MOUNT VERNON — Regional Planning Commission members on Thursday agreed they wanted more information as to why they should financially support the Knox County Area Development Foundation.
The RPC received a letter from the ADF requesting a $750 contribution each of the next three years. In response to a question on the function of ADF, County Commissioner Thom Collier explained that ADF serves as the economic development arm of the county.
Another commission member questioned whether financial support would be a conflict of interest. RPC secretary Darrel Severns had the same thought, noting that the RPC has a somewhat regulatory function to ensure development is done in an orderly manner.
Collier said that since RPC’s economic development committee has not met, he could see the ADF as the economic development arm for the commission. He noted that the ADF cannot make decisions for the city, villages, or townships but rather expresses the desires of those entities to potential developers.
Commission members decided to invite Jeff Gottke, president of the ADF, to attend an RPC meeting next year to explain the ADF’s role and how it relates to the commission.
Commission members voted to recommend denying a rezoning request for a parcel in Jefferson Township. The 8.291-acre parcel at 22111 Jericho Road is zoned agriculture; owners Jerry and Elsie Miller requested a zoning change to light manufacturing in order to operate a sawmill.
Access to the property is via a verbal agreement to use a neighbor’s private driveway. Commission members recommended denying the rezoning due to lack of direct access and the surrounding properties being agriculture or residential.
The Millers also own about 200 acres of woods adjacent to the 8.291-acre parcel. They are allowed to harvest wood from property they own and cut it in their sawmill. However, they are not allowed to bring in lumber to be cut.
Commission members adopted a proposed budget for 2023. The budget reflects $51,000 in revenue, $71,300 in appropriations, and a $105,502 carryover.
In his commissioners’ report, Collier said the commissioners will hold two public hearings to get input on a residential building code for the county’s unincorporated areas.
Collier said the code will follow the state’s residential building code and likely start with new construction. He noted that builders are already supposed to be following state code, but there is no active enforcement in the county. Agriculture buildings are exempt.
The hearings are scheduled on the following dates:
•Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at 6 pm, Memorial Theater
•Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, 10 am, commissioners’ office, 117 E. High St.
Reporting for the City of Mount Vernon, Mike Hillier said there is legislation before city council accepting the annexation of a 0.56-acre parcel on Martinsburg Road. The city has agreed to provide police, fire, EMS, and stormwater services to the parcel but not water or sewer.
Gambier Mayor Leeman Kessler reported that the village is working on a zoning update. Public hearings will be held in January.
Kessler said the village is awaiting final word on whether the Ohio Department of Transportation will install a roundabout at Ohio 229 and Ohio 308. However, the village and township are proceeding as if it will happen. If it does, Kessler said Ohio 229 will be totally shut down for six months.
Severns said the commission is considering holding a training workshop on zoning at its January orientation meeting. The Knox County prosecutor is working on a new township zoning procedure manual.
