2007 Benton County Comprehensive Plan Summary

Benton County’s 2007 Comprehensive Plan

Benton County’s 2007 Comprehensive Plan is more than just a policy document-it’s a shared vision for our community’s future. Rooted in sustainability, economic opportunity and the preservation of our natural and rural character, the plan guides decisions on land use, infrastructure and community development. 

The 2007 Comprehensive Plan has guided policy, action and planning for nearly twenty years in Benton County. The summary below provides a bird’s-eye view of important themes in the 2007 Plan — you can explore each section further by expanding the included dropdowns. 

Focus Areas of the 2007 Plan

Citizen Involvement

Public participation is central to the plan, ensuring transparency and engagement in decision-making. The county maintains a variety of citizen involvement opportunities to promote accessibility and communication between residents and officials.

Related State of Oregon Goals
  • Goal 1: Citizen Involvement, aligned with Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goal 1 which mandates that each city and county provide opportunity for citizen involvement through a variety of avenues. Pages 32-35 of the Plan PDF. 

Land Use, Urbanization & Development

The plan establishes a framework for responsible land use, ensuring that growth aligns with community values. It provides development guidelines that support a balance between urban expansion and rural preservation. Urban growth boundaries and planned development strategies ensure resource protection and efficient transitions from rural to urban areas while maintaining the county’s small-town character. 

Related State of Oregon Goals
  • Goal 2: Land Use Planning establishes a structured process for land use decisions, ensuring they align with the county and community’s vision and comply with state regulations. This goal emphasizes a transparent, inclusive and adaptable planning framework. See pages 36-41 of the Plan PDF. 
  • Goal 14: Urbanization aims to ensure an orderly and efficient transition from rural to urban land use, accommodate urban populations within urban growth boundaries (UGBs), and preserve rural and small-town character. See pages 166-173 of the Plan PDF. 

Land Protection

Recognizing the importance of agriculture and forestry to the local economy and environment, the plan includes policies that protect farmland and forested areas from encroaching development. By protecting farmland and forests, the plan helps preserve Benton County’s rural character and support the agrarian economy.

Related State of Oregon Goals
  • Goal 3: Agricultural Lands focuses on preserving and maintaining agricultural lands by implementing policies that protect these areas from non-farm development and support agricultural activities. See pages 42-47 of the Plan PDF. 
  • Goal 4: Forest Lands aims to conserve forest lands by maintaining the forest land base and protecting the state’s forest economy. This goal aligns with Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goal 4, which emphasizes the conservation of forest lands for forest uses. See pages 48-53 of the Plan PDF. 

Open Spaces, Recreation & Natural Areas

To preserve Benton County’s scenic beauty and biodiversity, the plan designates protected open spaces, recreational areas, and critical habitats. Conservation efforts focus on sustaining ecological integrity, such as the conservation and enhancement of the Willamette River Greenway, while providing opportunities for public enjoyment. The plan emphasizes expanding recreational opportunities, ensuring access to parks, trails and outdoor spaces for all residents. These efforts ensure that ecological health, recreational access, and scenic beauty are preserved or enhanced for future generations. 

Related State of Oregon Goals
  • Goal 5: Natural Resources, Scenic & Historic Areas, Open Spaces aims to protect and manage the county’s valuable natural and cultural resources. This goal encompasses a range of objectives and policies designed to conserve these assets for current and future generations. See pages 54-77 of the Plan PDF 
  • Goal 8: Recreational Needs aims to provide a park and open space system that preserves the county’s scenic and natural qualities while offering diverse recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. It highlights the County’s commitment to parks, recreation, accessibility, and trail system expansion. See pages 110-121 of the Plan PDF 
  • Goal 15: Willamette River Greenway seeks to protect, conserve, restore, and enhance the natural, scenic, historical, agricultural, economic, and recreational qualities of the Willamette River Greenway, ensuring sustainable land use and public enjoyment while maintaining ecological integrity. See pages 174-186 of the Plan PDF. 

Environmental Stewardship & Hazard Resilience

The county prioritizes clean air, water, and land conservation while addressing climate resilience and disaster preparedness. Policies safeguard against flooding, wildfire risks, and other natural hazards to protect residents and infrastructure. 

Related State of Oregon Goals
  • Goal 6: Air, Water & Land Resource Quality is dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of these essential resources. The goal is to maintain and improve the quality of air, water, and land resources to meet current needs while ensuring their availability for future generations. Benton County emphasizes cooperation with state and federal agencies, local governments, and citizens to achieve high environmental standards. See pages 78-92 of the Plan PDF. 
  • Goal 7: Natural Hazards aims to protect people, property, infrastructure, and the environment from natural hazards through land use planning, hazard mitigation, and emergency preparedness. See pages 94-108 of the Plan PDF. 

Economic Development, Energy & Housing

The plan focuses on fostering a resilient local economy by supporting businesses, encouraging innovation, and ensuring sustainable development. It also emphasizes the need for a variety of housing options that are affordable. Additionally, the plan promotes energy conservation and sustainable resource management, advocating for the use of renewable energy and efficient land use practices to reduce environmental impact and enhance long-term sustainability.

Related State of Oregon Goals
  • Goal 9: Economic Development seeks to support a stable, sustainable local economy that enhances the health, welfare, and prosperity of its residents through policies promoting business retention, innovation, infrastructure, and workforce development. See pages 122-128 of the Plan PDF. 
  • Goal 10: Housing seeks to ensure that residential development is sustainable, meets housing needs, and provides affordable options while maintaining necessary infrastructure and environmental protections and balancing growth, affordability and sustainability. See pages 130-135 of the Plan PDF. 
  • Goal 13: Energy Conservation aims to conserve energy through sustainable planning and resource management, ensuring efficiency in development and operations while promoting alternative energy solutions. See pages 160-165 of the Plan PDF. 

Transportation & Public Facilities

The county invests in multimodal transportation, including roads, pedestrian paths, and transit, to improve mobility and safety. Public services like water and sewer systems must be properly designed, built, and maintained to protect public health. To ensure clean water, the county requires developments to manage stormwater runoff, use green infrastructure, and implement watershed management strategies to minimize flooding and downstream effects.

Related State of Oregon Goals
  • Goal 11: Public Facilities aims to plan, develop, and maintain public facilities and services in an orderly and efficient manner to support both urban and rural communities while ensuring sustainability, safety, and accessibility. See pages 136-147 of the Plan PDF 
  • Goal 12: Transportation aims to develop a balanced, efficient, and multi-modal transportation system that enhances mobility, economic growth, and environmental sustainability while maintaining safety and accessibility for all residents. See pages 148-158 of the Plan PDF 

Looking Ahead: Shaping the Next Comprehensive Plan

As Benton County prepares for its next comprehensive planning cycle, community participation remains crucial. This is an opportunity for residents to shape policies that will influence future growth, sustainability, and quality of life. By engaging in the process, community members can ensure the plan reflects shared values and priorities.

Whether you are a long-time resident, a business owner, or someone passionate about Benton County’s future, we invite you to be part of this journey.