Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

“I don’t want a junk yard on 421,” said Linda Krinop, Osgood Town Council member at the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on Tuesday, July 29. This was in regards to a special exception request made by Osgood business owners Carl and Susan Mullikin.

The request, which was tabled at the last meeting, would permit the storage of disabled vehicles impounded by the police department. The concern of Krinop, and Osgood Town Council President Jeff Volz, was that the business would continue to be used as a salvage yard. A request was made to have a limit on the number of cars stored on the property and to have a fence completely surrounding the area where they are to be stored.

Mullikin admitted that some of the vehicles on the property were used to provide spare parts for his auto repair business. According to Attorney John Ertel, “this goes beyond the scope of the variance.”
BZA members were reminded by Mullikin that the Osgood Police Department occasionally stores impounded vehicles on his lot because, “there is no where else for these vehicles to be stored.”
According to Mullikin, over 50 vehicles have been removed from the property during the past three weeks, and that more are slated for removal. Also, a fence has been installed on the north and west sides of the property.

The BZA unanimously agreed to grant the special exception with the restrictions of the completion of the fence on the south side of the property, a limit of 20 towed vehicles, and no salvage operations.

Other business heard at the meeting included:
Property owned by Eugene and Elene Gunter at 13004 State Road 129, Batesville, was granted special permission to operate a veterinarian clinic and kennel. According to Jeff French, surveyor for the project, the business will board a maximum of ten pets during the day, and 24 overnight. Existing structures will be used for the kennel, and the generated waste will be disposed of professionally.
Michelle Garcia, neighboring property owner, voiced her concerns about noise from the dogs and the decrease in property value.

According to Ertel, the comprehensive plan for growth for the area included both business and residential building, and therefore would not affect values. As for the noise from the dogs, the dogs will be housed in the indoor kennels overnight, which will confine the noise of barking to the property.

The Town of Versailles received special exception to operate a sports park at 1700 South County Road 50W, Versailles. The property was formerly used by the wastewater plant, but has since been filled in and the soil tested for harmful chemicals.

According to Versailles Town Council President John Holzer, the first phase of construction will include four baseball/softball fields, four soccer fields, a concession stand, and a shelter house.
It was noted that there will be no overhead lights installed, with all games instead played during daylight hours. According to County Commissioner Lawrence Nickell, 50W will be widened to accommodate the increase of traffic.

Holzer also noted that phase two of the project includes basketball and tennis courts and a recreation hall. Paul Morris, Holton, supported the project saying, “I think sports facilities are important to the community.”

Morris went on to express his hope that the sports center would include wildlife and walking areas in the future. Town council member Denessa Benkie stated that the town is looking into grants that would be used for exactly this type of activity.

In other business:
• Hanson Aggregates was granted special permission to permit expansion of a mining operation on two properties that were recently purchased.
• The BZA unanimously agreed to give special exception to Levi Beiler to operate a hardware store and lumber yard on County Road 550S, Holton.
• Elam Beiler received special exception permit to operate a welding and hydraulic repair shop on County Road 550S, Holton.
• Tammy Bender, Sunman, was granted special exception to permit operation of a kennel, housing a maximum of ten dogs.

Wayne Peace, Carol Evans, and Roger Lang were in attendance, along with Tad Brinson, planning commission executive director and Attorney John Ertel to advise. The next BZA meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 26 beginning at 7 p.m. in the commissioners’ room of the courthouse annex.