Walla Walla county approves rezoning requests J.R. Simplot, enabling the construction of a new potato processing plant

Re-zoning requests related to the construction of a new Potato Processing Plant by J.R. Simplot in the west side of Walla Walla county (Washington, United States) have been approved, enabling Simplot to move forward.

J.R. Simplot applied for changes to the land use and zoning designations, basically switching the zoning designations of two 160-acre parcels, both owned by Simplot.

The Comprehensive Plan amendment and rezone by the J.R. Simplot Company was one of the applications Walla Walla county commissioners considered for this year’s (annual) Comprehensive Plan amendment cycle. County commissioners approved the exchange of land-use designations unanimously, paving the way for a new potato processing facility on the county’s west side.

In their comments, commissioners all said they relied heavily on the recommendations of the county Planning Commission and the testimony taken by the commission at a hearing in October on the proposals. Following that hearing, Planning Commissioners had voted to recommend approval of the Simplot application.

Speaking in favor of the Simplot application, Vic Conrad, a company assets director, said the site was the only one of four looked at in Oregon and Washington that fit all the criteria for a food processing plant.

Simplot spokesman Josh Jordan later confirmed the facility will be a potato processing plant.