The League of Women Voters of Licking County | The Reporting Project
OBSERVER REPORT
Government Body Observed: Licking County Planning Commission
Meeting Date: 08/26/2024
Meeting Details
Attendance: Board, 11; Staff 5; Public on Zoom, 8; Public attending ~50
Public Comment: A couple living in the Turtle Creek Development asked the Board to revisit and repeal its previous decision to have only one entry – Cherokee Trail -- to a new section serving 100 additional homes. Because of the size of the road and its lack of curbs, it is already dangerous for school children and other pedestrians and cannot take the additional traffic.
Old Business: None
New Business: Link to Full Packet
New Business
a. Consent Agenda
1. SDR-24-3
Regulation: Licking County Subdivision Regulations
Articles: Section 304: Replat
Description: Replat of Lots 183, 184, 185, 186, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, and 219 to form Lots 217-A and 183-A within the Edgewater Beach Subdivision. The applicant and her son request to reconfigure their lots from nine to two.
Staff recommends approval with conditions.
Township: Licking
Applicant: Cheryl McFarland
LCPC Planner: Noah Campbell, Assistant Planner
Voted approval with conditions.
b. Quasi-judicial Hearings for Variance and Subdivision Applications
1. V-24-28
Regulation: Licking County Access Management Regulations
Articles: Section 8.10; Table 13: AASHTO Safe Stopping Sight Distance
Description: A request for a new driveway location for a property located on Pleasant Chapel Rd. which fails to meet AASHTO Safe Sight Stopping Distance (550 feet) for a 55 mph Minor Collector Roadway. Applicant desires entry to a parcel of vacant land to access a new barn, and eventually to build a residence.
Staff recommends approval.
Township: Franklin
Applicant: Scott Ryan
LCPC Planner: Angela Farley, Development and Design Manager
Voted to approve.
2. V-24-29
Regulation: Licking County Subdivision Regulations
Articles: Section 503; Table 14: Driveway to Driveway Spacing Requirements
Description: A request for a new driveway location as part of a proposed lot split for a property located on Montgomery Road which fails to meet Driveway to Driveway Spacing Requirements (250 feet) for Minor Collector Roadway. Owner wants to sell part of the lot to Tommy Harrah for a new residence.
Staff recommends approval.
Township: Madison
Applicant: Seth McMahan
LCPC Planner: Brad Mercer, Interim Director
Voted to approve.
3. SDP-24-1
Regulation: Licking County Subdivision Regulations
Articles: Section 302.4: Preliminary Plan
Description: Carter Point. Application proposes developing half of a 44 acre parcel for additional commercial use that now includes Carter-Jones lumber yard. Proposes extending Crum Drive, a public road, which intersects a common private drive that extends to Rt. 40. Expansion will include a machinery dealership and repair. One of the conditions is that the EPA approve a plan to mitigate some wetlands. Some members expressed reservations about the private drive being used as a road connecting with Rt. 40.
Staff recommend approval of the preliminary plan with conditions .
Township: Etna
Applicant: Ohio Machinery
LCPC Planner: Brad Mercer, Interim Director
Voted to approve with conditions.
4. SDF-23-1
Regulation: Licking County Subdivision Regulations
Articles: Section 302.5: Final Plat
Description: Eden Estates. Propose dividing 44.5 acres into 5 lots.
Staff recommend approval with conditions.
Township: Union
Applicant: Terry Tackett
LCPC Planner: Angela Farley, Development and Design Manager
Voted to approve.
5. SDF-22-3
Regulation: Licking County Subdivision Regulations
Articles: Section 302.5: Final Plat
Description: Plat of Royal Acres Section 2, Phases 2 and 3 and Replat of Royal Acres Section 2, Phase 1. Plan calls for 19 lots within 23.7 acres and the extension of two existing roadways. This is phase 3 of a development that dates from the 1970s.
Staff recommend approval with conditions.
Township: Etna
Applicant: CCBI, LCC, C/o Paul Cugini, Owner
LCPC Planner: Angela Farley, Development and Design Manager
Voted to approve with conditions.
6. SDP-23-2
Regulation: Licking County Subdivision Regulations
Section(s): Section 302.4: Preliminary Plan
Description: Scotland Ridge, Phases 2-4. Proposes a subdivision of 99 lots on 44 acres.
Staff recommend approval with conditions.
Township: Harrison
Applicant: Homewood Corporation, C/o William Moorhead
LCPC Planner: Angela Farley, Development and Design Manager
Voted approval with conditions.
c. Public Meeting for Township Zoning Amendment – Reviews and Recommendations and County Regulation Amendments
7. Z-24-14
Regulation: Union Township Zoning Resolution
Articles: Section 5.06: Submission to County Planning Commission; Section 8.01: Agricultural District (AG); and Section 9.00: Rural Residential – 4 (RR-4)
Description: A request for a non-binding recommendation for a proposed map amendment to the Union Township Zoning Resolution to rezone 12.00 acres from Agricultural District (AG) to Rural Residential – 4 District (RR-4).
Staff recommend a non-binding recommendation of approval.
Township: Union
Applicant: Union Township Zoning Commission (c/o Curt Painter)
LCPC Planner: Angela Farley, Development and Design Manager
Voted a non-binding recommendation to approve.
8. Z-24-15
Regulation: Liberty Township Zoning Resolution
Articles: Section 606: Submission to County Planning Commission; Section 812: Heavy Industrial District (HI)
Description: A request for a non-binding recommendation for a proposed text amendment to the Liberty Township Zoning Resolution for Section 812: Heavy Industrial District (HI). The purpose of the amendment is to only allow uses within the Heavy Industrial District which are required by the ORC. The township also wants to be able to regulate via conditional use permits.
Staff recommends non-binding recommendation of conditional approval.
Township: Liberty
Applicant: Liberty Township Zoning Commission (c/o Melodie Bogantz, Clerk)
LCPC Planner: Jay Fisher, CFM, Assistant Planning Manager & Special Projects Planner
Voted a non-binding recommendation of conditional approval.
9. Z-24-17
Regulation: St. Albans Township Zoning Resolution
Articles: Section 606: Submission to County Planning Commission; Article 15: General Business District (GB), and Article 17: Agriculture District (AG)
Description: A request for a non-binding recommendation for a proposed Map amendment to the St. Albans Township Zoning Resolution to rezone 91+ acres, involving Parcel ID#s 066-318834-00.001 and 066-318834-00.000, from Agricultural District (AG) to General Business District (GB). Staff recommend denial because there is no water and sewer in this area and there are no specific plans for building that would speak to rezoning. It would amount to spot zoning
Township: St. Albans
Applicant: St. Albans Township Zoning Commission (c/o Rae Ann Crawford, Secretary)
LCPC Planner: Jay Fisher, CFM, Assistant Planning Manager & Special Projects Planner
Voted a non-binding recommendation to approve, going against the staff recommendation. The Staff’s report had included an erroneous judgment that the proposed amendment did not comply with the township’s Comprehensive Plan and Future Use Maps. When that was corrected, the board voted to reject the staff recommendation.
The applications that followed this one had incorporated the same error. Audience members advocating for denial mentioned a proposed merger in the works between Alexandria and the Township that will require zoning revisions, speaking to the advisability of delay. Others advocating for approval referenced compliance with long-term planning and also that the absence of utilities was not crucial for many businesses in that area currently.
10. Z-24-18
Regulation: St. Albans Township Zoning Resolution
Articles: Section 606: Submission to County Planning Commission; Article 15: General Business District (GB), and Article 17: Agriculture District (AG)
Description: A request for a non-binding recommendation for a proposed Map amendment to the St. Albans Township Zoning Resolution to rezone 3 + acres, located at 1377 Legend Lane Road (Parcel ID# 066-319152-00.001), from Agricultural District (AG) to General Business District (GB). Staff recommends denial. There is no water and sewer in this area and there are no specific plans for building that would speak to rezoning. It would amount to spot zoning.
Township: St. Albans
Applicant: St. Albans Township Zoning Commission (c/o Rae Ann Crawford, Secretary)
LCPC Planner: Jay Fisher, CFM, Assistant Planning Manager & Special Projects Planner
Voted a non-binding recommendation to approve, going against the staff recommendation.
11. Z-24-19
Regulation: St. Albans Township Zoning Resolution
Articles: Section 606: Submission to County Planning Commission; Article 15: General Business District (GB), and Article 17: Agriculture District (AG)
Description: A request for a non-binding recommendation for a proposed Map amendment to the St. Albans Township Zoning Resolution to rezone 1.27 + acres, located at 6414 Davison Lane Road (Parcel ID# 066-317826-01.000), from Agricultural District (AG) to General Business District (GB). Staff recommends denial. There is no water and sewer in this area and there are no specific plans for building that would speak to rezoning. It would amount to spot zoning.
Township: St. Albans
Applicant: St. Albans Township Zoning Commission (c/o Rae Ann Crawford, Secretary)
LCPC Planner: Jay Fisher, CFM, Assistant Planning Manager & Special Projects Planner
Voted a non-binding recommendation to approve, going against the staff recommendation.
12. Z-24-20
Regulation: St. Albans Township Zoning Resolution
Articles: Section 606: Submission to County Planning Commission; Article 15: General Business District (GB), and Article 17: Agriculture District (AG)
Description: A request for a non-binding recommendation for a proposed Map amendment to the St. Albans Township Zoning Resolution to rezone 1.86 + acres, located at 6484 Davison Lane Road (Parcel ID# 066-317826-00.001), from Agricultural District (AG) to General Business District (GB). Staff recommends non-binding recommendation for denial. There is no water and sewer in this area and there are no specific plans for building that would speak to rezoning. It would amount to spot zoning.
Township: St. Albans
Applicant: St. Albans Township Zoning Commission (c/o Rae Ann Crawford, Secretary)
LCPC Planner: Jay Fisher, CFM, Assistant Planning Manager & Special Projects Planner
Voted a non-binding recommendation to approve, going against the staff recommendation.
13. Z-24-21
Regulation: St. Albans Township Zoning Resolution
Articles: Section 606: Submission to County Planning Commission; Article 15: General Business District (GB), and Article 17: Agriculture District (AG)
Description: A request for a non-binding recommendation for a proposed Map amendment to the St. Albans Township Zoning Resolution to rezone 136.65 + acres, involving, 6472 Davison Lane Road (Parcel ID#s 066-317826-00.000 & 066-317820-00.000), Parcel ID# 066-317832-00.000, 066-317514-01.001, and 6297 Worthington Road (Parcel ID# 066-317514-01.000), from Agricultural District (AG) to General Business District (GB).
Staff recommends non-binding recommendation of denial because of the lack of water and sewer, with planned expansion several years away, and no currently planned use for the parcels involved, This could be considered spot zoning.
Township: St. Albans
Applicant: St. Albans Township Zoning Commission (c/o Rae Ann Crawford, Secretary)
LCPC Planner: Jay Fisher, CFM, Assistant Planning Manager & Special Projects Planner
Voted a non-binding recommendation to approve, going against the staff recommendation.
14. Z-24-22
Regulation: St. Albans Township Zoning Resolution
Articles: Section 606: Submission to County Planning Commission; Article 16: Manufacturing & Distribution District (M&D), and Article 17: Agriculture District (AG)
Description: A request for a non-binding recommendation for a proposed Map amendment to the St. Albans Township Zoning Resolution to rezone 72.5 + acres, involving, 9012 Morse Road (Parcel ID# 066-318168-00.002), from Agricultural District (AG) to Manufacturing & Distribution District (M&D).
Staff recommends denial because of the lack of water and sewer. With planned expansion several years away, and no currently planned use for the parcels involved, this could be considered spot zoning.
Township: St. Albans
Applicant: St. Albans Township Zoning Commission (c/o Rae Ann Crawford, Secretary)
LCPC Planner: Jay Fisher, CFM, Assistant Planning Manager & Special Projects Planner
Voted a non-binding recommendation to approve, going against the staff recommendation.
15. Z-24-23
Regulation: St. Albans Township Zoning Resolution
Articles: Section 606: Submission to County Planning Commission; Article 12: Landscaping, Buffering, Screening, & Fences; Article 13: Planned Unit Development (PUD); Article 14: Neighborhood Business District (NB);Article 15: General Business District (GB); Article 16: Manufacturing & Distribution District (M&D); Article17: Agricultural District (AG); Article 18: Rural Residential District (RR); Article 19: Multi-Residential District (MR); Article 20: Floodplain Overlay District (FP); Article 21: Conservation/Natural Recreation District (CN); and Article 22: Mixed Use District
Description: A request for a non-binding recommendation for a proposed text amendment to the St. Albans Township Zoning Resolution for Articles 12 through 22.
Staff recommend approval of two of these (20 and 21) and denial of the others.
Township: St. Albans
Applicant: St. Albans Township Zoning Commission (c/o Rae Ann Crawford, Secretary)
LCPC Planner: Brad Mercer, Interim Director
Voted a non-binding recommendation to follow the staff’s recommendations.
16. Z-24-25
Regulation: Monroe Township Zoning Resolution
Articles: Section 6.5: Submission to County Planning Commission; Section 23: Transportation Corridor Overlay District; Section 24: Mixed Use District; Section 25: M&D Manufacturing & Distribution District; and Section 26: FV, Farm Village District
Description: A request for a non-binding recommendation for a proposed text amendment to the Monroe Township Zoning Resolution for the additions of Sections 23 through 26.
Staff recommends denial because the proposed zoning text amendment does not appear to fully comply with the Ohio Revised Code and needs additional development before it is suitable for adoption.
Township: Monroe
Applicant: Monroe Township Zoning Commission (c/o Woody Fox, Zoning Inspector)
LCPC Planner: Brad Mercer, Interim Director
Woody Fox testified that they are close to getting a new zoning plan ready.
Voted to table the application for 30 days.
Next Meeting: September 23, 2024
Related documents, websites:
The Reporting Project Article on this meeting
Observer Notes: A somewhat contentious discussion. The St Albans cases were not well managed by the staff, who had made a substantive clerical error on the point about whether proposals complied with comprehensive planning and future land use plans. The result was that the board voted to reject the planner's recommendation on several applications and then voted on each again to confirm approval of the applications affected by this error. Some residents advocated for delaying any rezoning until a proposed merger of Alexandria and St. Albans could be voted on. Others saw no reason to hold up applications that complied with current zoning and planning documents.
Observer: Rita Kipp
Submission Date: 08/27/2024
Reviewer: Karen Semer