THREE MORE MASTER PLAN WORKSHOPS FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS TO COMMENT ON CHANGES TO THE AG AND RESIDENTIAL ZONING MAP

THREE MORE MASTER PLAN WORKSHOPS FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS TO COMMENT ON CHANGES TO THE AG AND RESIDENTIAL ZONING MAP

 *PLEASE NOTE: As a reminder, we have 3 (separate) upcoming workshops with the community—on September 30^th, October 13^th, and October 23^rd (details below)—to review the DRAFT changes to the Dearborn County Zoning Map and the Zoning Ordinance.

 

The first public workshop on Wednesday, September 30, 2021, will be held from 6pm-8pm at the

North Dearborn Library, located at 25969 Dole Rd, West Harrison, IN 47060.

 

The second public workshop on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, will be held from 4:30pm-6:30pm

at the Dillsboro Town Hall, located at 13030 Executive Dr, Dillsboro, IN 47018.

 

The third public workshop on Saturday, October 23, 2021, will be held from 10am-12pm at the

Lawrenceburg Library (Ewbank Room), located at 150 Mary Street; Lawrenceburg, IN 47025.

 

Please let me know if you have any follow-up questions, comments, or other information needs at your convenience.

 

Thank you for your time and attention.

 

Respectfully,

 

Mark McCormack

Director of Planning & Zoning, Dearborn County

165 Mary St., Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

Ph: 812-537-8821      I     Fax: 812-532-2029

Email: mmccormack@dearborncounty.in.gov

Website: www.dearborncounty.org/planning

FOR: IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 19, 2021

CONTACT:

Mark McCormack

Director of Planning & Zoning (812) 537-8821

mmccormack@dearborncounty.in.gov

 

 The Dearborn County Plan Commission would like to welcome all members of the community to 3 upcoming public workshops (see details below), to discuss DRAFT updates to the Dearborn County Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Map—specifically with respect to the Agricultural and Residential Zoning Districts. Both the existing and proposed zoning ordinance text and map will be prominently posted on the Department of Planning & Zoning’s home page for at least the next 45 days: www.dearborncounty.org/planning

*An online survey is also available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DearbornZoning2 Please note: Regardless of changes that may occur to the Zoning Ordinance or the Zoning Map, the changes made will not affect the taxes that property owners owe or pay—as taxes are based on each landowner’s current use of property in association with the State of Indiana’s taxing system, which does not take zoning into account.

The first public workshop on Wednesday, September 30, 2021, will be held from 6pm-8pm at the North Dearborn Library, located at 25969 Dole Rd, West Harrison, IN 47060.

The second public workshop on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, will be held from 4:30pm-6:30pm at the Dillsboro Town Hall, located at 13030 Executive Dr, Dillsboro, IN 47018.

The third public workshop on Saturday, October 23, 2021, will be held from 10am-12pm at the Lawrenceburg Library (Ewbank Room), located at 150 Mary Street; Lawrenceburg, IN 47025.

All citizens and business owners in Dearborn County are invited to attend one or both of these sessions, and are also encouraged to submit written comments by mail to: Dept. of Planning & Zoning, 165 Mary St., Lawrenceburg, IN 47025, or by email to planningpublic@dearborncounty.in.gov, or complete the aforementioned online survey.

Background

Both recent (2019) and previous (2004) housing studies in Dearborn County have identified a demand for more housing options. Since the original zoning ordinance and map were created in 1965, there has always been one Agricultural Zoning District and one Residential Zoning District. As the county ordinances have not been changed to account for certain types of residential uses and structures, these types of development have been limited—in terms of the types of housing that can be built without variances, conditional uses, and / or rezones, and also the options available in the (unincorporated areas of the) county for lots for residential uses and related uses, improvements, and amenities.

Last year, on October 21, 2020, the Dearborn County Plan Commission and staff, along with a consultant team, held 2 public workshops to review and discuss draft changes to the text of the Dearborn County Zoning Ordinance—specifically with respect to Agricultural and Residential Zoning Districts, including: adding new zoning districts, potential changes to permitted and conditional uses within each zoning district, new or expanded or amended definitions of uses and limitations related thereto, and changes to dimensional standards such as setbacks, minimum lot sizes, lot widths, etc. At these 2 previous public workshops and for several weeks before and afterwards, the Dearborn County Plan Commission and staff also conducted an online survey to get the community’s feedback on the draft texts. After seven (7) months of careful consideration and analysis of all of the feedback received from both the workshops and survey, the Zoning Technical Advisory Group, County staff, as well as the Plan Commission and the consultant team made several changes to the draft texts to reflect and address the community’s expressed preferences and concerns—and to address additional internal questions and issues that surfaced.

As these draft texts to change the Zoning Ordinance were being refined and updated further, work was initiated by the Plan Commission, staff, and consultant team to create draft zoning maps to convert the existing zoning map and its 1 Agricultural and 1 Residential Zoning District into the 2 Agricultural and 3 Residential Zoning Districts that are currently being proposed (in the updated, draft Zoning Ordinance text). The Plan Commission staff and consultant team produced a series of maps that took into consideration: the current zoning map, the existing land uses identified for all properties in Dearborn County for the Comprehensive Plan Update (which is also in the process of being updated), the soils and topography of the County, the location of floodplain and flood- prone areas, the availability of water and sewer services in the County (now and in near-term projections), environmental constraints, future land use mapping from the current Dearborn County Comprehensive Plan, board and staff member first-hand knowledge regarding certain properties, and consideration to prior zoning and land use maps created from the 1960’s to the present. For the past 4-5 months, the “working” draft maps have been changed several times and the number of map alternatives have been narrowed down to 2 maps—both of which are aimed to be “conversion” maps, focused on changing the previous (2) Agricultural and Residential zoned areas to the new (5, total) classifications—and not affecting any changes involving other zoning districts (for commercial / business or industrial uses).

Purpose

The purpose of the 2 workshops on July 20, 2021, and these additional 3 workshops, is to identify if there are any questions, issues, concerns and / or recommendations regarding the updated, draft zoning ordinance text and the community’s input regarding the 2 draft alternative zoning maps— specifically with respect to the new Agricultural and Residential Zoning Districts. As noted last year, the ultimate aim of these efforts is intended to be an updated zoning ordinance and map that accurately reflects the value of agricultural lands and uses of the county, the housing needs and character of the community, and to allow for more up-to-date tools in the land use and development toolbox.

**Please contact Mark McCormack, Director of Planning & Zoning by calling 812-537-8821 to set up an in-person interview or meeting, request additional information, etc. You can also reach Mark via his email address: mmccormack@dearborncounty.in.gov 

20 SEPTEMBER 2021 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

 20 SEPTEMBER 2021 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

Present: Jim Thatcher, President, Art Little, and Rick Probst

Also present: Connie Fromhold, Auditor, Andy Baudendistel, Attorney, and Sue Hayden, Administrator

TITLE VI STATEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE was read by Baudendistel as legally required.

OLD BUSINESS- none

NEW BUSINESS

Updates from Soil and Water- Jessica Rayburn- SWCD District Coordinator and Matt Jarvis, NRCS District Conservationist- The Pollinator Field day- nearly 100 attendees. Backyard Series was wrapped up at the Library- hope to have more able to attend in person after Covid.o Matt Jarvis NRCS- appreciate the county funding for Soil and Water. For every dollar in we return $13 for the county residents. The secure money and they are able to bring in experts to help service producers and landowners. They continued programs and did not have to shut that down. He passed out the funds spent thru that office. 

County contributes $163,000. NRCS provides the space. District returns about 24% to them. Use Federal requirements for COVID and so they are at 50% right now in the office. There is someone in the office morning and afternoon. Can meet them outside or on emir farm, but not inside right now. If the staff is out then they may not have someone there on parts of some days. Matt covers 3 counties. They are trying to keep it all moving forward.

Right of Way Dedication on DeWitt Rd- Dennis Kraus, Jr., Surveyor for JDJ Surveyor and Engineering. There is a makeshift turnaround down there. If people would donate then they are allowed to do other things with the property. The cul de sac will be at the Wright’s expense and they are doing it in gravel the same as the road. Approved.  

Board of Commissioners Appointment to SEI READI- Mike Perleberg, Executive Director One Dearborn- Perleberg its a $500 million opportunity for the region. It was put in the state budget by statute there has to be a regional organization to qualify for this. SEI READI , Inc is a 501c3 that they have set up. The deadline is at the end of this money to have a regional plan turned in. The board of directors HAS to be driven by the private sector. There needs to be an appointee from from each board of commissioners which is a Class A member. They are on the board then. The class A members then appoint a Class B member which is a private sector representatives or local government member. Appointing the members is at an annual meeting. The director is a 2 year term. Commissioners appointed Art Little as a Class A member to the SEI READI, Inc.   

ADMINISTRATOR – Sue Hayden- Nicole Daily said Sunman Dearborn has withdrawn from the grant from OCRA and are doing the demolition with their own funds. Commissioners need to sign off on this withdrawal. Approved.

AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold  -Claims/Payroll and  the September 7th Minutes approved.

ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel - easement agreement for small structure on Huesman Road. Mr/Mrs Stroble didn’t want to sell but agreed to the permanent easement at no cost. It also requires the relocation of utilities. Listerman and he have been working to get this since January. This allows the work on the bridge to proceed now. Approved and signed. 

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS- Probst- Invited everyone to the Aurora Farmers Fair. Doing what they can to safeguard everyone who attends. Encourage people to vaccinate and protect themselves. Vaccination makes the potential infection much less serious. 

Little- Great to see the Farmers Fair back this year.

Thatcher -Encourages vaccination and Health Dept  is preparing for boosters etc as we learn about the final approval on them. 

LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION- none

PUBLIC COMMENT- none

ADJOURN- 5:35 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township

AGENDA September 20th MONDAY EVENING Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting

 AGENDA

DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING

Monday, September 20, 2021 

5:00 p.m., Henry Dearborn Room

County Administration Building

165 Mary Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. TITLE VI STATEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE

IV. OLD BUSINESS 

V. NEW BUSINESS

1. Updates from Soil & Water – Jessica Rayburn, SWCD District Coordinator

& Matt Jarvis, NRCS District Conservationist

2.  Right-of-Way Dedication on DeWitt Road - Dennis Kraus, Jr., Surveyor

3.  BOC Appointment to SEI READI – Mike Perleberg, Executive Director, One Dearborn

 

VI. ADMINISTRATOR – Sue Hayden

VII. AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold

1.  Claims/Payroll/Minutes

VIII. ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel

IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

X. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

XI. PUBLIC COMMENT

XII. ADJOURN

DEARBORN COUNTY HEALTH DEPT ISSUES RED STATUS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TODAY

 **********PRESS RELEASE**********

Dearborn County Health Officer

Dr. Stephen Eliason

September 9, 2021

On Wednesday, September 8^th, Dearborn County was elevated to the Red Level on the metric system being utilized by the Indiana State Department of Health.  This indicates that Dearborn County has a 7-day moving average of the positivity rate for all tests administered of Fifteen Percent (15%) or greater AND total weekly cases per 100,000 residents of 200 or more new cases.

Based on this, I am strongly recommending the following:

• All indoor activities, other than school events, should require six feet (6’) of social distancing.  If six feet (6’) of social distancing is not possible, then all individuals should be required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.
• It continues to be my recommendation that the school corporations require masks for all students and staff when social distancing of at least three feet (3’), but preferably six feet (6’), is not possible.
• Anyone that is feeling sick should remain at home and all citizens should continue to exhibit proper sanitization techniques and should avoid crowds when possible.
• Finally, the most effective way to combat COVID-19 is to get fully vaccinated against the disease.  Vaccines are readily available in Dearborn County and everyone aged twelve (12) years of age and older is eligible to be vaccinated.  To find the vaccination location that is closest to you, please go to:  vaccines.gov/search/

While these are only recommendations at this time, should numbers continue to increase, the Dearborn County Health Department will explore all options available in order to combat COVID-19 in an effort to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Dearborn County, Indiana.

9 September 2021 Dearborn County Redevelopment Meeting Notes

 9 September 2021 Dearborn County Redevelopment Meeting Notes

Present: Diane Bender, Chairman, Dave Deddens (via phone), Jim Deaton, Alan Goodman, and 

ABSENT: Jim Helms and Jamie Graf (non- voting school board member)

Also present:Sue Hayden, county administrator and minute taker, Andrea Ewan, attorney, Connie Fromhold, Auditor and DCRC treasurer.

Title VI statement read as legally required by Bender.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES- July 8th Minutes approved

CLAIMS AND FINANCIALS- $630 for Lonnie Steele DR 52 - 7 hours, $145 Barnes and Thornburg Law Firm for review of incentives, $630 to Drake Lawn and Mowing 9 times, and $3757.50 to Ewan Law for legal services Jan-June 2021- Total- $5162.50  All approved.

Financial passed out. Dyke paid into General Fund.

 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: none 

NEW BUSINESS:

Property on Guilford- Houses were torn down- not finished per a resident. Weeds are 5-6 ft tall and brick in there. Nicole Daily talked to contractor. Still no clean up. Same Contractor did Dyke property. Goodman offered to call the contractor- he’s a local guy. Goodman to report back after that. 

Skally’s Bakery TIF Allocation Area Dissolution- Mike Perleberg- With the layout of the Dyke property - it has portions in Skally and portions in West Harrison. They need to get it all in one area.So they need to dissolve Skally’s TIF- DCRC approved the resolution dissolving the Skally’s. 

West Harrison TIF Amendment- The second resolution is to add the Skally’s to the West Harrison TIF- DCRC approved that also. That starts a 25 year time period for that expansion area. 

ONE DEARBORN REPORT: Mike Perleberg- Dyke Industries excavation going strong. Vertical construction starts soon. On target for Spring 2022 completion. 

Jeff Banning Engineering- For  a study for Hoosier Energy and REMC will help inform well to make investment in future.

IEDC extended deadline for regional development plan along with our consultant. Aug 30 was due date. Received 66 projects- getting scored now and prioritized. There are a handful that can benefit our TIF’s. We should get something of value out of this SE Indiana READI initiative.  Prepare for success, they tell us.

A video marketing project is underway to market sites in our region along the I-74 area and some areas along our corridor. 

Clusters of sites along SR 1 around St.Leon and US 50 in Dillsboro area have been identified for TIF areas. This is a desk top review at this point. This is just information so far- no action so far. 

ATTORNEY’S REPORT- none

OTHER BUSINESS- none

ADJOURNMENT - 9:30 AM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township

7 SEPTEMBER 2021 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

 7 SEPTEMBER 2021 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

Present: Jim Thatcher, President, Art Little, and Rick Probst

Also present: Connie Fromhold, Auditor, Andy Baudendistel, Attorney, and Sue Hayden, Administrator

TITLE VI STATEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE was read by Baudendistel as legally required.

OLD BUSINESS- none

NEW BUSINESS

Mark McCormack- Planning and Zoning- Ordinance Adding Article 19- Solar Energy Systems to Zoning Code- McCormack presented the Solar Energy Systems Ordinance which comes with the unanimous favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission. Thatcher said with the amount of solar coming in to the area they need something on the books so he had asked for this to be done. The commissioners had this forwarded after the July PC meeting. It is compatible with Smart Energy. After Baudendistel reminded them the Public hearing was opened  and closed with no public speaking. Commissioners approved with little discussion. 

Resolution approving NFA Revenue Bonds- Baudendistel  presented and said we are not liable for the St. Elizabeth Hospital bonds or issuing the bonds. They are merely approving the project use for the building of the Cancer Center in Dearborn County. 

Elizabeth Younger- from Bond Counsel  for St. E’s. said that the National Finance Authority is being used because the bonds are going t be used in two states. Bonds not to exceed $100 million. The resolution was approved by the commissioners.   

Todd Listerman, Highway Engineer- Bridge 213 Bischoff Hill Road Slide and Erosion Control Agreement with FTBH out of North Vernon. This is to destabilize the bank and protect the bridge and bank. The adjoining property owners were present. They will do a keyway and rip-rap. Plans will be ready to go by end Nov and early Dec. They want to complete in the winter before spring rains. Council has approved funds. Commissioners approved the design work for Bischoff Hill Rd Bridge 213. 

ADMINISTRATOR – Sue Hayden- reminder that next meeting is MONDAY Sept 20 as they are attending an AIC- Association of Indiana Counties-  meeting.

AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold  -Claims/Payroll and August 17th Minutes approved.

ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel- Proclamation prepared for Corp Kelsee Lainhart who was seriously injured by a suicide bombing in Afghanistan recently. They honor and thank her for her service to our country. They will send a copy to the Ms Lainhart as well- wishing her a speedy recovery from her injuries. 

If you would like to send a personal card here is the address:

Kelsee Lainhart

Walter Reed Medical Center

8901 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20889

Attachments area

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS  Probst- continuing reminder that COVID is here- orange bordering on red status here. We need to be vaccinated. He noted that vaccines prevent severe Covid requiring hospitalization. 

Little- watching the football on TV with stands full of people- no masks- we are going to see spikes after this. 

Thatcher- really appreciated Sue Hayden and Andy Baudendistel putting together the proclamation and thoughts and prayers are with Kelcey and others injured and killed in Afghanistan.  

LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION- none

PUBLIC COMMENT- Mrs Huff  and Mr Huff ( Sp ?) REMC called and denied a claim on the tree that was cut down. They said it was Dearborn County’s responsibility and that proper protocol was not followed. You notify the homeowner first and discuss it with them. The whole thing could have gone differently. They could have been trimmed.

 

Thatcher’s response- REMC is always going to say no. REMC hired the contractor to cut down the trees. Todd Listerman had alerted REMC that there was potential problem with the trees. They wanted to be a good neighbor regarding the bridge work out there and now they are missing two 70-ft white pines. They left the meeting saying they were done with helping the county.

Mr and Mrs Heid- from Pinhook Rd. - problem with Board of Health. It started as a complaint about cleaning up their property due to burn barrels and trash etc. Tried to get the property cleaned up in 30 days. They asked for more time. They got it done with the extension. 

Then the Board of Health  started to look at their septic tank. The system is apparently in flood plain and a certified plumber that looked at it. They still didn’t get the results of his input. They had checked flood stage when they bought the house in the 90s. The Health Dept condemned his house Friday. 

Andy Baudendistel- Lok=oked thru the court case files. Certified mail sent out May 24 and shows no response from them. Even though Heids said they responded. ( They had responded to the Health Dept attorney and not the court) He told the they need to get an attorney. They can also go to Cleary’s court and see why their response was not inputted.That’s why the Health Dept. got a default judgement. 

Heid said they had they had a lot of meetings with Health Dept and Doug Baer. They sent their response in registered mail to the Health Dept attorney. They also noted that all the people on Pinhook are below them and so they are all in the same boat. Even more in the flood plain than their home. They even had map from the governor’s office showing the flood plain. There are some really nice houses two doors down from them. This will be a big mess- a class action suit. Baudendistel’s suggestion, they will seek a property law attorney, check with Cleary’s court on their letter that wasn’t received, and  also said they will file complaints on the rest of the properties on their street. 

ADJOURN- 10 AM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township