MOUNT VERNON — Twenty Regional Planning Commission members approved the final plat for Phase 2 of the Table Rock Estates subdivision at their Oct. 17 meeting.
Developers Jeff and Chris Hackett, RPC Secretary Darrel Severns, and Knox County Commissioner Thom Collier officially signed the plans following the unanimous vote.
Phase 2 involves 16 lots on a private roadway accessed off Wilson Road just outside of Centerburg. RPC Land Use Chair Steve Bratton noted that the Hacketts complied with corrections and suggestions during the plat’s review phase.
Officials signed off on Phase 1 in August 2022. Table Rock Estates Phase 1 encompasses 11, 2-acre lots. The homes in both phases have individual septic and water.
Related to land use, Bratton said the county subdivision regulations need to be updated. The committee is considering hiring an outside consultant to do the update.
In RPC business, members approved population estimates for the county, payment of $18,532 to Knox County Soil & Water Conservation District for RPC’s share of Severns’ salary, and $50,000 to the Area Development Foundation for RPC’s share of the comprehensive plan update.
Eighteen voted yes on the ADF payment, one voted no, and two members abstained.
Carol Grubaugh, executive director of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, provided an overview of the chamber’s services.
Established 24 years ago, the chamber is a 501(c)(6) organization that “exists as a voice for business.”
The 430 members range from home-based occupations to large corporations. The chamber is solely self-funded and offers educational programs related to human resources, the Bureau of Workers Compensation, and employee manuals, among other topics.
“We are here to promote commerce,” Grubaugh told the RPC members.
Comprehensive plan update
Severns told the members about a Focus on the Future workshop set for Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The Together Knox steering committee will share community input and data gathered thus far in the plan’s update. Community members can view the data and provide input.
A panel discussion from 6 to 7:30 p.m. highlights topics relevant to the comprehensive plan. Panelists are from Small Nation, OneColumbus, and Kenyon College.
The workshop is slated for The Woodward Opera House, 107 S. Main St, Mount Vernon.
Miscellaneous reports
Commissioners: Collier reported crews are putting in new windows and replacing HVAC units in the Knox County Service Center at 117 E. High St. Improvements to the back entrance on Chestnut Street will not start until spring 2025.
The commissioners are waiting for the federal government to release funds for the new Knox Area Transit hub on West High Street. After completing union contracts, they will begin the 2025 budget process.
Mount Vernon: Mayor Matt Starr reported that work has started on the splash pad and noted two city referendums on the November 5 ballot.
The city will dedicate Liberty Plaza in American Heritage Park on Monday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m.
He also reported the city’s update to its zoning code resulted in fewer cases being brought to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Knox Public Health: KPH is still working with many lot splits. Building is down but still consistent. Money remains to help homeowners with the repair or replacement of septic systems.
Knox Soil & Water Conservation District: KSWCD will offer a training session in December on the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean water certification program.
