Moscow City Council Approves Unique Rezoning Gift
Photo from Moscow Chamber of Commerce
Written by Maggie Rasch
MOSCOW, IDAHO - The Moscow City Council voted to pass the rezoning of privately owned ranch property into new backyards for the nearby neighbors during the public hearing at the regular city council meeting on Monday night.
Rezoning
Mary Kate Morgan, the land owner of the 4.98 acre property, is gifting a larger portion of her land located on 1326 Orchard Ave to her six neighbors who share a property line. Mike Morgan, the land owner’s son, explained his widowed mother is now too old to care for the property while reading her testimony.
Justin Goodwin, one of the neighbors, proposed the rezoning to the City Council to prevent further development on the land, which could cause additional street congestion and road work for the neighbors. “It’s reassuring that the land will not be built on, since a popular trend right now [in Moscow] is to grab more land and build more stuff,” said newest City Council Member and Rezoning Liaison Bryce Blackenship.
Other members of City Council showed emotional reactions to the reading of Morgan’s testimony, describing when the property was a successful apple orchard with cattle and other livestock. “This story is such a moving example of the generosity and community between the citizens of Moscow,” said City Council Member Gina Taruscio.
Financial Audit 2023
The City Council also reviewed the Annual Comprehensive Financial Audit for Moscow, covering the statistics and analysis of the city’s spending in 2023. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) conducted this report to test the operational success of Moscow’s fund spending.
The report revealed Moscow’s equity increased by $116 million in 2023 with the most spending caused by street projects and new infrastructure.
Budget Review 2025
Moscow’s budget review for 2025 revealed financial setbacks caused by Bradbury v. City of Lewiston Idaho Supreme Court case in 2023. During this case, Lewiston City Council Member John Bradbury accused the City Council of Lewiston for collecting excessive utility fees and improperly spending municipal funds.
The verdict of the case now restricts how City Councils in Idaho move funding and expenses, making it more difficult to fix short-term projects fast.
The budget review predicted the sustainable water resource project as the primary expense of the city’s spending with emergency medical and fire stabilization and emergency communication systems following in the list.
Other Topics Discussed
The City Council recently began a new relationship with the Moscow Tree Commision, led by the University of Idaho Sustainability Manager, Olivia Wiebe, to discuss the annual planting of Idaho native trees at the Moscow Public Library for Arbor Day at the end of April.
Monday’s meeting ended with the selection of the Moscow Farmers Market dates to begin on May 4, 2025 and end on Oct. 28, 2025.