Author: Adam Marshall - uncategorized - April 28, 2025

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Stand for the Valley! Insist that the city keeps the moratorium - expiring May 20th
With the moratorium set to expire on May 20th, examining what should have been done clearly shows the need for an extension! “The purpose of the moratorium is to allow the city adequate time to assess the threat of wildfire to the Latah/Hangman & Grandview/Thorpe Neighborhoods, plan for and implement the necessary mitigations and adopt related code changes”(pulled directly from the adopted moratorium).

Additional text “the City will not accept, review and/or approve new applications for preliminary short subdivisions for sites in the moratorium zone” Ordinance # C36522

The Work Plan
What was supposed to happen

1. Amend Sec 17F.110.010 (WUI Code)

2. Perform a full assessment of wildfire risks/mitigation strategies.

3. Establish emergency response procedures within the area

4. Plan construction of firefighting infrastructure - Station 5

5. Modify sections of municipal code to protect the health and safety of residents

UNFORTUNATELY the city has also continued to process new applications during the moratorium period. (*examples include Eagle Bluffs, Latah Glen, Easy Home Buyer and Grandview Addition)



What didn’t happen
1. Perform and implement a full assessment of wildfire risks/mitigation strategies.

2. Establish emergency response procedures within the area.

What might have been started
1. Limited application of Amend Sec 17f.110.010 (WUI Code)

2. Limited planning for construction of firefighting infrastructure - Station 5

3. Limited modifications to sections of municipal code to protect the health and safety of residents.

What Should we do NOW!
Please email or call the mayor and city council. Consider testifying at the weekly council meeting every Monday night at 6pm. Sign up as early as the Friday before the scheduled meeting



Lack of Community Engagement & Outreach
1. There has been little to no communication on the moratorium work plan over the last year.

2. Work is already being done on the subarea plan without any public participation despite repeated requests for coordination.

3. Key decisions are being made and there has been no community input thus far...unacceptable!

Highlight Key Issues


1. Insurance premiums and non-renewals continue to increase.

2. Fire season has already begun as we seen multiple fires in District 2.

3. The risk to public safety and lives continues to increase, especially in areas of emergency response and evacuation.

4. Development continues, increasing the risk and new development is lining up to submit applications if the moratorium expires.