New APC Members Welcomed, Code Changes Discussed
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Two "new" members were welcomed to the Area Plan Commission Wednesday.
County Councilwoman Charlene Knipsel and County Commissioner Avis Gunter were added to the board per state statute.
The commissioners had to choose between County Surveyor Dick Kemper and Extension Educator Kelly Easterday and chose the surveyor last week.
Rounding out the nine-member commission are Vic Virgil, representing small towns; Don Ahrms, representing county school boards; Norm Lovell, for Milford; Charles Haffner, representing Syracuse; Kevin McSherry, appointed by the county commissioners; and Larry Coplen, appointed by the county council.
Director Dan Richard said the meeting was the first in many years to have no petitions for rezoning, exceptions or variances. However, there was a full agenda.
Two final plats were approved, followed by discussion about changing county ordinances.
The CARR Development plat for a residential subdivision with commercial lots was approved at the corner of Ind. 13 and CR 500N. To be named Oaklawn Hill, Phase I of the development will have 53-single family home lots. Sewer service will be provided by North Webster's treatment plant.
A total of 97 single-family homes are planned for the project.
John Sturgel, representing Carr, said he believed all revisions requested by the APC have been met. He submitted road name changes; said sidewalks, curbs and gutters would be installed; and individual lots would be pinned after utilities are installed.
A $970,000 surety bond was presented.
The final plat for Harvest Ridge, west of CR 175E and south of CR 175N also was approved, although it was submitted for review late Tuesday afternoon.
Richard said the planning office likes to have a couple of days to study a plat and check figures.
This 11-plus acre development consists of 11 duplex units for seniors. This is a change from the original 13 duplex units because a recreational building is planned on two lots. The facility also will house recreational vehicles indoors. Use of the building will be limited to residents of the subdivision.
Lawyer Steve Snyder, representing Kelly/Miller Investments, said the health department granted septic system permits for all lots.
A $125,000 letter of credit was submitted.
The plat was approved pending a final check of drainage figures.
Virgil said he wanted to accommodate the developers but didn't want to set a precedent by hearing plats submitted less than 24 hours in advance.
Larry Long, of Long and Associates, apologized for the short notice, saying it was his fault for submitting the plat late Tuesday.
The commissioners discussed several ordinance amendments including:
• Adding auto service and repair to excepted uses in light industrial, I-2, zones.
• Changing the minimum square footage on lots without public sewer by increasing them to 20,000 square feet in agricultural and residential zones with a minimum of 10,000 square feet for additional structures.
• Recommending no improvement location permits will be required for retaining walls holding the existing natural grade or for satellite receivers no more than 2 feet in diameter. The receivers may not be closer than 10 feet to any property line bordering a right of way, road or easement.
• Adding the phrase "finished natural grade level" to the definition of platforms. Platforms may be 12 inches from the grade level and go to the water's edge.
Property owners get around the platform rule by filling in under decking.
• A lengthy discussion about the definitions of reconstruction, which requires a permit, and remodeling, which is permit-free.
Assistant Planner Matt Sandy said other counties' ordinances vary widely. Some require a permit for the installation of a new window or residing.
McSherry suggested any construction of a building remaining on the same foundation to the same height is remodeling. If the foundation or height varied, it is reconstruction.
The commissioners also:
• Heard the planning department was working with Claypool and Silver Lake town councils regarding future zoning.
• Heard the next lake residential zone committee will meet at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Munson building.
Coplen said he felt like the issue was being strung out and that the majority opinion was not being reflected.
Richard said adjustments were being made to the proposed ordinance and that it would come to the APC for review.
Haffner, who sits on the committee, commented many interested people will be at the next meeting.
"They want to go from A to Z but they'll have to stop at certain points to consider issues B and C and take small steps," he said. [[In-content Ad]]
Two "new" members were welcomed to the Area Plan Commission Wednesday.
County Councilwoman Charlene Knipsel and County Commissioner Avis Gunter were added to the board per state statute.
The commissioners had to choose between County Surveyor Dick Kemper and Extension Educator Kelly Easterday and chose the surveyor last week.
Rounding out the nine-member commission are Vic Virgil, representing small towns; Don Ahrms, representing county school boards; Norm Lovell, for Milford; Charles Haffner, representing Syracuse; Kevin McSherry, appointed by the county commissioners; and Larry Coplen, appointed by the county council.
Director Dan Richard said the meeting was the first in many years to have no petitions for rezoning, exceptions or variances. However, there was a full agenda.
Two final plats were approved, followed by discussion about changing county ordinances.
The CARR Development plat for a residential subdivision with commercial lots was approved at the corner of Ind. 13 and CR 500N. To be named Oaklawn Hill, Phase I of the development will have 53-single family home lots. Sewer service will be provided by North Webster's treatment plant.
A total of 97 single-family homes are planned for the project.
John Sturgel, representing Carr, said he believed all revisions requested by the APC have been met. He submitted road name changes; said sidewalks, curbs and gutters would be installed; and individual lots would be pinned after utilities are installed.
A $970,000 surety bond was presented.
The final plat for Harvest Ridge, west of CR 175E and south of CR 175N also was approved, although it was submitted for review late Tuesday afternoon.
Richard said the planning office likes to have a couple of days to study a plat and check figures.
This 11-plus acre development consists of 11 duplex units for seniors. This is a change from the original 13 duplex units because a recreational building is planned on two lots. The facility also will house recreational vehicles indoors. Use of the building will be limited to residents of the subdivision.
Lawyer Steve Snyder, representing Kelly/Miller Investments, said the health department granted septic system permits for all lots.
A $125,000 letter of credit was submitted.
The plat was approved pending a final check of drainage figures.
Virgil said he wanted to accommodate the developers but didn't want to set a precedent by hearing plats submitted less than 24 hours in advance.
Larry Long, of Long and Associates, apologized for the short notice, saying it was his fault for submitting the plat late Tuesday.
The commissioners discussed several ordinance amendments including:
• Adding auto service and repair to excepted uses in light industrial, I-2, zones.
• Changing the minimum square footage on lots without public sewer by increasing them to 20,000 square feet in agricultural and residential zones with a minimum of 10,000 square feet for additional structures.
• Recommending no improvement location permits will be required for retaining walls holding the existing natural grade or for satellite receivers no more than 2 feet in diameter. The receivers may not be closer than 10 feet to any property line bordering a right of way, road or easement.
• Adding the phrase "finished natural grade level" to the definition of platforms. Platforms may be 12 inches from the grade level and go to the water's edge.
Property owners get around the platform rule by filling in under decking.
• A lengthy discussion about the definitions of reconstruction, which requires a permit, and remodeling, which is permit-free.
Assistant Planner Matt Sandy said other counties' ordinances vary widely. Some require a permit for the installation of a new window or residing.
McSherry suggested any construction of a building remaining on the same foundation to the same height is remodeling. If the foundation or height varied, it is reconstruction.
The commissioners also:
• Heard the planning department was working with Claypool and Silver Lake town councils regarding future zoning.
• Heard the next lake residential zone committee will meet at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Munson building.
Coplen said he felt like the issue was being strung out and that the majority opinion was not being reflected.
Richard said adjustments were being made to the proposed ordinance and that it would come to the APC for review.
Haffner, who sits on the committee, commented many interested people will be at the next meeting.
"They want to go from A to Z but they'll have to stop at certain points to consider issues B and C and take small steps," he said. [[In-content Ad]]