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Council sets closed‑record hearing after debate over parking for proposed four‑plex
Summary
Council set a closed‑record hearing on a conditional‑use permit for a proposed two‑story four‑plex after members disputed whether the project must provide 8 or 10 off‑street parking spaces and whether ADA parking counts toward the total.
The Benton City Council on April 15 set a closed‑record hearing to consider modifications to a conditional‑use permit for a proposed two‑story four‑plex after a heated discussion over parking requirements.
Planner George presented the application for a standalone four‑unit building (2,842 sq ft) on Lot 2. The project proposes paved off‑street parking that the planner said complies with short‑plat and code requirements; councilors raised concerns about whether the site plan provides enough on‑site parking to avoid spillover into turn lanes and to accommodate emergency access.
Council members referenced two different standards: the municipal land‑use chapter that governs conditional uses (which showed two off‑street spaces per unit for multifamily four‑plexes) and a separate parking code adopted earlier that sets three spaces per unit for apartment buildings. Several councilors argued the prior council had required a minimum of 10 spaces when a similar building was approved and insisted on at least 10 spaces again. The council asked staff whether one of the spaces could be designated ADA and counted toward the total; staff replied that an ADA space can be included.
Because the planning commission recommended approval as proposed, councilors said they needed to hold a closed‑record (quasi‑judicial) hearing so testimony already in the planning record can be incorporated and the council can make a final decision with opportunity for affected parties to be heard. The council voted to set the closed‑record hearing and asked staff to coordinate the scheduling and record materials.
The hearing will return the matter to council with a formal record and any recommended conditions, including a parking condition if the council elects to require a minimum number of on‑site spaces.
