Plymouth BZA Approves Variance at 1800 Jim Neu Dr.

01/11/12 Members of the Plymouth Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals met last week for their re-organizational meetings.

The Plan Commission motioned to keep the same officers as 2010 with Doug Feece as President, Sally Greenlee as Vice President and Fred Webster as Secretary.  They will keep their same meeting date and time of the 1^st Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Technical Review Committee members will be Fred Webster, Jim Sherwood, and Doug Feece.  Plan Commission members also supported the Mayor’s appointment of Greg Compton and Fred Webster to 4 year terms and Compton will serve at the liaison to the County Plan Commission.

President Doug Feece presented a map of the city and 2-mile zoning area, pointing out a dozen properties around the fringe that are split between the two zoning boards.  His proposal is to be “pro-active and clean-up the properties before an issue arises.”  Effected property owners will be notified of a public hearing to make the necessary changes in the near future.

The Plymouth BZA welcomed new member, Keith Wickens who is replacing Don Ecker on the board since he was elected to the City Council. They too, conducted reorganization with the election of officers.  Mark Gidley will serve as President, Phil Scott as Vice President and Allan Selge as Secretary.  Their meetings will also be the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

There was only one agenda item, an application for a variance of development standard by Chris and Don Marohn to allow a lot to have access off a 20 foot easement at 1800 Jim Neu drive.

After a short discussion the board unanimously approved the request since they had approved a similar variance request in December for the same owners.

The final issue the Plymouth BZA discussed was an issue with a 5^th-wheel camping trailer that is parked in a subdivision in the 2-mile zoning where it is told by neighbors that people are living in the recreational vehicle for more that the allotted 8 weeks per calendar year.

A neighbor was asking for the proper procedure to correct the issue should is arise again this year.  The board also asked for the city attorney to interpret the ordinance for them and clarify the definition of occupancy.