Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Comprehensive Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff outlines comp‑plan updates and says city could add about 512.72 acres to UGA
Summary
Benton City staff presented a draft comprehensive plan update, highlighted a land‑capacity analysis that could allow a 512.72‑acre urban growth area expansion, and set a timeline for comments and public hearings ahead of a county decision cycle in 2028.
City planning staff presented a draft comprehensive plan and highlighted Section 3 (the land‑use element), telling commissioners the city’s land‑capacity analysis identified roughly 512.72 acres that could be added to the urban growth area (UGA).
"The city can expand the UGA by 512.72 acres," a staff member said, adding that the county retains final approval of UGA boundaries and that the county’s next application cycle is in 2028. Staff asked commissioners for first‑round comments by the next commission meeting and aimed to return a revised draft for additional review and public outreach in February, with an internal city target of completing plan approval by 2026.
Commissioners probed several technical items in the draft: Table 3‑2’s treatment of open space and park acreage (some parks and golf courses are listed separately, leaving what the table labels as “open space” at zero acres), recent reductions in single‑family density compared with 2017, and impacts from state law enabling accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The chair and other commissioners said they want clarity on definitions used in tables and on whether in‑lieu park impact payments or small on‑site parcels better serve long‑term maintenance budgets.
Staff said the compilation is an early draft and asked commissioners to provide redline‑capable comments (PDF or editable format). The commission agreed to a schedule that would allow staff to gather comments in January and bring revisions back for additional public review in February.
