Suit to be filed against Holton resident for zoning violations
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

It was announced at the Ripley County Area Planning Commission meeting that a law suit will be filed this week in Ripley County Court against Ann Ramsbottom for zoning violations on her property on Hopewell Road in Holton. Ramsbottom first came before the Ripley County Board of Zoning Appeals in May of 2002. At that time she was building a kennel on her property and had not obtained the proper permits. When neighbors complained, all building ceased. At the June 2002 meeting the BZA approved a variance and special exception for the kennel.

Now, a neighbor has come forth complaining the kennels are not in compliance. The law suit will show Ramsbottom is in violation of the variance, special exception, and the county noise ordinance. Each violation is subject to a $2,500 fine.

The $2,500 per day per violation fine that was approved by the Ripley County Area Planning Commission was rejected by the Ripley County Commissioners and sent back to the Planning Commission. They now propose a $2,500 per 30-day, per violation fine. This was given unanimous approval from the Commission and was sent to the Ripley County Commissioners for their consideration.

President of the Commission, Sam Row, read a statement by Osgood Town Board member Paul Struckman in the February 24, issue of the Osgood Journal, "If the county does not have to get a building permit then they should refund the money Osgood had to pay for putting

up a storage building." Row said the statement is totally false. Planning Director Tad Brinson passed out a list of building permits the county has obtained in the past. It was explained, "The reason the county does not pay for building permits is the money would come from the General Fund and go back into the General Fund, so it's just moving money around."

Jim Lemen represented The Friendship State Bank asking for a vacation and re-plat of Lot #3 in The Friendship State Bank Subdivision on John Paul Street in Versailles. The re-plat divides the 1.4 acre lot into two plats. Lemen said a business plans to build on the smaller tract. The vacation and re-plat were approved.

Dan Gutapfel asked for a re-zone at 5780 E. State Road 46 from agriculture to local business. He plans to put a roofing supply business on the property. His request was sent to the county commissioners with a favorable approval.

Nick Borgman received primary approval of Dickman's one-lot agricultural subdivision. The 29.2942 acre tract is located on County Road 950 North, Batesville.

Nine of the twelve members of the Planning Commission were present: Sam Row, Kaye Hunger, Roger Lang, Bob Gray, Henry Nickell, Covell Mills, Jeff French, Steve Youngman, and Dave Osborne. Planning Director Tad Brinson and Attorney John Ertel were present to advise the Commission. All three county
commissioners, John Little, Bob Reiners and Chuck Folz were in attendance. The next meeting of the Ripley County Area Planning Commission will be Tuesday, April 6, at 7:00 p.m. at the Ripley County Courthouse Annex.