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Benton County adopts setback change for cannabis cultivation, testing and manufacturing: 660‑foot measurement to be from facility to dwelling
Summary
After a public hearing and a Planning Commission recommendation, the county board amended its development code to measure cannabis facility setbacks 660 feet from the nearest point of the facility to the nearest dwelling, replacing the previous parcel‑line measurement that made many parcels unusable for those uses.
The Benton County Board on March 18 approved an amendment to the county development code changing how setback distances for cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and testing facilities are measured.
Land Services staff presented the proposed change after reviewing parcels in the Agricultural District and finding the current parcel‑line measurement created an extensive effective setback that left many properties ineligible for cannabis facilities. Roxanne from Land Services explained the amendment would replace the parcel‑line‑to‑parcel‑line method with a requirement that facilities be at least 660 feet from the nearest dwelling or other cannabis facility, measured from the nearest point of the facility to the dwelling — the same approach used for feed lots.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on March 13 and recommended forwarding the amendment to the county board; no public comments were received at that hearing. At the county board public hearing on March 18 no members of the public spoke and county staff reported no objections from state agencies or cities.
A motion to approve the ordinance was made and seconded; the board voted in favor (“All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Carried.”). The amendment is reciprocal: wherever one use is established first the 660‑foot setback will apply to later development on adjacent parcels.
The board’s action responds to concerns that the prior measurement effectively barred cannabis facilities from being sited on many parcels in the Agricultural District. The ordinance change does not change the numerical distance of 660 feet; it changes only the measuring point for practical siting.
