Pennville makes bid for zoning (04/07/08)

Pennville's efforts to establish zoning will go to the Jay County Planning Commission for review.

Town council members, who have approved a zoning ordinance as an addendum to the county's zoning system, are seeking to extend Pennville's control to include a two-mile buffer zone around the town.

But Jay County Commissioners said today that two miles may be excessive.

"That's a pretty big area for a small community," said commissioner Gary Theurer.

"We've had some (planning commission) members in the past who thought two miles was too much."

Pennville officials noted the town's well is one and a half miles outside the corporate limits, and there is interest in making sure the town has zoning control around the well.

Representing Pennville were husband and wife Ralph and Pat Frazee. Pat is president of the town council, while Ralph is Pennville Marshal in addition to his duties as director of county emergency management. Also present this morning was Greg LeMaster, who serves as Pennville's attorney.

Portland has a two-mile buffer zone that was in place before the county adopted zoning, while Dunkirk has a half-mile buffer zone.

Also yet to be determined is how Pennville would share administrative costs since the ordinance would be enforced by the Jay County Building and Planning office. That office would also be asked to enforce an unsafe building ordinance which has been approved by the Pennville Town Council.

Commissioners were supportive of Pennville's efforts to enact zoning, though they will wait to give final approval until after receiving a recommendation from the planning commission.

"As far as planning goes, more power to you," said commissioner Milo Miller Jr.

Zoning administrator Bill Milligan will circulate Pennville's ordinances among planning commission members and try to schedule a special meeting of the commission later this month, since the Pennville ordinances have already been approved through three readings by the town council.

Commissioners said this morning that before going forward with plans to build an addition to the courthouse annex property on West Arch Street they would like to discuss the fate of the present Jay School Corporation administrative office building.

Plans call for administrative offices to move to the former Portland armory later this year, leaving the current offices - the former Garfield School - vacant.

"We need to find out what they want to do with it and how much they want for it," said Theurer.

Construction drawings for a 15-foot extension to the current annex building have been completed. The annex, which houses the Jay County Health Department and the Cooperative Extension Service, is the former office of Dr. Ralph Steffy.

In other business, commissioners:

•Approved a resolution to lease the former Burkett and Fitzwater law offices on North Commerce Street for the Community Corrections program. The matter next goes to the Jay County Council for approval at its April 9 meeting, then will be the subject of a public hearing before commissioners sign a lease.

•Agreed to have a pioneer cemetery located on the south bank of the Salamonie River, north of Seventh Street in Portland, surveyed at the request of the Jay County Cemetery Commission. Boundaries of the old cemetery are unclear. The cemetery is owned by the county commissioners.[[In-content Ad]]