Benton County planners to meet with LC residents Nov. 4 for comprehensive-plan outreach

Benton County community development staff told the LC Citizen Advisory Committee on Oct. 27 that a planning commission subcommittee and county consultants will hold a facilitated outreach session in LC on Nov. 4 as part of the countywide comprehensive-plan update.

Petra, an interim planning official in community development, said: "on November 4, it looks like a subcommittee of the planning commission will be assigned, to come out and lead...a facilitated activity, with support from the consultants, and to take a look at the outreach strategy for the comprehensive plan." She said the county expects the planning effort to be iterative and that additional sessions will follow.

County staff named Shannon Bush as the likely facilitator and said Patrick (identified as a state contact) had been invited to describe state programs and assistance. Nick Fowler, chair of the Benton County Planning Commission, and other planning commissioners may also participate. Petra said the county will provide materials that explain what aspects of land use the county controls and what matters remain at the state level.

Committee members discussed outreach methods and asked county staff to identify which actions the county can implement locally versus those that require state changes. Petra said the November session will be used both to gather values and to recommend a framework that could be used for other unincorporated communities.

Ending: Committee members and staff agreed to promote the Nov. 4 outreach session; staff offered to provide background documents prior to the meeting and to hold a training on using the county zoning map.