Nearly $28,000 in grant money must be returned
Osgood businessman expresses concerns
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

Ripley County Planning Commission members heard at their July 5 meeting that they will have to send back nearly $28,000 in grant money to Lilly Endowment Inc. Planning Commission Attorney John Ertel referred to a letter written by W.R. (Ace) Yackey Jr. Program Director for Community Development of the Lilly Endowment Inc. The letter stated Lilly's guidelines would not allow a third extension of time and the remaining money needed to be returned.

The original grant to Lilly Endowment Inc. was written in 1999 for $100,000 to prepare a Comprehensive Plan for the county. The project was scheduled to be completed several years ago, but problems with the original consultants, HNTB, delayed the completion.

Consultant Harry Sheridan was hired to complete the project. The remaining cost if $9,700 which will include the printing. The project had also received $25,000 seed money from the County Council and a grant from the Rising Sun Regional Foundation for $50,000, which had already been spent. Now the Planning Commission will have to try and find a way to come up with the $9,700 and finish the project.

Ralph Schneider addressed the Planning Commission with concerns about a letter he had received from the Commission dated June 14, 2005. Schneider had come before the Board of Zoning Appeals in May and received a Special Exception to put a scale on property had had acquired across from his scrap business. He thought all the issues had been resolved at that time, then received the letter.

The main issue seemed to be placing a fence around property Schneider purchased from Ray Meeker. Schneider had placed a fence along two sides of the property. He presented a copy of the deed which stated Meeker reserved the right to use an entrance to a loading dock. Attorney John Ertel said that the code overrides covenants or deeds.

Schneider was told the property must be fenced as per code requirements or the property needs to be re-zoned to I-2 and a special exception obtained through the Board of Zoning Appeals. Schneider was obviously frustrated and stated, "I wish I wasn't operating a business in Ripley County. You're making it too difficult."

Bill Neal appeared representing Kenneth and Felie Colyer's application for primary approval for Grey Lane two-lot Subdivision. The property is located on 4.6500 acres on W. County Road 300 N. in Osgood. His request was approved.

Jenna Smith asked for primary approval of the Cornett Family two-lot Subdivision and a variance for the width to depth ratio. Her property is located on 4.4736 acres on 145 N. County Road 850W. in Holton. Her request was granted.

James and Connie Hoskins requested primary approval for a two-lot agricultural subdivision. The 42.8295 acres is located on E. County Road 900S. in Cross Plains. Although several neighbors spoke out and said they didn't want any more houses built in the area, the Commission approved the request.

Floyd and Linda Riggs' application for primary approval of Riggs Subdivision was tabled until some changes are made to the covenant agreement.

Ten of twelve commission members attended the meeting: Sam Row, Steve Youngman, Robert Gray, Maureen Sheets, Jeff French, Covell Mills, Roger Lang, Owen Menchhofer, James Negangard, and David Osborne. Executive Director Tad Brinson and Attorney James Ertel were present to advise the board.

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