County plan commission OK's first rezoning request in former buffer zone
Morgan County moved another step forward Monday night in abolishing the county's buffer zones.
County plan commission members voted Monday to send a revised zoning ordinance for property in the zones to the county commissioners with a favorable recommendation.
The commissioners are expected to vote on the matter at their next meeting, which will be Tuesday night due to Monday being a holiday.
"Buffer zones" are areas around incorporated municipalities in which the city or town has control over development. They historically have been considered areas that will become part of the municipality sometime in the future.
Normally the zones extended up to two miles from the municipality's incorporated boundary.
Previously:Zoning in Morgan County could soon see changes. Here's what you need to know.
Morgan County's zones were created in the late 1990s after the commissioners abolished all planning and zoning in the county.
During that time, several municipalities also abolished their planning and zoning boards, allowing the county to control development in adjacent areas.
The four areas that retained their buffer zones were Martinsville, Mooresville, Monrovia, and Morgantown.
At the time, residents in those areas complained to county officials that their property was controlled by officials in municipalities where they were not able to vote.
Several years ago, the county attempted to abolish the buffer zones but were unsuccessful.
Last year, the county again attempted to abolish the buffer zones.
This time they were successful. As of Dec. 31, the buffer zones were abolished and control of development in those areas reverted to the county.
County planning director Laura Parker told commission members the challenge for her office is finding county zoning classifications that closely match the existing zoning in the buffer areas.
Parker said the county wants to make sure the existing uses of the property in these zones can continue under county control.
Plan commission members voted to send the proposed new zoning classifications to the commissioners with a favorable recommendation for the commissioners to approve.
First buffer zone request
Commission members had their first request for a rezoning and re-platting of property in the former Mooresville buffer zone.
Craig Haggard requested three acres of property on Western Road in Madison Township be divided into two lots. He plans to build a home on one lot. Due to the county unified development ordinance, Haggard needed to have the property rezoned from agricultural to rural residential for a single family home.
A resident who lived close to Haggard's property expressed concerns about drainage and septic conditions on the property. He also expressed concerns about the type of home Haggard hopes to build.
Commission president Terry Brock said Haggard will have to follow the county's drainage ordinance. He said the county's board of health will decide on the septic system. As for the type of house Haggard could build, unless he is in a subdivision where there are restrictions and requirements, the county does not regulate the type of home that is built.
The resident said when the buffer zones were in effect, the Town of Mooresville could dictate what type of home was built. He said the county should have the same requirements.
Brock said the county requires some design standards, such as setback distances, but leaves construction up to the owner.
Commission members approved division of the lot and sent the zoning request to the commissioners with a favorable recommendation.
Commission members also gave a favorable recommendation to Jeanie Hoots to rezone property at 7500 East Spring Lake Road in Madison Township from Agricultural to Residential One for a single family home.
The next scheduled plan commission meeting is Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the county administration building.
This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: Morgan County abolishes buffer zones around cities and towns
