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Council remands Zaragoza preliminary plat to planning commission after floodplain and housing-type concerns
Summary
Benton City Council remanded a preliminary plat (PP 2502) for the Zaragoza property back to the planning commission after members raised floodplain and housing-type concerns and asked staff for findings to support a single-family-only condition.
Benton City Council voted July 15 to remand preliminary plat PP 2502 (the Zaragoza proposal) to the planning commission for additional findings after council members raised concerns about floodplain buildability and whether the project should be limited to single-family homes.
The applicant, identified in the record as Zaragoza, told the council the intent was "to come and build nice houses for the neighborhoods" and that the applicant would "be willing to comply with any regulations or any requirements needed" to move the project forward (Applicant, speaker 12). Planning staff described the application as a request to divide an 11.51-acre parcel into 39 lots that could yield up to 78 dwelling units; the planning commission had recommended approval at its April 29 hearing.
Council discussion centered on two issues. One council member said they were uncomfortable with potential building in the floodplain and suggested the river-edge lots be dedicated as parkland rather than developed. The same council member pressed for a condition that the development be limited to single-family residences, saying, "The second condition I would impose is that these all be single family residences" (Council member, speaker 4). City Attorney Eric warned that the council would need appropriate findings and authority to require single-family-only housing in a zone where multifamily is allowed and recommended remanding the application if council wanted enforceable conditions tied to single-family use.
After debate, a motion to remand the preliminary plat to the planning commission for further analysis and findings related to a single-family condition was moved and seconded and carried. Council instructed staff and the city attorney to determine what findings or procedures would be necessary to implement a single-family-only condition if the commission and council decide to pursue it.
Next steps: The planning commission will revisit PP 2502 to prepare additional findings and recommendations for council consideration; the council’s remand restores the commission’s role in drafting any record-based findings needed to support land‑use conditions.
