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Planning commission combines and approves two duplex conditional-use permits after neighborhood concerns
Summary
The Benton City Planning Commission combined two conditional-use applications and approved duplex developments on adjacent lots after staff said the proposals meet R‑2 zoning standards; neighbors raised concerns about density, traffic and water use.
The Benton City Planning Commission voted to combine and approve two conditional‑use applications that allow a developer to build a duplex on each of two adjacent lots at 1210 Grace Court/13th Street.
Planning staff summarized the proposals as two standalone 2,400‑square‑foot duplexes on back‑to‑back parcels, serving R‑2 (medium‑density) zoning. Staff told the commission the site is about 9,114 square feet, parking meets municipal‑code requirements (four spaces per unit, eight total), stormwater will be handled on‑site with city‑engineer‑approved conveyance, and utilities will be provided by Benton PUD; irrigation services must meet Benton Irrigation District requirements prior to occupancy.
"We're proposing to put a duplex on each one of those lots," applicant Philip Sheloski said. "We're doing it to help out because we know that housing is getting pretty expensive." He described erosion controls for a slope on 13th Street, drought‑tolerant landscaping, vinyl fencing between units and a five‑foot chain‑link perimeter fence, and said his wife will act as the managing agent and conduct tenant screening, background checks and lease limits on occupancy.
Neighbor Vic Engelhardt told commissioners he had understood the earlier discussions to mean single‑family homes and said some residents would be upset if duplexes were approved. "It appears that ... that same gentleman is putting in not every place, but duplexes," Engelhardt said, and asked whether duplexes would be allowed in the area and whether neighbors had been properly notified about short plats and subsequent proposals. Planning staff responded that duplexes are a conditional use in the R‑2 zone and that an outright duplex would require a separate application and hearing if proposed.
After commissioners questioned staff and the applicant, a commissioner moved to combine the two conditional‑use proposals (recorded in the hearing as CUP 25‑05 and CUP 25‑06) so they would be considered together. The motion was seconded and carried. The commission then approved the combined action by roll call; Commissioners McLeod, Wallace, Lynn and Hamilton answered "Yes." The motion carried.
According to staff, written findings of fact will be prepared based on evidence presented at the hearing and must state the specific reasons for the conditional‑use approval. Before a certificate of occupancy is issued, the developer must meet stated conditions, including irrigation approvals from the Benton Irrigation District and city‑approved stormwater measures.
The commission's action authorizes the developer to proceed with the project subject to the outlined conditions and required final permits; staff will prepare the formal findings of fact and next steps for the record.
