Benton County approves land-use change north of Norway to allow single-family dwelling

Benton County supervisors approved a land-use change to allow a single-family dwelling on land immediately north of the city of Norway. County staff reported the request concerns two parcels of 2.77 and 3.21 acres owned by applicant Scott Schulte; the specific area proposed for conversion is approximately 1 acre.

Staff told the board the site lies within Section 17 of Florence Township, is timbered and has not been used for agricultural production since the county's land-preservation ordinance took effect. The site's corn-stability rating was reported as 40, which staff said is not considered high-quality farmland. Access will continue via an existing driveway on 20 Ninth Avenue (called Main Street within the city of Norway), a gravel county road with an average daily traffic count of about 110 vehicles.

Staff said the proposed dwelling will require a new septic system to be permitted by the county and that the applicant plans to use rural water. The office sent six notification letters to adjacent property owners and published legal notices; staff reported it had received no public comments on the request.

A board member moved to accept the land-use change for Scott Schulte; the motion was seconded and approved. No conditions beyond required septic permitting and utility connections were recorded in the hearing record.

County staff and the applicant confirmed the site’s proximity to the city of Norway and that the change was not expected to negatively affect nearby agricultural operations given the parcel’s timbered status and lower corn-stability rating.