Opinion ID: 2600501
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: LCC 17.30.650: Essential Public Facilities (agricultural land)

Text: ¶ 77 This section is similar to the requirements in LCC 17.30.480, discussed above. LCC 17.30.650 provides: Essential public or regulated facilities, such as roads, bridges, pipelines, utility facilities, schools, shops, prisons, and airports, are facilities, which by their nature are commonly located outside of urban areas and may need large areas of accessible land. Such areas are allowed where: (1) Identified in the comprehensive plan of a public agency or regulated utility. (2) The potential impact on farmed lands and steps to minimize impacts to commercial agriculture are specifically considered in the siting process. The Board concluded that this section was noncompliant and invalid. CP at 43. Regarding roads, bridges, pipelines, and utility lines, the Board found noncompliance because there were no restrictions ensuring minimal interference with agricultural activity. CP at 43. However, the Board overlooked the restrictions which are written into the statute; the public facilities must be identified in the comprehensive plan and the impact on the lands must be considered and minimized when determining the location of such facilities. ¶ 78 Regarding schools, shops, prisons, and airports, the Board found noncompliance because the uses interfere with agricultural uses and do not need to be placed on agricultural land. CP at 43. It is appropriate that Lewis County consider the need for such facilities on agricultural land. An example of such a need would be allowing some schools to be sited in agricultural areas to shorten student commutes.