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By Becky Killian, Staff Writer
Officials will continue to seek the implementation of comprehensive zoning regulations concerning new subdivisions while putting the rest of the proposed laws on hold.
Commissioner Phillip Marshall said the delay was necessary because the other sections of the comprehensive zoning ordinance document need more work.
The announcement was made during the Tuesday, Feb. 18, meeting of the Washington County Board of Commissioners.
During the meeting, commissioners heard comments from Lucy Brenton, who spoke in Rhonda Greene’s stead. Brenton’s comments echoed those made by Greene during the Feb. 4 commissioners’ meeting: the county’s proposed planning and zoning laws would infringe on residents’ freedom of choice; the document is poorly written; and the Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals should be dissolved.
“It is up to you to protect citizens from intrusive government,” Brenton said.
When Greene asked commissioners to dissolve the two boards earlier this month, only two commissioners were present: Marshall was absent due to illness. At that meeting, Commissioner Tony Cardwell Jr. made a motion to dissolve the boards, which Commissioner Todd Ewen refused to second, so it didn’t go to a vote. At Tuesday’s meeting – which had all three commissioners present – Brenton asked Cardwell if he would make the same motion again. Cardwell declined to do so, saying further investigation is needed.
Brenton said county officials want the zoning regulations because it would allow insiders to buy land slated for industrial development at a low price and then sell it for far more.
“We know there’s money behind it,” Brenton said. “We know you want some kind of control.”
Ewen said Brenton and her fellow opponents are spreading misinformation about officials’ intentions.
“You live in kind of a conspiracy world,” Ewen said.
April Geltmaker, an attorney with CLLB Law who represents the commissioners, reported that she had reviewed information provided by Greene at the Feb. 4 meeting about zoning regulations throughout the state’s other counties. Geltmaker reported that she found incorrect information in Greene’s report, including a list of counties that Greene said have no zoning regulations. Included among the counties was Fountain County, which has a Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals – the meeting dates for which are included on the Fountain County government website. Several other counties Greene listed have some form of multiple-county plan commissions. Geltmaker also disputed other allegations in Greene’s document.
Commissioners emphasized that no zoning regulations can be passed before public notices are published and public hearings are held during which residents can express any concerns.