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Kennewick neighbors urge city to enforce barrier, cite safety and privacy concerns behind West 24th Avenue development
Summary
Residents near 4112 West 24th Ave asked the council to require a taller retaining wall or other barrier after a developer raised ground 7–8 feet and installed a short wall; residents cited dust, noise, privacy loss and vehicle-safety risks and requested clearer documentation of city approvals.
Several Kennewick residents told the City Council on Jan. 21 they have ongoing safety, privacy and nuisance concerns related to recent construction behind homes near 4112 West 24th Avenue, where a retaining wall and elevated parking area were built adjacent to backyards.
Carolina Cole, a Kennewick resident, said the contractor planted a row of saplings but did not build the barrier residents expected. Cole said the ground behind the homes was raised approximately seven to eight feet and that the contractor told residents no wall was planned; she said city planner Anthony Moye had previously assured residents a six-foot wall would be constructed and that no certificate of occupancy would issue until it was installed. Cole said developers later proposed a four-foot wall as a compromise and described recurring dust, early-morning construction noise, intrusion on privacy, and a perceived loss of property value.
Scott Baker, another nearby resident, cited language in the city comprehensive plan about reducing the visual impact of parking lots, preserving neighborhood character, and requiring mitigation of adverse impacts. Baker said the vertical difference between the elevated area and yards creates a fall hazard and expressed concern about children or vehicles passing over a short barrier.
Connie Jacobson, who also lives nearby, said she measured the existing distances and found the retaining wall to her fence is about 33 inches, and that there is not the 10-foot green space she expected behind her property. Jacobson added that the planted evergreen species (northern white cedar) will take decades to reach a height that provides meaningful screening.
Council members asked staff for a factual briefing on the matter. Council member Beecham asked staff to provide clarity on what the planning commission reviewed and what the city approved. City staff indicated they would prepare and distribute a brief statement summarizing actions taken to date and the approvals on file so the council and residents could review the record.
Residents cited city code sections in their remarks: Cole referenced section 18.21.030 and section 18.36.100.3 concerning screening/landscaping definitions and parking-area barriers; those citations came from commenters and were not read into an official staff determination on compliance during the meeting.
