May 15, 2017
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Council, mayor spar over study
Police dispatch discussion was a point of contention again
Portland City Council and Mayor Jeff Westlake were at odds again Tuesday about a study on merging city police dispatch with Jay County Sheriff’s Office.
Variance approved
Board agrees to allow car sales business
A sometimes contentious, sometimes confused meeting resulted in approval for a rural Portland couple to operate a car sales business from their residence. Portland Board of Zoning Appeals approved a use variance request Tuesday for Randy and Karla Hopkins to operate the business out of their property at 863 S. 100 East. The board had jurisdiction over the decision because the property falls within the city’s 2-mile buffer for zoning. Randy Hopkins explained that he has operated the business from 809 N. Franklin St., Portland, where he also had rentals. He no longer has the rentals there and would like to sell that property and instead run the business from his home. Susan and Morton Pugh, who own land at the southwest corner of county road 100 East and Indiana 26 near the Hopkins property but do not live there, attended the meeting in opposition to the variance request. Susan Pugh argued that Hopkins did not face an undue hardship to justify the variance. She also said it could increase traffic and noise, hurt property values, set a bad precedent and goes against the goals of the zoning ordinance. Tim Bray, who lives in the area, spoke in support of granting the variance, saying the property has always been well-kept. Through the course of discussion, the Hopkins clarified that they do not plan to sell vehicles at the property. Instead, it will be used for detailing and repair work, with the vehicles then moved to a separate lot owned by Randy Hopkins’ cousin on Meridian Street in Portland to be sold. They would also handle office work for the business from their home. “It’s not going to look any different than it does right now,” said Karla Hopkins. Discussion revolved around how many vehicles would be kept at the property, whether the board should limit that number as part of the variance and if vehicles would be sold there. At one point, Susan Pugh said she was OK with the variance before pulling back on that statement because of concerns about vehicles at the property. Later, Hopkins said he would withdraw the request for the variance but ultimately did not. The board went through a motion to approve the variance and multiple efforts to amend that motion before rescinding everything and starting over. It ultimately voted to approve the variance with the stipulation that vehicles not be sold from the residence. Larry Petro, Aaron Loy, Kyle Cook and Emily Goodrich voted in favor. Ron Laux was absent from the meeting. Jay/Portland Building and Planning director John Hemmelgarn also made clear that the variance applies only to the Hopkins couple. The property would revert to regular zoning rules if it is sold or otherwise passed on to another owner. Following the approval, Susan Pugh asked about the limit for vehicles on the property. Goodrich responded that there was no limit, after which the Pughs walked out of the meeting. In other business, the board: •Re-elected Petro as chair, Loy as vice-chair and Cook as secretary. •Appointed Jay/Portland Building and Planning assistant director Patti McLaughlin as recording secretary. •Learned that Goodrich has been appointed to fill the final year of Virginia Burkey’s term on the board following her resignation.
Consolidation discussion
Council votes to explore moving to centralized dispatch
Portland City Council voted unanimously to move forward with a process to explore consolidating the dispatching of emergency responders.
Bizy Dips plans expansion
Council sends loan request back to advisory committee to create development agreement
Council sends loan request back to advisory committee to create development agreement
Agreement approved
Harmony Cafe will get loan to add new equipment
Portland City Council approved an economic development agreement Monday with Harmony Cafe and Studio.
Plans for The Venue fall through
Main Street building was targeted for performance facility
Portland Redevelopment Commission learned Friday that Dave Smuts, one of the music promoters involved in the project, indicated that his group will not pursue development of The Venue at 105 W. Main St. and that they are open to selling the building.
Who has camera access?
Phillips requests access to recording devices at city hall
Already the subject of a lawsuit and an active tort claim, cameras came up during the closing minutes of Thursday’s Portland Board of Works meeting.
Heated again
Council, mayor, clerk-treasurer at odds over budget, tort claim
Council members, the clerk-treasurer and the mayor were at odds again Monday night, with the 2026 budget as the first subject of contention. The second was another new tort claim, this one filed by Portland Police Chief Dustin Mock and investigator Jeff Hopkins against six defendants.
Motion to dismiss filed in suit
Portland police, chief and investigator seek dismissal on grounds that they are not suable
Attorney Katlyn M. Christman filed a motion Friday to dismiss Portland clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips’ lawsuit against the police department, Portland Police Chief Dustin Mock and investigator Jeff Hopkins, arguing that they cannot be sued.
Council discusses blight, procedure
May pushes for new fund, questions removal of items from agenda
Portland City Council discussed blighted properties and department head attendance during their meeting Monday, with some council members also questioning agenda policies.
Council agrees to review ordinance
Ohio Valley Gas representative voiced concerns
Portland City Council agreed to work with Ohio Valley Gas on potentially modifying the ordinance after hearing from a representative of the company at its meeting Monday.
New vet clinic planned
Abatement requested for building renovations
Portland City Council referred a tax abatement request from NAC Holdings for $250,000 in renovations to 1609 N. Meridian St. to the city’s tax abatement advisory committee. Plans are to utilize the building for the new Nose-to-Tail Animal Clinic.
Battery storage pause advances
City plan commission recommends moratorium
Portland Plan Commission members voted unanimously to recommend to Portland City Council that it place a one-year moratorium.
Considering moratorium
Plan commission agrees to hold public hearing regarding battery storage
Portland Plan Commission agreed Thursday to set a public hearing to consider a moratorium on battery storage facilities.
Annual report to state approved
Details will be presented to council on April 7
Portland Redevelopment Commission approved its annual report during a special meeting Friday.
Sewer waiver ordinance clears 1st reading
Measure would allow bills to be stopped for up to 6 months
Portland City Council approved an ordinance on first reading Monday to waive sewer fees for users whose property cannot be used following first, floods, wind or other “act of God.”
Meeting contentious again
Council members, mayor at odds over handling of employees
Another city council meeting turned contentious during a discussion about the handling of personnel issues.
Facade funds OK’d for business
Reclaiming Design will get new second-floor windows
A downtown Portland business will get some help with new windows. During back-to-back meetings Thursday morning, Portland Historic Preservation Commission and Portland Facade Committee approved a certificate of appropriateness for new windows on the north side of Reclaiming Design and agreed to cover half of the cost of cutting the openings.
New leases are approved
Agreements updated for resource center tenants
Updated lease agreements have been approved for the organizations that rent space from the city at Community Resource Center. Portland Board of Works approved the agreements during its meeting Wednesday.
Potential updates discussed
Plan commission members indicate trust for in-house process
Portland Plan Commission seems more inclined to update local zoning ordinances in-house rather than hiring a consultant.
Process paused
Board will give commission time to work on plan for building
Local officials made clear that something needs to be done about the former Hunt’s building. But demolition is not imminent, yet.
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