28 August 2023 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes
Present: Dennis Kraus, Jr., Chairman, Russell Beiersdorfer, Jeff Hermesch, Mark Lehman, Joe Vogel, Jake Hoog, Dan Lansing, Jim Thatcher, and Eric Lang
Also Present: Nicole Daily, Planning and Zoning Director, and Andy Baudendistel, Attorney.
Approx 20 citizens were present
Baudendistel read the Title VI statement as legally required.
ACTION ON MINUTES - No minutes approved from July.
OLD BUSINESS: none
NEW BUSINESS: none
ADMINISTRATIVE: Dearborn County proposed zoning map and text changes. Nicole Daily presented the information and reminded them of what was in their packets regarding the maps and text on Residential and Ag zones. She noted that Lawrenceburg Township people were present tonight.
Opened Public Discussion -
Lawrenceburg Township
Terry Sawyers- Carrie Drive- wants to leave her property in Agriculture Zone, and not the proposed residential one. Sewage stops short of their farm. Several lots on the old 30 acre Gensheimer subdivision plat there are in easement for the towers 1,2 4,6 and 2 others, and the barn and other buildings are using up other lots there (16-19). She gave them the USDA letter verifying their farm and crops. The total farm is 90 acres. Lehman and Lang quizzed her regarding the subdivision that is on the books but does not meet any current requirements so it will never be developed. There also seemed to be a concerted effort to state that Sawyers can still farm no matter the zone. [NOTE: So why do anything at all??? People can just do whatever they want. Doesn’t sound like much of a plan to me.]
Chris Mueller- Pribble Road- Presented on our 137 acre family farm and the latest Public Proposal that the staff presented. Noted that the zone change criteria had been answered in our presentation and is in their packets. Also remarked on the reason my neighbors needed to be notified (by me , since the Planning Office wasn’t doing it) that the proposal had changed for them as well as for us. Also asked what the future would be for this in terms of what they do after they decide what we will be zoned. Kraus said they had not done anything to decide about this. I stressed that we would like to have an answer so that we can go on and plan our future for the farm. [Note: This is a frustrating process]
Steve Perrine- Lawrenceburg Township - reiterated his request again also. Does not want his property to be split up ever. Wants to stay Agricultural.
Kraus, Jr. - At some point we have to say what we are going to move forward with. It takes time- government moves slowly.
Caesar Township- no one
Clay Township- no one present- but Lang talked about a property that abuts Industrial and is partly R. Just calling attention to it and noting that they wanted the rest of their property to be zone residential. Kraus said this is a request to up zone without the oversight of a hearing and a zoning request. The PC wants to have negotiating power over the possible development. This site is near Lischkge property. No more comments on Clay township. Lang noted that there was a lot of industrial along the strip and he knows his uncle and another person he knows out there that might be wanting to go to Ag out there. He asked to let him know when she has researched that area so he can see if those people want to come in to voice their opinion.
Washington Township - discussed property that is zoned R now and it was proposed to go to Ag, Sewer maps were provided to show that they should stay R. This is Meinders property and it had a previous proposed subdivision for it several years ago.
Jeff Meinders wanted it to stay Residential. He noted that it might be wiser in the future to build up and not out to preserve more land.
Center Township - included Aurora zone map as there are some properties to look at that adjoin the city.
Brett Fehrman- did not want to go backwards. He is surrounded by Aurora on 3 sides and residential - so wanted it to be zoned Residential. R-1 would be best as it has some flood plain there. He had sought advice from the Planning office and Dennis. It is currently zoned Ag. When it floods he gets into a boat and goes down Park Ave. It goes under water at about 53 ft.
Sparta Township - There was a subdivision there with lots that someone wanted the 2 larger lots to remain Ag.
Hogan Township - Had no paper requests on this. Some people questioned the Ag Homestead and they have not followed up with specifics. There are 3-5 acres off Old 350.There is nothing in the packet but someone spoke a couple times at the meetings.
Kelso Township- will have more info on this for next meeting from Daily.
Greg Hyland- 160 acre farm on Hyland Rd. We were here in June and want to see where we are in the process.Want a timeline for decisions etc. Doesn’t want to be asleep at the switch. Citizens don’t want to have something happen without them. Kraus explained that in October they can finish the townships. Can make a recommendation to commissioners in November. Hyland- The community has spoken- at some point you will have to make a decision. Lehman- We have to adopt the text first. And then the maps. Commissioners have the final decision.
Manchester Township- no special requests from there.
York Township- they did have one from there Lyness- requesting Ag Homestead because of the number of allowed lots allowed in Homestead was greater. Lyness was not present tonight but his submitted items were in the packet. Minor subdivisions have been eliminated from Ag now. Kraus noted that this was not a development- but wanting to be able to divide for family.
Miller Township - some requests along Georgetown Rd due to number of animals allowed. Once the text was changed they were fine with the changes. This was corroborated by emails they sent back per Daily. Lehman asked- Large farm - 160 acres- by Caseys and up against HVL- zoned R2. Is he currently zoned R. His use is different. Do we want to keep that R2 but do we want to keep that R? There is just a panhandle for access. Asked about a PUD- HVL never came in for a PUD- Only PUD we have is Sugar Ridge. If HVL is the only one who can build an R2- shouldn’t they come in to us for a zone change. They have to decide if R-2 or not there.
Jackson Township- nothing new in packet on this either. Primary changes are some are now Ag Homestead.
Harrison Township - nothing new on this township.- had missed a condo development early on bit that was fixed a while back. (By Southpointe.) Kraus asked- about a 50 acre Ag piece that is currently Ag- do we really want that to be R? Thought there was no sewer to them. It’s not flat. Where Jamison drops down. Just pointing that out. Even around the condos is zoned Ag. Something to think about. Lehman asked if it should be Ag Homestead? Kraus said relatives out there - that’s why he knows about it. One driveway is the only access etc. Research a little on that.
Logan Township- Whites Hill Rd had an actual rezone on it. Part of Hidden Acres was not included- and so she fixed it. So they were added to the part of the overall subdivision. Discussed a few other properties and golf course.
PC Board was told by Kraus that Grand Oaks revised their plat to not require any waivers and are bringing it back in for September? meeting. Without waivers, if it meets the ordinance it will have to be approved.
Per Kraus- October meeting is when they will have Kelso Township discussion. With a November vote hopefully. Meeting is the Monday after Thanksgiving.
Greg Whitaker- asked for clarification on how to get minutes- and if they follow Facebook replies etc. Asked for minutes (and I spoke up and added- agendas) to be on the county website. There is an obvious need for people to be able to access materials and results in a timely manner.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
