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Benton County names Bob Richardson as community development director; pledges greater engagement with planning commission
Summary
Bob Richardson was introduced as Benton County’s new community development director (starting April 17). He outlined plans to revive citizen advisory committees, pursue code updates and expand engagement with the planning commission and communities across the county.
Benton County on April 7 introduced Bob Richardson as the county’s new community development director. Richardson said he started April 17 and described a 27‑year career in planning that includes roles in Corvallis, Albany and at Oregon State University.
Richardson told the planning commission he wants to be engaged with commissioners and revive citizen advisory committees and community outreach. He said staff are restarting a voluntary periodic review and refining an RFP to re‑engage community stakeholders and to identify code amendments that align county regulations with recent state law changes.
Why it matters: Commissioners praised the hire as an opportunity to rebuild regular engagement between staff, the planning commission and the public after several years of transitions. Members raised priorities such as restoring citizen advisory committee activity, improving liaison work with cities, and advancing comprehensive plan and code updates.
What Richardson said Richardson introduced himself: “My name is Bob Richardson. I’ve been recently hired as the community development director for Benton County.” He emphasized his intention to work closely with the planning commission, convene stakeholders and address code language that needs to be brought into compliance with state law.
Commissioner responses and next steps Commissioners welcomed Richardson, described previous outreach efforts (including a well‑received visit to Monroe) and urged renewed attention to unincorporated communities. Richardson said staff will take steps to reconnect with citizen advisory committees and prepare updates for the board of commissioners as appropriate.
Authorities and context - Richardson said a voluntary periodic review project is being restarted and that staff plan to present an update to the Board of Commissioners in the coming weeks.
The planning commission continued the meeting with staff updates after Richardson’s introduction.
