Othello approves critical areas ordinance

OTHELLO — Othello City Council adopted the Critical Areas Ordinance, which helps to determine wetlands and no-build zones.

Othello City Planner Darryl Piercy said the ordinance is several years in the making. The ordinance will go to state agencies, including the Department of Ecology for final approval. 

“The draft has gone through a pretty extensive review,” Piercy said.

He said there were several concerns about wetlands leading to no-build zones.

The ordinance provides a compromise to protect property rights to prevent no-build zones, Piercy said.

The ordinance declares that all land can be built upon, even if it is on a wetland. If something is built on a wetland, then there are more regulations concerning what can be built.

Councilmember Marc Spohr said he wanted to remove a portion of the ordinance that does not recognize artificial wetlands. He was concerned about preservation of those areas.

An artificial wetland could be created by irrigation water.

Mayor Shannon McKay said he did not want the language removed because otherwise it would result in every field having a designated wetland.

Council-member Ken Johnson motioned to approve the ordinance and Council-member Tim Wilson seconded. It passed with a 6-1 vote.

Spohr voted against the ordinance.

There was no public comment during the public hearing.

To view the ordinance, residents can visit Othello City Hall at 500 Main Street in Othello.