PROSSER -- Richland and Benton City's urban growth areas are 60 days away from growing by hundreds of acres apiece.
The Benton County commissioners, voting on separate resolutions, gave final approval to growing Benton City's urban growth area by about 500 acres in two sections and Richland's by 179 acres.
Both resolutions, which provided the final OK to approvals made by the commission in late September, passed 2-1. Commissioner Max Benitz Jr. voted no.
Benitz said the cities already have substantial pieces of undeveloped land and should focus on developing those plots before expanding urban growth areas.
"(Richland and Benton City) need to take a look at their current evaluation of where the growth should be," he said Monday.
A 60-day appeal period now goes into effect, which allows groups and individuals to challenge the commission's decision.
"I believe there will be a legal challenge," Benitz said.
Futurewise, a statewide public interest group dedicated to preserving farmland, shorelines and forests has previously said it will appeal the commissioners' decision to expand the urban growth areas.
The Benton County Planning Commission had recommended the county commissioners deny the cities' requests to expand the growth areas because of the large undeveloped pieces of land in each municipality. The county commissioners approved the urban growth area enlargement proposals 2-1 in late September, saying the undeveloped land in Benton City and Richland was not in areas poised for future growth.
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Kennewick's play to get more industrial land gained ground this week in the state Legislature.
The bill sponsored by Sen. Jerome Delvin, R-Richland would allow Kennewick to apply to Benton County to expand its urban growth area boundary south of Interstate 82 without waiting for the next application cycle in 2013.
It also would remove a Growth Management Act criteria tying applications to population projects.
West Richland expected to OK Shelby car plant
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Shelby SuperCars plans to build cars at a new manufacturing facility at Keene Road and Belmont Boulevard in West Richland.
The creator of the world-record-setting Ultimate Aero and the recently introduced $1 million Tuatara wants to build a nearly 27,300-square-foot facility on four acres of city-owned land, said Ruth Swain, the city's economic development director.
The city council is expected to approve a resolution tonight supporting the project. The endorsement is needed as part of the process to get a $830,000 grant from the state Community Economic Revitalization Board, Swain said.
Benton, Frankin counties to opt into ag program
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Benton and Franklin counties may be part of an alternative approach to managing agricultural lands despite some uncertainty about the new program.
Commissioners in both counties have unanimously approved opting-in to the state's new Voluntary Stewardship Program.
Counties had until Jan. 22 to decide whether to join the recently created state program that would be an alternative to the critical area development regulations mandated by the state Growth Management Act for protecting areas used for agriculture.
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Franklin County commissioners aren't sure if an alternative approach to managing agricultural lands would be better for county farmers.
Commissioners discussed Wednesday whether to opt-in to the state's new Voluntary Stewardship Program. About 25 people attended.
Counties have until Jan. 22 to decide whether to join the recently created state program, which would be an alternative to the critical area development regulations mandated by the state Growth Management Act for protecting areas used for agriculture.
Growth management can stifle a city's economy
Growth management can stifle a city's economy
Urban growth is always a tricky issue.
Development has to be balanced with infrastructure needs, quality of life issues and job creation.
What we want our cities to look like is delicate question, and we entrust our city leaders to make the best decisions for our community now and in the future.
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