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Benton County OKs easement and road vacations, declares three parcels surplus for sale
Summary
The Benton County Board of Commissioners approved three land actions May 12: vacating a 20-foot irrigation easement to accommodate a residence, vacating an unused 40-foot remnant of Findlay Road, and declaring three parcels surplus with authority to sell under county policy.
The Benton County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved multiple land- use measures during its May 12 meeting, moving ahead with an easement vacation, a road vacation and the declaration of three county parcels as surplus for sale.
Planning staff presented SV 2026-001, an application from Jason Diaz to vacate a 20-foot Badger Mountain Irrigation District (BMID) easement across Lot 4 of Badger Mountain Plateau Subdivision to allow development of a single-family residence. Planning staff noted the easement contains a 22-inch irrigation line and that the applicant has proposed rerouting infrastructure; the MID submitted written support and no objections were received. A commissioner moved to approve the vacation with conditions that the applicant relocate and record a replacement irrigation mainline and record required documents within one year; the motion was seconded and passed.
The board also heard from Christina Woods, assistant county engineer for Benton County Public Works, who recommended vacating an unimproved 40-foot remnant of Infinity/Findlay Road left from a 1962 realignment. Woods told the board utility providers (Benton PUD, Columbia Irrigation District and local fiber provider) had confirmed facilities and that a petitioner-recorded access and utility easement ensures neighboring parcels retain legal access. A resolution to vacate the remnant was moved, seconded and adopted.
Separately, Deputy County Administrator Matt Rasmussen presented three parcels for surplus declaration, including a five-acre parcel near Plymouth and two properties in Prosser (the county’s former planning annex and an adjacent overflow parking lot). Rasmussen said the county would typically market the property through a real estate agent but also noted interest from the City of Prosser in purchasing the Prosser parcels for a future police facility; the board approved declaring the parcels surplus and authorized sale under Benton County’s real property management policy.
All motions were approved by voice vote with no recorded dissent. The approvals carry conditions noted in staff recommendations; the board did not identify additional restrictions during the meeting.
