BZA welcomes new members at first mtg.
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

The Ripley County Board of Zoning Appeals held its first meeting of the year welcoming two new members. Maureen Sheets is the Ripley County Commissioners' appointment on the Ripley County Planning Committee. David Nuhring is the Commissioners' appointment who is not on the Planning Committee. Nuhring has previously served on the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Election results were: David Nuhring was elected president; Roger Lang, vice-president; and Planning Director Tad Brinson was appointed as secretary.

There were two agenda items.

Ed Fraley applied for a special exception to permit an auction park and show area, sales of cars, ATVs, machinery parts, and service with accessibility to outside vendors, sales of general merchandise and growth area on property he owns in Elrod. It is presently zoned Roadside Business. The Board asked him to prepare both a Business Plan and a Site Plan to bring to them next month and tabled the application.

Diana Lunsford applied for a ariance from the required sideline setback of 20' to 5' to permit construction of a private frame garage. The Lunsford property is located at 8057 E. County Road 1200 N in Sunman. The Board approved her request.

All five members of the board were present: David Nuhring, Maureen Sheets, Michael Baker, representing the largest municipality - Milan; Roger Lang, Planning Commission appointment; and Denessa Benkie, second largest municipality - Versailles. Attorney John Ertel and Planning Director Tad Brinson were present to advise the Board. The next regular meeting of the Ripley County Board of Appeals will be on February 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Room of the Ripley County Courthouse Annex.

CATHY MAY PHOTO

Planning Director Tad Brinson confers with members of the Ripley County Board of Appeals prior to their January meeting. Members of the board are: Maureen Sheets, Denessa Benkie, David Nuhring, Roger Lang and Michael Baker.