July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Zoning revision moves on (11/04/05)
Portland Planning Commission
By By RACHELLE HAUGHN-
Revisions in Portland’s zoning ordinance moved a step closer to approval, but not without some significant changes.
Members of the Portland Planning Commission approved several changes to the ordinance Thursday evening — including banning new billboards within the city and restricting where they can be erected in the two-mile area outside of the city limits controlled by the city for zoning purposes.
Other changes include adding massage therapy for both humans and animals to the list of authorized uses in areas zoned for similar businesses.
Commission members began reviewing the zoning ordinance early this year. A public hearing on the revised ordinance is expected to be held at the commission’s next meeting, which has not yet been set.
After the public hearing, the ordinance will go to the Portland City Council for final approval, said Bill Milligan, Jay/Portland Building and Planning administrator.
In the revised ordinance, advertisement boards can only be erected in areas zoned as agricultural. Currently, billboards can be built in highway service areas and industrial areas.
Commission members also decided Thursday to make massage therapy businesses a permitted use under the city zoning ordinance.
Milligan said he has received a few requests to open such businesses.
Commission member Lee Newman suggested massage therapy for animals be added to the ordinance because he thinks the industry is growing. Because there is a track for horses at the Jay County Fairgrounds, someone might want to offer such services for animals, he said.
The commission also decided not to add any restrictions on retention ponds to the ordinance.
When commission members last met on Oct. 6, they discussed possibly requiring retention ponds to be fenced, to protect children.
City attorney Bill Hinkle suggested the city leave the decision of whether or not ponds are fenced up to property owners and their insurance providers. The commission agreed.
The zoning ordinance was last updated in 2002, Milligan said.[[In-content Ad]]
Members of the Portland Planning Commission approved several changes to the ordinance Thursday evening — including banning new billboards within the city and restricting where they can be erected in the two-mile area outside of the city limits controlled by the city for zoning purposes.
Other changes include adding massage therapy for both humans and animals to the list of authorized uses in areas zoned for similar businesses.
Commission members began reviewing the zoning ordinance early this year. A public hearing on the revised ordinance is expected to be held at the commission’s next meeting, which has not yet been set.
After the public hearing, the ordinance will go to the Portland City Council for final approval, said Bill Milligan, Jay/Portland Building and Planning administrator.
In the revised ordinance, advertisement boards can only be erected in areas zoned as agricultural. Currently, billboards can be built in highway service areas and industrial areas.
Commission members also decided Thursday to make massage therapy businesses a permitted use under the city zoning ordinance.
Milligan said he has received a few requests to open such businesses.
Commission member Lee Newman suggested massage therapy for animals be added to the ordinance because he thinks the industry is growing. Because there is a track for horses at the Jay County Fairgrounds, someone might want to offer such services for animals, he said.
The commission also decided not to add any restrictions on retention ponds to the ordinance.
When commission members last met on Oct. 6, they discussed possibly requiring retention ponds to be fenced, to protect children.
City attorney Bill Hinkle suggested the city leave the decision of whether or not ponds are fenced up to property owners and their insurance providers. The commission agreed.
The zoning ordinance was last updated in 2002, Milligan said.[[In-content Ad]]
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