18 November 2019 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes

18 November 2019 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes

Present: Dennis Kraus, Jr., Chairman, Russell Beiersdorfer, Mark Lehman, Michael Lynch, Jake Hoog, Bill Ullrich, Jim Thatcher, and Eric Lang

ABSENT: John Hawley

Also Present: Mark McCormack, Plan Director, and Andy Baudendistel, Attorney.

Title VI Statement read as required by law.

ACTION ON MINUTES- Minutes from October meeting were approved

OLD BUSINESS: none

NEW BUSINESS: The case below was withdrawn by the Applicant:

Request: Waiver from Article 3, Section 315c of the Subdivision Control Ordinance for the purpose of creating a nonconforming panhandle tract for building purposes. Applicant: Seig Surveying Owners: Timothy & Janette Colgate Site Location: 4392 Mulberry Lane Legal: Sec. 5, T 6N, R 1W, Parcel# 15-06-05-500-005.000-020 Township: Miller Zoning: Agricultural (A) Size: 61.184 Acres

ADMINISTRATIVE:

Proposed changes regarding minimum square footage requirements for residential uses and Manufactured and Mobile Homes; Article 25, Table 25.1 and Section 2564 of the Zoning Ordinance; Article 27 Definitions (Manufactured and Mobile Homes)- this ties in to the minimum sized home they were discussing. McCormack discussed the HUD requirements and the minimum square footage of the nome would have to be 400 sq ft minimum (there is also a 320 sq ft for FHA financed homes)  instead of the old 950 sq ft that was in the ordinance. Bill Shelton, Building Inspector, explained some of the rules for the tiny homes. He said he had seen a small home of 600 sq ft one floor and loft of 200 sq ft. Lang said they run into problems wit the foundations, coated blocks, and tie downs on the mobile homes meeting HUD requirements. Mortgages can be a problem if they don’t meet the government backed mortgage rules. Codes might need to be there to protect people from themselves. Some of the requirements are cheaper to do ahead of placing the home on the site and more expensive after the fact - like 10 times the cost. Shelton said they can suggest to the state to put some of this in code. The one they were discussing was a 1996 standard and this could really help owners at resale time. Shelton proposed getting the code revised and submitted to the state for consideration. Lang will help him. Shelton said that they will implement the idea at the desk as a suggestion right now so that they will be prepared when they resell some day. Shelton was fine with the 400 sq ft minimum. The Planning ordinance will not have the HUD requirements in it as the Building Dept. will take care of this. The Planning Board chose Option 1 as presented for the rewrite of the mobile home square footage requirements. Board approved sending a favorable recommendation to the commissioners for this change. All single family homes shall have  a minimum of 400 sq ft in size not including garage. They also amended Table 25-1 and forwarded a favorable recommendation to Commissioners for the as well. 

Proposed changes regarding setbacks for accessory structures that house animals; Sections 910, 1010, and 1030 of the Zoning Ordinance; Article 27 Definitions (Kennel)- some relatively minor changes were proposed regarding the number of domesticated animals being kept and the distance they need to be from lot lines. Board sent changes to Commissioners with Favorable recommendations. 

Proposed Access Points on Local Roads Section 2416 #2 was proposed to have a change to reflect having a second access if they have at least 150 ft of frontage. This was not on agenda but could be forwarded tonight. Planning Board forwarded changes with a favorable recommendation.  

Discussion regarding the acreage and setback requirements for ponds; Article 25, Section 2554 of the Zoning Ordinance- this will be handled at a later meeting. No meeting in December as there are no cases.  

Updates, related to Planning & Zoning staff activities:

1. Trying to do something for the property owners in Langley Heights.
2. Submitted the 2050 Plan to OKI. Also had a meeting for Trails including cities and towns. May also do some changes to ordinances for trails or alternatives for sidewalks. Need plans to get grants for funding sources for the trails.
3. 2020 Census work and meeting with community reps for the census. Wanting to be sure we get a good count for our funding for transportation etc 50,000 is a cut-off point for some grants. Some of these kick you into higher categories. 
4. North DearbornWater rules are causing some issues. They need to update their by-laws. It is causing variance requests with BZA. Your meter has to be on your property is one rule. This must relate to private lines???? This is proceeding slowly through getting changes done. 
5. Meeting tomorrow night at Commissioners will have an update on the Port site at old AEP and the clean up process from Hoosier Environmental Council, Tim Maloney speaking. Several Plan Commission representatives will be there as well as Nicole Daily.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM 

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg