Planning commission hears update on status of lawsuits

Cathy May, Contributing Writer

Ripley County Area Planning Commission Attorney John Ertel updated the commission at its September meeting on the status of lawsuits against zoning code violators. He explained he was amending the complaint against Dennis Richardson to include property he owns in Pierceville.
Ertel said the trial for Alvin and Hazel Svatba is now set and pre-trial arranged for Raymond Inferrera, Henrietta Haugh and Burdette Builders.

Also, a letter of understanding will be sent to Doug Prickell, who withdrew his application for a rezone prior to the Planning Commission meeting. The letter will explain what Prickell is allowed and not allowed to do in the Agriculture-2 zone, where his current business is located.

The only application that had any opposition at the meeting was Creative Foundations, LLC for primary approval of Heuer Hills Agricultural Subdivision. Leanne Lengerich presented plan of creating four lots on 24.360 acres on W. County Road 700S in Versailles. Don Prost who originally sold the property said he only sold 330' of road frontage so how could it now have 407'? The survey that was presented to the commission had 407'. When it was found there was an error in the legal description, the item was tabled 12-0 until the next meeting so these issues could be resolved.
J&P Rollins, LLC applied for a re-zone on property he owns at 813 N. Main Street in Milan. Jerry Rollins explained he owns the Dollar Store next to the property and it gives him another lot for speculation 100' x 300' in the Local Business District. The commission voted 12-0 to send the request to the Milan Town Board with a favorable recommendation.

Michael Hall, land surveyor, spoke for Geraldine Driggers on primary approval of Driggers Estates two-lot agricultural subdivision. The two lots are located on 20.501 acres on E. County Road 300S in Dillsboro. Lot #2 also required a variance from 3 acres to 2.448 acres. Primary approval with the variance was approved 12-0.

Jeff Stenger of J&J Surveyors, spoke on behalf of Raymond and Beverly Fuchs. They were asking for Primary Approval of Amanda’s Acres Subdivision. This is two-lots on 2.108 acres at 5104 East State Road 46 in Batesville. It also required a variance from the front set back line for the existing house. The commission voted 12-0 for Primary Approval and awarding the variance.

Sue French of French and Associates spoke on the application of Chris Volz Jr. for Primary Approval of East Milan Estates Subdivision. It contains six lots on 3.22 acres which averages .5380 per lot. The property is located on East Carr Street in Milan. The request was granted 11-0-1 with Jeff French abstaining.

Sue French also represented Covell Mills in his application for two agricultural subdivisions, Northbrook and Southbrook Agricultural Subdivision. Northbrook is five-lots on 18.3995 acres at 7196 North County Road 600E in Milan. Southbrook is three lots on 6.7608 acres at the northeast corner of the intersection of County Roads 600E and 700N near Sunman. Northbrook Subdivision required two variances: Lot #1 for lot width from 300'’to 249'’and Lot #3 required a variance for acreage from 3 acres to 2.5 acres. All requests were granted by a vote of 10-0-2 with Jeff French and Covell Mills abstaining.

All 12 members of the Ripley County Area Planning Commission were present: Maureen Sheets, Covell Mills, Bob Gray, James Negangard, Ron Palmer, Kaye Hunger, Roger Lang, Ed Newman, Steve Youngman, Jeff French, Owen Menchhofer, and Dave Osborne. Tad Brinson and Attorney John Ertel were present to advise the board. All three county commissioners were present: Robert Reiners, Chuck Folz, and Lawrence Nickell. The next regular meeting of the Ripley County Area Plan Commission is October 2 at 7:00 p.m. at the Commissioner’s Room of the Ripley County Courthouse Annex in Versailles.