Council to schedule hearing on roadway

The Benton City Council will approve holding a public hearing later this month for a Saline County resident who is asking for the city to abandon a right of way on a street.

Jeff Harrison sued the city five years ago after trying to develop a municipal road near his property. Harrison tried to develop part of Dixie Street in the Ralph Bunche neighborhood, but the city stopped him and told him he had to abide by city standards to build the road, City Attorney Brent Houston said. Harrison then sued.

The court ruled for the city, agreeing that Harrison couldn’t build the road unless he built it to municipal standards.

So Harrison went another route, to the Saline County Quorum Court, Houston said. Harrison told that governing body he wanted a private roadway behind his home because he didn’t have access to his property, Houston said. But the county disagreed with him.

Harrison is trying yet another time, asking Benton for the right of way on Dixie Street for an alley, Houston said, adding that the county resident would like to transport gravel.

The city is obligated to hold the hearing, but it does not have to agree to transfer the right of way, he said. If any of the surrounding property owners object to the idea, the city won’t agree to the transfer, Houston said.

Some council members voiced concerns that Dixie Street was too narrow for a gravel truck, which would ruin the roads.

The council will approve the hearing at its Aug. 25 meeting.