County gives 1-mile buffer to Pennville (02/27/06)

Jay County Commissioners agreed this morning to give up control for zoning purposes of a one mile fringe area around Pennville, which is in the process of creating its own zoning ordinance.

Town attorney Jim Beitler of Berne and Pennville town board member Steve Cash met with commissioners Milo Miller Jr., Gary Theurer, and Faron Parr this morning to explain a proposed zoning plan commission town board members want to create.

Cash explained that Pennville recently received a grant to allow the formation of a commission that would allow it to undertake its own zoning regulations.

Cash said that gaining control of the one-mile buffer area is an important next step in the zoning process.

A plan commission is not yet in place, Beitler explained, adding that the next step in the process is asking for the fringe territory.

“We need that to establish the commission,” he said.

“Some people are not going to be very happy about that,” Miller told the men. “Now they will be regulated by Pennville (zoning laws).”

The commission will be comprised of seven Pennville residents and two members from the fringe area, Beitler said.

“It will be good for Pennville,” Theurer said, agreeing with the request.

Beitler also suggested hiring current Jay-Portland Building and Planning administrator to also serve as administrator for Pennville. Any additional salary would be paid by the town.

Commissioners instructed attorney Brad Burkett to draw up an ordinance designating the fringe area, and present it to them for their approval.

HNTB Team, Indianapolis, has been serving as the comprehensive planners for the project, Beitler said.

Additionally Monday morning, commissioners, meeting as the Jay County Drainage Board, agreed to help pay for the installation of about 2,000 feet of 10-inch drainage tile for Robert Schmit, a Wabash Township resident.

Schmit told the board of his plans to install tile around a woods owned by his neighbor, Philip Barger, and bring the tile straight south to Ind. 67.

The board learned that the Goss Switzer Watershed, from which the money would be taken for the construction, is currently about $4,700 in the red, and cost for the complete project would be about $20,000.

“(Plastic) tile costs $5.12 per foot today,” Brad Daniels, Jay County Surveyor, told the board.

“We’ll do what we can ... but we need to stay within our guidelines,” Miller said about the costs for the installation. “I’ll feel better about it.”

Commissioners agreed to help as much as they could financially, since some help may be offered as new construction, instead of replacement.

Additionally, the drainage board agreed to allow The Andersons in Dunkirk to construct its own dry retention pond.

Daniels said the grain terminal has asked to construct the pond behind its building between two set of railroad tracks.

“They want the water to pond there instead of in front of the building,” Daniels explained.

Miller asked that The Andersons officials submit plans for the board’s approval.

Additionally, the drainage board approved the combined assessment of three properties in the county, and asked for a clearer description of another.

Commissioners approved the requests from Billie and Linda Taylor, 14 S. Meridian St., Redkey; Don Brown, owner of a fruit market in New Mt. Pleasant, and one from Clinton Douglas Mink.

Mink asked for combining the assessments for two properties in Redkey, but the board approved only one and asked for more facts on another.

A request for properties at Sherman and George streets was granted, but a request to combine the assessments at High and Elm streets was tabled because the board wants to know about the purpose of a 50-foot slab on the property.

“I have a feeling it was for an old mobile home,” Miller said, explaining that before the exception can be granted, the concrete slab must be removed.

Those properties are currently receiving separate drainage assessments, Daniels explained, and by granting the exceptions, only one drainage assessment will be collected each year, saving the landowners about $20.

Also Monday morning, commissioners heard rural New Mount Pleasant resident Jim Roysden express concern about the number of junk vehicles in the area in that part of the county.

“How can you have zoning laws and they keep putting old cars out there?” Roysden asked.

Burkett told commissioners the zoning laws would have to be enforced by the Jay County Sheriff’s department.[[In-content Ad]]