MOUNT VERNON — Knox County Regional Planning Commission members scheduled public hearings on Together Knox, the county’s updated comprehensive plan.
Meeting on Jan. 14, Land Use Committee members discussed and recommended moving the draft plan forward to the full commission.
At the commission meeting on Jan. 15, Area Development Foundation President Jeff Gottke reviewed the update process and distributed printed copies to the township officials present.
He will also deliver a copy to those who were not present.
Gottke said the state has no statutory requirements how the RPC evaluates the draft plan, and townships have no statutory role in approving the plan.
Additionally, the plan is not binding on townships.
However, the county commissioners are asking for feedback and have asked townships to comment within 30 days.
“We’re asking that all feedback be delivered through the website,” Gottke said. “That all gets attached to the plan as an addendum.”
RPC members scheduled two public hearings on the updated comprehensive plan:
•Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 10 a.m. in the Knox County Service Center, 117 E. High St.
•Thursday, Feb. 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Memorial Theater, 112 E. High St.
Secretary Darrel Severns said the RPC will vote on the plan at its Feb. 20 meeting.
If the RPC votes to recommend the plan to the commissioners, the commissioners will hold two public hearings.
The City of Mount Vernon also plans to hold public hearings and give the draft plan three readings during regular council sessions.
In other business, RPC members voted to recommend approving the revised zoning resolution for Berlin Township.
HB 315
Kyle Brooks, director of governmental affairs for the Ohio Township Association, updated commission members on recent legislative actions at the Ohio Statehouse.
HB 315 includes 17 laws specific to townships. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed it on Jan. 2. It takes effect in April.
One provision changes the requirements for public notices. Currently, townships are required to post public notices in a newspaper.
Under HB 315, townships can post the notices on their township website and social media, Ohio’s official public notice site, or the print or digital publication of a newspaper of general circulation in the township.
Brooks noted the state previously granted municipalities the ability to post notices on their website and social media accounts.
“We wanted that ability. It made sense, and it’s cost savings,” he said.
HB 315 also provides teeth to township zoning enforcement.
Ohio courts have held that fines for violations are enforceable through criminal action. HB 315 makes it clear that it is a civil fine, and townships can enforce penalties through a civil action.
“We kept the fine number the same, but we also made it clear that it’s per day,” Brooks said. “If you actually have to take them to court, maybe that cost benefit is there.”
The bill appropriated $1.5 million for updating comprehensive and land use plans (Housing Technical Assistance Program).
“This is for everybody. That was one of the sticking points. It’s not just for townships, it’s not just for cities and villages. Anybody can apply,” Brooks said.
“I don’t have details that I can share; we just talked broad concepts. But it’s going to be a push for help for local governments and a push for housing.”
HB 315 also gives townships the right to expand TIFs (Tax Increment Financing).
136th General Assembly
Brooks said that infighting relating to the battle for Speaker of the House prevented the 135th General Assembly from getting things done.
He expects the new speaker, Matt Huffman, and Senate President Rob McCulley will change that.
According to Brooks, potential priorities in the next two years include lodging taxes, the ability to zone or restrict short-term rentals, a rental registry, small solar zoning, streamlining processes, property tax, recreational marijuana, and school funding.
RPC reports
Severns said 12 townships have returned resolutions and membership dues for 2025. Membership deadline is in March.
“ I think this is going to be a pretty active year for the planning commission, and we’d like to have all your voices there,” he said.
Topics on the horizon include revising the subdivision regulations and zoning issues.
Lot splits have been fairly steady, and Severns is finishing a record-keeping system for the Knox County Soil and Water District (KCSWD) for 2024 lot splits.
Danville is considering revitalizing an old trailer park with 23 ranch homes. A new playground, electrical upgrades, and a renovated memorial are on tap for the village park.
KCSWD will hold its annual pancake luncheon on March 21 at the Memorial Building.
