Planning Commission votes 8-3
Household pets excluded from kennel definition
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

For several months the definition of a kennel has gone back and forth between the Ripley County Planning Commission and the Ripley County Commissioners.

At their Monday meeting, January 31, the Ripley County Commissioners recommended the following language to the Planning Commission for the kennel definition: "Any lot or use in which six (6) or more dogs (excluding household pets) more than six (6) months of age are kept, except where accessory to an agricultural use or veterinary clinic use." The Planning Commission passed the definition by an eight to three vote. Dissenting were Owen Menchhofer, Roger Lang and Covell Mills.

Also recommended by the County Commissioners was a definition of Household Pets, which reads, "Animals customarily kept within a home. Household pets include, but are not limited to dogs." The Planning Commission eliminated the word "customarily" from the definition, then passed it unanimously on to the County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation. Since this definition was recommended by the County Commissioners, it is most likely they will approve it and the matter will be put to rest.

David Shane appeared to ask for Primary Approval for Katherine's Korners Subdivision to be located between West and Washington Streets along Huenefeld Street in the town of Morris. He was speaking on behalf of Shane Design and Construction, Inc. He plans to put four homes on four lots. The request was approved 11-0.

Tad Brinson addressed the board as executive director. Brinson is the Code Enforcement Officer for the county. He suggested that the Commission might want him to attend a Masters Inspectors Course to be licensed. This would help his credentials when testifying in court. The
Commission advised him to go forward and explore financial options to get the training.

Three agenda items were tabled: Douglas and Gloria Holland's application for Primary Approval of Holland's one lot agricultural subdivision in Osgood; Ed Fraley's application to rezone property in Washington Township to Road Side Business and JRM Development's application for a rezone property on Rink Street in Milan to General Business.

Eleven of twelve commission members attended the meeting: Sam Row, Steve Youngman, Robert Gray, Henry Nickell, Jeff French, Covell Mills, Roger Lang, Owen Menchhofer, James Negangard, Kaye Hunger, and David Osborne. Executive Director Tad Brinson and Attorney John Ertel were present to advise the board. The next meeting of the Ripley County Planning Commission will be held on March 1, at 7:00 p.m. at the Commissioners Room at the Courthouse Annex in Versailles.

CATHY MAY PHOTO

Tad Brinson, executive director of the Ripley County Planning Commission, addressed the commission at the February 1, meeting.