Planning Commission |
Hearings Examiner |
Planning Commission Calendar |
Hearing Examiner Calendar |
AgendasCurrent and prior Planning Commission agendas |
AgendasCurrent and prior Hearings Examiner agendas |
Request to Testify FormTo be completed prior to the hearing by anyone wishing to present testimony at the hearing. |
Request to Testify FormTo be completed prior to the hearing by anyone wishing to present testimony at the hearing. |
Join the Planning Commission WebEx Meeting |
Join the Hearings Examiner WebEx Meeting |
|
To participate telephonically in the Planning Commission meeting, call: (206) 207-1700 OR (503) 388-9555 |
To participate telephonically in the Hearing Examiner meeting, call: (206) 207-1700 OR (503) 388-9555 |
|
Watch the Planning Commission meeting here: STREAMING VIDEO |
Watch the Hearings Examiner meeting here: STREAMING VIDEO |
If you have any questions regarding the information here, please call us at (509) 786-5612 or use our Contact Us form.
NOTICE OF OPEN RECORD HEARINGS
BENTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
NOTICE OF HEARING before the Benton County Board of County Commissioners in the matter of: The 2026 Periodic Review of the Benton County Comprehensive Plan pursuant to Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) RCW 36.70A.130(4).
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that public comment, oral or written, will be taken on the proposed 2026 Comprehensive Plan Documents and associated development regulation changes during a series of three (3) public hearings on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of County Commissioners Meeting Room, Third Floor, Courthouse, Prosser WA 99350. The Board may make their final decision based on the Planning Commission record, the Planning Commission’s recommendation and all oral and written testimony.
Hearing 1: 2026 Periodic Draft Comprehensive Plan Update. The Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A.130) requires that the County have mandatory "periodic updates" of its comprehensive plan and development regulations every ten (10) years to ensure that they comply with the GMA. Benton County has conducted a full review of the existing Plan and has eliminated outdated information, streamlined and shortened the plan and updated it to ensure consistency with RCW, WAC, BCC, and other codes and requirements. The proposed Comprehensive Plan also includes the following actions:
City of Richland UGA Amendment (CPA 2026-001) is a request by the City of Richland to amend its Urban Growth Area (UGA) to remove approximately 140 acres of undeveloped land on Badger Mountain Preserve currently zoned UGAR from the Richland Urban Growth Area. Land is currently zoned Park in the County. Add 190 acres currently zoned RL-5. This area is proposed for recreational purposes without a housing allocation. Add 254 acres currently zoned RL-1 to the Urban Growth Area. This area would include land for a future school site and housing development density that would be consistent with the surrounding land use patterns.
City of Benton City UGA Amendment (CPA 2026-002) is a request by the City of Benton City to amend its Urban Growth Area (UGA) to add 37.14 acres currently zoned RL-5 as infill UGA addition(s) for residential development. As well as add 17.51 acres currently zoned Park which includes a WDFW owned park and Kennewick Irrigation District right-of-way.
Adoption of updated 2026 Official Zoning Map to implement an official zoning map that implements and is consistent with the updated 2026 Comprehensive Plan.
Hearing 2: OA-2026-0001 2025/2026 Periodic Update and Amendments to the County Zoning and Development Regulations. The Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A.130) requires that the County also update its development regulations during a periodic Comprehensive Plan update to ensure code consistency with the updated Comprehensive Plan, and to address any changes in law that have occurred since the last update. File OA-2026-0001 proposes required amendments to Chapter 3.26 “Flood Damage Prevention”, Title 9 “Subdivisions”, Title 11 “Zoning”, Title 15 “Environment”, and Title 17 “Permit Review Process”.
Hearing 3: OA-2026-0002 Open Space Taxation Program. This proposal includes the establishment of a new chapter to the Benton County Code that encourages through reduced property tax rates, the maintenance, preservation and conservation of open space lands and areas with sensitive habitats as allowable by RCW 84.34.
The proposals were reviewed under the requirements of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement was integrated into the 2026 Comprehensive Plan. The Final Environmental Impact Statement is anticipated to be issued on or about October 20, 2026, but may be issued any time prior to the November 3, 2026 hearing.
The draft documents may be viewed on the Benton County Planning Division’s website or copies may be requested by calling or writing the Benton County Planning Division using the information below. Any comments regarding the draft documents may be made at the above hearing before the Board of County Commissioners.
Any information submitted to Benton County is subject to the public records disclosure law for the State of Washington (RCW Chapter 42.17) and all other applicable law that may require the release of the documents to the public.
Benton County welcomes full participation in public meetings by all citizens. No qualified individual with a disability shall be excluded or denied the benefit of participating in such meetings. If you wish to use auxiliary aids or require assistance to comment at this public meeting, please contact the Benton County Planning Division at 786-5612 or you may request in writing to the above address at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting to make arrangements for your needs.
Michael Alvarez, Chairman
Board of County Commissioners
Publish date: October 14, 2026
For virtual or in person attendance please use this link Civic Clerk Public Portal Page