Benton City planning panel hears neighbors’ drainage and flood concerns on proposed 46‑lot subdivision

The Benton City Planning Commission on April 1 heard more than an hour of public testimony and technical back‑and‑forth about a proposed 4.41‑acre single‑family subdivision that staff said would create roughly 20–46 lots and extend water and sewer to each lot.

Staff opened the public hearing by describing the preliminary‑plat process and the record, telling commissioners the staff report contains the findings of fact and that technical issues would be addressed in later civil review and in state reviews where applicable. Robert McLeod, the applicant’s representative with Canadian Engineering, described the proposal and said the project does not seek variances to street or utility standards and will follow city public‑works specifications.

Why it matters: neighbors repeatedly told the commission they worry the development will worsen local drainage and flooding, alter wildlife habitat and increase traffic and noise; staff said state and city mitigation measures and civil engineering review will guide grading, utilities and any wetland relocation.

Residents and former meeting chairs said they want inspection and verification that…