keep the Palouse the Palouse!

All the best,
Linda Pall
Moscow City COuncil Member