Planning Commission votes 6-4 against Doll's request for re-zone to expand business
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

Gregory Doll of Morris won't know if his request for a re-zone of his property in Morris will be approved until it comes before the Ripley County Commissioners. Doll had previously applied for a re-zone of his property of 9.4 acres to Local Business, but withdrew his application. This time he requested the re-zone for General Business.

Doll was represented at the Ripley County Area Planning Commission meeting on October 5, by his attorney Jack Kellerman. Kellerman stated Doll was requesting the re-zone to expand his nursery business and to put up a mini-warehouse. When the Planning Commission voted, the vote was 6 to 4 against the application. Since seven people on the board have to agree, the matter goes to the Ripley County Commissioners with no recommendation.

The Planning Commission members were in total agreement on the application by Rebecca D. Stein. She was requesting a re-zone from the Residential-2 Zone to the Local Business Zone for lots #51 and #54 in the original Town of Napoleon. Her property is located on the southwest corner of the town square. Stein plans on putting a day care on the property. It will now go to the Town of Napoleon for their approval.

Board of Zoning Appeals member Sue French, updated the Planning Commission on the latest meeting with consultant Harry Sheridan regarding ordinance revisions.

Ten of twelve committee members attended the meeting: Sam Row, Steve Youngman, Robert Gray, Henry Nickell, Jeff French, Sam Melton, Covell Mills, Owen Menchhofer, Kaye Hunger, and David Osborne. Executive Director Tad Brinson and Attorney John Ertel were present to advise the board.

The next meeting of the Ripley County Planning Commission will be held on November 2, at 7:00 p.m. at the Commissioners Room at the Courthouse Annex in Versailles.