MOUNT VERNON — Unease with building code language and a desire for more time caused the Knox County Regional Planning Commission to table Thursday’s vote on the draft comprehensive plan.
Eighteen members voted to table the vote. Two voted no, and three abstained.
The steering committee and Planning NEXT released the draft plan on Jan. 16. RPC held public hearings on Feb. 5 and Feb. 13.
Harrison Township trustees passed a resolution stating they opposed passing the plan as written because it “seems to be a way of taking more control of townships.”
Thursday’s 53-minute-long discussion revolved primarily around building codes and Objective 4.7 in Chapter 3.
The consensus is that building codes language stating ” … how such codes could be implemented …” should be changed to “whether, how, or if such codes could or should be implemented… .”
Jefferson Township Trustee Monica Severns also said the language “ … provide opinions … on the need and feasibility for building codes” should be changed to “ … if there is a need …”
“The way this plan reads, it is moving in the direction of finding a way to get building codes investigated to a level of implementation,” she said. “I feel like it is tilted in the direction of moving forward building codes.”
Why building codes?
Severns and Fredericktown’s Andy Fox questioned why the consultants included building codes in the draft plan, considering the community opposed them at previous public hearings.
“About 150 or 200 people voiced their opinions on building codes. There was a lot of opposition,” Fox said.
RPC chair Roger Yarman said he understands the county needs building codes but noted the county was against it 15 years ago.
“They didn’t understand that some stuff you can do yourself,” he said. “They need education on what building codes can do and what building codes can’t do. There’s nothing wrong with leaving something in there. The county can come back to it at a later time if they would be needed for some reason.”
‘More of a voice’
Kris Caldwell said Milford Township trustees are concerned the consultants will not hear their voices.
RPC secretary Darrel Severns said the consultants will include the trustees’ feedback in an addendum attached to the plan.
The commissioners will consider those comments when deciding whether to accept the plan. They will also hold two public hearings to solicit feedback.
“As much as I appreciate the work that Planning NEXT and Jeff [Gottke] and everybody’s put into it, I think there still needs to be time for the townships to have more of a voice,” Liberty Township’s Marta Hill said.
“I know we’ve had meetings in the boxes; I know we’ve had public hearings. But this draft was just handed to us four weeks ago.”
County Commissioner Barry Lester said there is no rush to pass the plan.
“Everybody needs to be on board with it. I’ll say that as a commissioner. This isn’t something that we’re going to approve next week. If it takes longer for everybody to get their information, it takes longer,” he said.
Hilliar Township Trustee Jason Rogers noted that the plan does not include the township’s previously submitted planning map.
“How can I say let’s pass this forward to the commissioners when what we’ve already done is not even in it?” Rogers asked.
“[Planning NEXT] said you’re going to come around again and get our input.Why don’t we do that input and then come back to regional planning and send it to the commissioners once all that input has been put into it?”
Moving the draft comprehensive plan forward
Six commission members said they attended one of the public hearings.
Several attended the RPC, Mount Vernon City Council, and county commissioners’ joint meeting on Feb. 17.
About half said they had read all or part of the plan.
The Area Development Foundation delivered a printed copy of the plan to each township, and it is also available online.
On Thursday, several members requested another copy.
ADF President Jeff Gottke reiterated that consultants can alter the plan at any time up until the commissioners decide.
“Then it becomes final, and then it actually goes to the recorder’s office,” he said.
When RPC votes on whether to move the plan forward to the commissioners, it can submit comments or conditions along with its recommendation. Once it goes to the commissioners, they will hold two public hearings.
The commissioners also plan to hold meetings in each of the county’s four quadrants to obtain additional feedback.
Lester said the plan should help trustees determine their desired growth pattern and development path.
“I think people get confused that this is some type of resolution or law that everybody will get fed, and it’s not really how it works,” he said.
In response to Gottke’s question about what RPC wants from him in the next 30 days, Hill suggested having another meeting where Planning NEXT consultants summarize and explain the plan.
The comprehensive plan is a guide for development and growth and is not legally binding.
