Entries from January 1, 2012 – January 31, 2012
January 9, 2012
Harrison Township Zoning Commission
Meeting Minutes
January 9, 2012
The Harrison Twp. Zoning Commission January meeting was called to order by Chair Mark Coon at
8:00 P.M. Present were Barbara Younkin, Mark Coon, Dorothy Green, Kelly Spriggs, Ronde Cook-Brushart, Joe DeFelice, and Carol Balthaser. Also in attendance were Helen Wippel and Jim Burke.
Minutes from the October 10, 2011 meeting were read and approved.
OLD BUSINESS
The Trustees have approved Greenlawn’s zoning request and Joe has issued them a zoning certificate. Greenlawn has begun to prepare their lot for erection of the two story model.
At this time, Jim Burke inquired of the Zoning Commission as to how Pandora Grain was zoned at their Duvall Road location. Mark replied that they are zoned General Business. Mr. Burke said that semi trucks begin arriving and lining up at Pandora Grain at approximately 5:30 A.M. where they sit and idle as work does not begin until 7:00 A.M. He said that dust and dirt in Duvall is so bad that often times you cannot see from one end of Duvall to the other. The residents cannot leave their doors and windows open during nice weather. Even with the doors and windows closed, dirt filters into the homes. Cars are covered with dirt and there are scratches on the cars from the dirt and gravel kicked up from the road by the semi trucks. Mr. Burke presented the Commission with pictures of the dirt and scratches on his car. He asked the Commission whom he could talk with regarding the situation of the residents in Duvall.
Kelly Spriggs replied that he needed to speak with the Trustees about his concerns as the Zoning Commission was only involved with administering and hearing zoning requests. Kelly confirmed to Mr. Burke that the zoning plans agreed to by Pandora did involve erecting a stamped concrete barrier. Also in these plans, the issue of dust and dirt was addressed. Pandora indicated they would be using a sealant on the gravel and blacktopping the front driveway.
Mr. Burke also stated that the Pandora lot was extremely muddy. Barbara Younkin inquired as to whether the drainage was put in as agreed to in the zoning plans. Mr. Burke said that the drainage was put in, but doesn’t seem to be effective as mud covers the road. He also stated that two semi trucks neglected to close their grain doors when leaving Pandora. This oversight added to the problem as grain was then strung through the village. There is little to no off-street parking available to the residents of the village thus forcing residents to park on the street. Even off-street parking offers no relief from the dust and dirt generated by Pandora.
Mark Coon reminded Mr. Burke and Mrs. Wippel that there was a zoning hearing held prior to changes being made on Pandora’s request. Residents within five hundred (500) feet of the facility were notified of the hearing along with a legal notice that appeared in the Circleville Herald. Prior to re-zoning, the granary was used by a private individual and a few other farmers whereas Pandora is leasing and using the facility as a commercial business. At this time, Mark asked Joe DeFelice to address the issue being discussed.
Joe spoke with Gary Luginbill, Pandora Grain Manager, as the work on the concrete barriers has not been completed. Gary told Joe that the current plan is to demolish the house that has been vacated on the property. After demolition of the house, Pandora wishes to erect a privacy fence around the property, thus eliminating the need to erect the concrete barriers. Also, the railroad is considering giving Pandora a separate entrance to the property from Ashville Pike. This is not a definite plan, but is one of the possibilities being considered to alleviate some of the problems. Joe stated that Pandora did put drainage in the lot. Dorothy Green raised the question as to whether all the drainage had been put in. Joe will recheck to make sure that the drainage is as required under the re-zoning request.
Joe stated that Pandora Grain has been working with him on some of the issues. He has also consulted the Pickaway County Prosecuting Attorney’s office for legal counsel and will now take the issues to the Trustees to see how they wish him to proceed. Prior to meeting with the Trustees, he would like for the Zoning Commission to make a recommendation to the Trustees what course he should take.
At this time Kelly moved to recommend to the Trustees to allow Joe to work as a partner to accomplish items of contention with Pandora Grain. The three main items are 1) dust and dirt 2) noise from the trucks 3) smell from the facility. Ronde Cook-Brushart seconded the motion. Mark called for a roll call vote on the motion.
Mark Coon: Yes
Dorothy Green: Abstain as she is a Duvall resident
Kelly Spriggs: Yes
Barbara Younkin: Yes
Ronde Cook-Brushart: Yes
Mark stated that the motion passed with one abstention.
At this time, Mark opened the nominations for Chair of the Zoning Commission for 2012. Kelly nominated Barbara Younkin. Dorothy seconded the motion. Kelly moved the nominations be closed and Mark seconded the motion. At this time, Barbara declined the nomination due to the impending connector road issues that she will have to be dealing with during this year.
Nominations were again opened for Chair, and Dorothy nominated Kelly Spriggs. Barbara Younkin seconded the nomination. Barbara moved that nominations be closed and Mark seconded the motion. Mark asked for a vote on the nomination and all approved. Kelly Spriggs will be the Chair of the Zoning Commission for 2012.
Mark Coon notified the members that this meeting would be his final meeting as he is submitting his resignation to the Trustees. Members expressed their regret at losing Mark as a member.
Dorothy moved to adjourn. Mark seconded the motion. All in favor—motion passed.
Next meeting will be April 9, 2012 at 8:00 P.M.
Carol Balthaser
Secretary