Resolution 17-015 re Hirst Water Case CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
SPOKANE COUNTY,WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION NO. 17-015
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY,SPOKANE COUNTY,
WASHINGTON,URGING THE WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE TO ADDRESS
VARIOUS ISSUES RESULTING FROM THE WHATCOM COUNTY V. HIRST SUPREME
COURT DECISION,AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO.
WHEREAS, on October 6, 2016, the Washington State Supreme Court issued a decision in the
case of Whatcom County v. Hirst, a case involving a property owner's ability to obtain a well permit for
residential property for placement of a single family residential structure; and
WHEREAS, in Hirst, the Washington State Supreme Court held that counties have a
responsibility under the Growth Management Act to make determinations of water availability for
development permit approval; and
WHEREAS, the Hirst decision has had an extremely detrimental effect on the ability to develop
residential properties which require wells, which is severely impacting many private property owners
across the state of Washington, including property owners in the City of Spokane Valley; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Legislature considered various options during the 2017
session for providing a legislative fix to Hirst, but was unable to forward a bill to the Governor; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the many benefits a legislative fix to Hirst would bring
to the citizens of this state, including property owners in Spokane Valley.
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Spokane Valley, Spokane
County, Washington as follows:
Section 1. Declaration of City Council, The City Council respectfully requests that the
Washington State Legislature act with all due haste in adopting a legislative fix to the Whatcom County
v. Hirst decision by the Washington State Supreme Court on October 6, 2016, to minimize or eliminate
the negative impacts on private property owners across the state.
Section 2. Effective Date. This Resolution shall be effective upon adoption.
Adopted this 29th day of August,2017.
City ofSpsk. •eValley
a =
L.R. Higg '
A T' . j1, j 1(
via
hristine Bainbridge, City Clerk
A i proved o Form:
411/
s/I
Office oft e City Attorney
Resolution 17-0I5-Hirst Decision Page 1 of 1