County planning director gives report to commissioners
2006 budget down from last year
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

Tad Brinson, planning director, gave his monthly report to the Ripley County Area Planning Commission at their September 6, meeting. First he reported the 2006 budget will be $137,450, down from $144,684 in 2005. Budget items cut were $1,000 from member's wages, $1,000 supplies, $5,000 legal fees, $500 consultants, and $5,250 for mileage. Five-hundred dollars was added back in the budget for dues and subscriptions. The Planning Department took in $168,000 in fees in 2005.

Brinson also gave his monthly report for August. The Planning Department issued 44 permits, approved 11 plats, one subdivision, two rezones, and one variance. There was $12,450 deposited from the building deposit fund into the general fund.

Mark and Barbara McKittrick's application for primary approval of Cedar Knoll Subdivision was approved by a vote of 10-0-1 with Jeff French abstaining. The subdivision is located at 6415 E. County Road 50 North in Milan. They divided 10.0868 acres into two lots. An existing house is on 3.4573 acres leaving 5.8653 acres for a new lot.

Attorney Larry Eaton appeared on behalf of James and Marsha Bultman of Osgood. The Bultmans asked to rezone part lots 367 and 366 in the original Town of Osgood from the Residential-3 District to the General Business District. This is property that is blacktopped for their restaurant business and part has another building on it. The Commission sent the rezone to the Town of Osgood with a favorable recommendation.

Mary Meyer-McKittrick asked to rezone lots 1,2,3, and 4, of the Elliott Subdivision in the Town of Milan from the Residential-1 District to the Local Business District. This property is located along Highway 101 and fits in with Milan's comprehensive plan. The rezone was sent to the Town of Milan with a favorable recommendation.

The rezone application for Peter Hillenbrand was tabled until Andy Bryant submits a letter stating the septic is adequate.

The Commission voted to meet at 5:30 p.m. on October 4, to go over the Rules of Procedure. This is preceding their regular meeting.

Eleven of twelve commission members attended the meeting: Steve Youngman, Robert Gray, Maureen Sheets, Jeff French, Sam Row, 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 Tuesday, October 4, at 7:00 p.m. at the Commissioners Room at the Courthouse Annex in Versailles.