01/07/10 The Plymouth Plan Commission met earlier this week for their annual reorganization of the commission.  Board members unanimously voted to retain the current officers including Doug Feece as President, Sally Greenlee as Vice-President, and Fred Webster as Secretary.  Board member Greg Compton will serve as liaison to the County Plan Commission since he is already on the County Commission as the Commissioner’s representative.

The Plan Commission set the meeting date and times for 2011.  The commission will meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

In other business commission member Fred Webster asked about political signs.  The City’s zoning ordinance limits the placement of signs until 30 days prior to the election.  He suggested the city enforce the ordinance to take it off the books.

Keith Hammonds, the City’s Building Commissioner said the city attorney’s opinion is that they (political signs) are exempt from the ordinance because they are an expression of freedom of speech.  Hammonds continued by stating that the attorney said, “We can’t enforce it.”

The commission asked Hammonds and Planning Consultant Bill Neal to meet with Attorney Nelson Chipman and further discuss the issue.

Commission member Mark Gidley suggested contacting the political parties and inform them of the rules within the city limits.

The Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals met following the Plan Commission for their reorganizational meeting of the new year.   They too voted to retain the same officers, Don Ecker as President, Jim Sherwood as Vice President and Mark Gidley as Secretary.  Their meeting dates and times will be the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.

The only item of business was the request of Juan Luva to reduce the front yard setback from the development standard of 50 feet to 0 feet for an attached garage at 1927 Jim Neu Drive.

During last June’s meeting the commission approved the request for a carport at the same location with the 0 setback.

The Building Commissioner explained to the commission that a fire happened at the home last summer.  He said, “That’s a good thing.”  When they started to remodel I was able to red tag the framing and electrical work.”  He continued by saying, “The homeowner has hired a restoration professional who will meet the building codes.”

The BZA voted unanimously to approve the variance.