Council approves 46‑lot Carol Street preliminary plat with required masonry buffer

The Benton City Council voted April 21 to approve the Carol Street preliminary subdivision consisting of 46 lots (roughly 12.41 acres) with conditions aimed at separating residential uses from adjacent agricultural operations and addressing environmental constraints.

In opening the closed‑record hearing the planning staff summarized the record: the packet included the staff report, planning‑commission findings, the SEPA checklist, a wetland delineation report, geotechnical information and correspondence about proposed wetland relocation. Staff noted that any wetland relocation requires final approval from the Washington State Department of Ecology regardless of the council's action.

Council and staff discussed access and traffic connectivity at length. Planning staff said the proposed plat shows multiple potential points of connection, and that developer responsibility would include frontage improvements on the portion of roadway within the development. The council noted the site’s proximity to an existing trail and discussed alternatives including a possible roundabout at Seventh Street to reduce peak‑hour impacts.

A planning‑commission recommendation to require a masonry or equivalent durable wall on the east property line was discussed; council members asked about wall height and drainage and about measures to avoid disturbance to nesting birds. One councilmember moved to approve the preliminary plat, requiring the developer to construct a masonry wall along the east property line (6 feet high) to separate the residential lots from livestock and farming uses, and to adopt the planning commission's findings and the SEPA determination with mitigation measures. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Staff emphasized that several technical conditions remain, including final wetlands work with Department of Ecology, required civil engineering for access and frontage, resolving any existing easements, and addressing pedestrian and traffic safety at nearby intersections. The council asked staff to continue coordinating engineering and park/connectivity issues as the plat moves to final engineering and permitting.