Municipal control of development on outskirts soon to be a thing of the past
Properties on the outskirts of Martinsville, Mooresville, Monrovia, and Morgantown will no longer under municipal control after Morgan County repealed the four ordinances that, back in 2001, established the buffer zones in the county.
The zones previously allowed the municipalities to control development in designated areas around city or town boundaries. Residents in those zones complained their property was controlled by officials for whom they could not vote.
Several years ago, the county attempted to remove buffer zones but failed.
This time, the county worked with the municipalities to make the change as easy as possible for all.
In addition to repealing the ordinances that established buffer zones, the commissioners approved new zoning designations that closely match the existing zoning in those areas.
The ordinances repealing the buffer zones now goes to the county council for approval.
Other business
The commissioners adopted the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines. The county is in the process of constructing a new judicial center and doing a complete remodel of the courthouse.
William (Bill) Dials, a county employee whose primary job has been making sure the county follows the rules when it comes to erosion control, is planning to retire at the end of February. County surveyor Terry Brock asked the commissioners to keep Dials on as a contract employee due to his extensive knowledge of the storm water law. The commissioners approved the request.
The commissioners also repealed two ordinances passed at the beginning of the pandemic that established special conditions for employees and gave them additional benefits. Now the pandemic has wanted, the commissioners felt the ordinances were no longer needed.
Cars to return to square
The commissioners gave approval for the CruiseIn to use the courthouse square every Thursday night. The event has been held for some time and it never fails to draw a crowd of people and vehicles. It will begin April 1 and run to the end of October. It will not be held during Artie Fest or the Fall Foliage Festival.
The next scheduled commissioner meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the county administration building.
This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: Buffer zones in Morgan County repealed by commissioners
