Council committees discuss Pea Ridge Road paving project, code of ordinance revision
Lead Summary
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Three committees from the Hillsboro City Council met Tuesday to discuss pending city issues, including the paving of Pea Ridge Road, possible revisions in the code of ordinances regarding zoning and annexation, and a 25-year contract for electric service in the city.
Members of council's street and safety committee, zoning and annexation committee, and utilities committee met individually Tuesday evening.
Street and Safety Committee
The street and safety committee, with chairperson Brian Waller, met first.
Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt said that Highland County had applied for a grant to pave Pea Ridge Road, and recently received funding. In 2010 Highland County Engineer Dean Otworth had asked the city if they wanted to contribute to project, since a portion of Pea Ridge from State Route 73 to Fairground Road, is in the city. The city would have been responsible for 11 percent of the project, which was a cost of approximately $7,900, according to Holt. Council members felt like there were other streets that were in worse shape than Pea Ridge, and declined to participate in the project.
Holt said that since the county has received funding for the project, Otworth has offered to have the county engineer's office pay for half of the city's 11 percent. That would leave the city with approximately $3,795 to contribute toward the project.
"I can't have my driveway paved for that," Holt said, recommending the city take Otworth up on the offer.
Holt said last year he, Zink and Hillsboro Street Department Superintendent Steve Pence had examined the pavement on Pea Ridge and it seemed fine. Otworth has since advised him that due to some cracking, he believes that the city will need to be patching the road in the next two to three years.
Committee member Rod Daniels asked if Holt agreed with Otworth's assessment.
Holt said that he was not an expert in paving, but Otworth is and that he trusts his opinion.
Zink said that Pea Ridge was a very high-traffic road.
"I appreciate that Dean has offered that," Holt said.
"How do you justify spending that when there area other streets that need paved more than Pea Ridge?" Daniels asked.
Zink, Waller and Holt all said that other streets could not be paved for less than $4,000.
"It's a situation where you just won't get it done any cheaper," said committee member Dave Shoemaker.
Holt said that he had to let the county know by Wednesday of the city's decision, and even though it was one he was authorized to make himself, he wanted the committee's input since council had already turned down participating in the project.
"I think Ralph should have our approval to do so," Shoemaker said.
The committee then examined a request submitted to the city by Johnson Street resident John Schreck for the installation of stop signs at the intersection of West Muntz and Johnson Streets and East Muntz and Johnson Streets.
Holt said he believed Schreck was requesting the stop signs to possibly slow traffic on the street. Waller, who lives on Johnson Street, said that cars do go very fast in the area, but he did not think that stop signs would solve the problem.
"I don't see how this is going to work," he said. "The intersections aren't directly across from each other," Waller said.
"It's about half a block distance," Holt said.
Daniels asked if police patrols could be increased in the area. Zink said there were not enough funds to increase police patrols, as the HPD was already understaffed.
The committee voted to recommend to council that no action be taken on the matter.
The committee also discussed a request by Johnson Street resident Greg Walters to have variance granted so he could park his semi truck on his property.
Walters had addressed council during their April 11 meeting, saying he had been informed by the Hillsboro Police Department that even though he had been parking his truck there for several years, he was in violation of a city ordinance.
Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt said that parking a vehicle over a ton and a half in an area zoned Residential A was prohibited. Council had voted to grant Walters a one-month variance while the committee examined the issue.
Waller said that he had examined the property in question and that the truck did not block traffic, or impair any views of traffic.
Walter had also presented an affidavit signed by several of his neighbors that stated they did not mind the truck and were OK with Walters continuing to park it there.
Shoemaker, made a motion, which was seconded by Daniels, to recommend council grant Walters a variance. Shoemaker noted that that variance was for the resident and would not go with the property. The motion passed 3-0.
Zoning and Annexation Committee
Committee chairperson Rod Daniels said that he was interested in streamlining processes for annexing property into the city. He said that recently an item had been placed in his committee prematurely, because the Highland County Board of Commissioners had not yet held a hearing on a property annexation before sending it to the city, and he wanted to know how to avoid that in the future.
Daniels said that there was not much legislation in the city code regarding annexations.
"That's because we follow the state code," Holt said.
Holt and Shoemaker explained the process of having a property annexed into the city, which regarded the initial request, followed by the matter being heard by the Hillsboro Planning Commission. Residents who owner property within the area under consideration area sent a notice and are given an opportunity to address the commission. If the commission approves it, it is sent to city council for consideration and a hearing is held. The Highland County Board of Commissioners holds a separate hearing, and then must vote if they relinquish the property. Council then votes on the matter. Because all property annexed into the city is automatically zoned as the most restrictive property, if the property owner wants the zoning changed, a similar process must start over.
Daniels said that he felt it would be a better use of resources if the city and county held the hearings together.
Other council members, Holt and Zink voiced disagreement that the process needed to be changed, and asked how it was a waste of resources.
"We're holding two public hearings," Daniels said.
"We're not," Holt said, indicating the city holds one and the county holds another.
"That's (the commissioners') ball game, now ours," Zink said. "What the county does is nothing to us. We have our own problems."
Daniels said that it might be to everyone's benefit if there was more working together between the county and the city. Because other members have been on council longer than he has, Daniels said he wanted to hear their input. He asked Holt if there had been any complaints regarding the annexation process.
Holt said that he could not recall any complaints regarding the process.
Shoemaker said that he realized there were "a lot of hoops to jump through, but if it's not broke, don't fix it."
Daniels said it might be better for residents if there were less hoops to jump through. He said that it at least needed looked at.
"Look at it, but don't change it," Zink said.
"Look at it but don't change?" Daniels said.
"I didn't stutter," Zink said.
Shoemaker said that there were some gray area in the code where some meanings are vague.
Daniels wanted examples of the gray areas, and Shoemaker said that he couldn't point them out without sitting down and examining them. Waller, a zoning and annexation committee member, said he would need to read the section before he offered an opinion. The third committee member, Mary Brown Turner, was not in attendance due to health reasons.
Shoemaker suggested that Daniels write up proposed changes and that he would offer opinions on them then. Daniels said he would rather discuss it now. Shoemaker said that rewriting the code of ordinances is a massive undertaking, and if specific changes were proposed, he would offer his opinions then.
Daniels asked if there were "gray areas" in the code of ordinances concerning zoning. Holt said that there have been problems over the years, "but I've not run into problems that were not covered in the ordinance."
Daniels asked if there was a zoning "master plan" on how the city hoped it would some day all be zoned. The council and administration members did not think there was such a plan.
Utilities Committee
During their April 11 meeting, council heard the first resolution of an ordinance granting a franchise to Columbus Southern Power Company for distribution of electricity to the city of Hillsboro.
John Buck of AEP Ohio addressed council regarding the agreement, saying that the last agreement was signed in 1986, and each agreement is for 25 years. Koogler put the matter into the utilities committee for further review.
Utilities committee chairperson Dave Shoemaker said that he had read the proposed resolutions and compared it to the last one passed in 1986. Shoemaker said that other than the dates, the contracts were essentially identical, except for a provision that after 25 years, either the city of Columbus Southern could terminate the contract with a year's notice. The committee voted 3-0 to recommend council accept the legislation.
Three committees from the Hillsboro City Council met Tuesday to discuss pending city issues, including the paving of Pea Ridge Road, possible revisions in the code of ordinances regarding zoning and annexation, and a 25-year contract for electric service in the city.
Members of council's street and safety committee, zoning and annexation committee, and utilities committee met individually Tuesday evening.
Street and Safety Committee
The street and safety committee, with chairperson Brian Waller, met first.
Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt said that Highland County had applied for a grant to pave Pea Ridge Road and recently received funding. In 2010, Highland County Engineer Dean Otworth had asked the city if they wanted to contribute to project, since a portion of Pea Ridge from State Route 73 to Fairground Road is in the city. The city would have been responsible for 11 percent of the project, which was a cost of approximately $7,900, according to Holt. Council members felt like there were other streets that were in worse shape than Pea Ridge and declined to participate in the project.
Holt said that since the county has received funding for the project, Otworth has offered to have the county engineer's office pay for half of the city's 11 percent. That would leave the city with approximately $3,795 to contribute toward the project.
"I can't have my driveway paved for that," Holt said, recommending the city take Otworth up on the offer.
Holt said last year he, Zink and Hillsboro Street Department Superintendent Steve Pence had examined the pavement on Pea Ridge, and it seemed fine. Otworth has since advised him that due to some cracking, he believes that the city will need to be patching the road in the next two to three years.
Committee member Rod Daniels asked if Holt agreed with Otworth's assessment.
Holt said that he was not an expert in paving, but Otworth is and that he trusts his opinion.
Zink said that Pea Ridge was a very high-traffic road.
"I appreciate that Dean has offered that," Holt said.
"How do you justify spending that when there area other streets that need paved more than Pea Ridge?" Daniels asked.
Zink, Waller and Holt all said that other streets could not be paved for less than $4,000.
"It's a situation where you just won't get it done any cheaper," said committee member Dave Shoemaker.
Holt said that he had to let the county know by Wednesday of the city's decision, and even though it was one he was authorized to make himself, he wanted the committee's input since council had already turned down participating in the project.
"I think Ralph should have our approval to do so," Shoemaker said.
The committee then examined a request submitted to the city by Johnson Street resident John Schreck for the installation of stop signs "at the intersection of West Muntz and Johnson Streets and East Muntz and Johnson Streets."
Holt said he believed Schreck was requesting the stop signs to possibly slow traffic on the street. Waller, who lives on Johnson Street, said that cars do go very fast in the area, but he did not think that stop signs would solve the problem.
"I don't see how this is going to work," Waller said. "The intersections aren't directly across from each other."
"It's about half a block distance," Holt said.
Daniels asked if police patrols could be increased in the area. Zink said there were not enough funds to increase police patrols, as the HPD was already understaffed.
The committee voted to recommend to council that no action be taken on the matter.
The committee also discussed a request by Johnson Street resident Greg Walters to have variance granted so he could park his semi truck on his property.
Walters had addressed council during their April 11 meeting, saying he had been informed by the Hillsboro Police Department that even though he had been parking his truck there for several years, he was in violation of a city ordinance.
Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt said that parking a vehicle over a ton and a half in an area zoned Residential A was prohibited. Council had voted to grant Walters a one-month variance while the committee examined the issue.
Waller said that he had examined the property in question and that the truck did not block traffic or impair any views of traffic.
Walters had also presented an affidavit signed by several of his neighbors that stated they did not mind the truck and were OK with Walters continuing to park it there.
Shoemaker, made a motion, which was seconded by Daniels, to recommend council grant Walters a variance. Shoemaker noted that that variance was for the resident and would not go with the property. The motion passed 3-0.
Zoning and Annexation Committee
Committee chairperson Rod Daniels said that he was interested in streamlining processes for annexing property into the city. He said that recently an item had been placed in his committee prematurely because the Highland County Board of Commissioners had not yet held a hearing on a property annexation before sending it to the city, and he wanted to know how to avoid that in the future.
Daniels said that there was not much legislation in the city code regarding annexations.
"That's because we follow the state code," Holt said.
Holt and Shoemaker explained the process of having a property annexed into the city, which regarded the initial request, followed by the matter being heard by the Hillsboro Planning Commission.
Residents who own property within the area under consideration area sent a notice and are given an opportunity to address the commission. If the commission approves it, it is sent to city council for consideration and a hearing is held. The Highland County Board of Commissioners holds a separate hearing and then must vote if they relinquish the property. Council then votes on the matter. Because all property annexed into the city is automatically zoned as the most restrictive property, if the property owner wants the zoning changed, a similar process must start over.
Residents who own property within the area under consideration area sent a notice and are given an opportunity to address the commission. If the commission approves it, it is sent to city council for consideration and a hearing is held. The Highland County Board of Commissioners holds a separate hearing and then must vote if they relinquish the property. Council then votes on the matter. Because all property annexed into the city is automatically zoned as the most restrictive property, if the property owner wants the zoning changed, a similar process must start over.
Daniels said that he felt it would be a better use of resources if the city and county held the hearings together.
Other council members, Holt and Zink voiced disagreement that the process needed to be changed and asked how it was a waste of resources.
"We're holding two public hearings," Daniels said.
"We're not," Holt said, indicating the city holds one and the county holds another.
"That's (the commissioners') ball game, not ours," Zink said. "What the county does is nothing to us. We have our own problems."
Daniels said that it might be to everyone's benefit if there was more working together between the county and the city. Because other members have been on council longer than he has, Daniels said he wanted to hear their input. He asked Holt if there had been any complaints regarding the annexation process.
Holt said that he could not recall any complaints regarding the process.
Shoemaker said that he realized there were "a lot of hoops to jump through, but if it's not broke, don't fix it."
Daniels said it might be better for residents if there were fewer hoops to jump through. He said that it at least needed to be looked at.
"Look at it, but don't change it," Zink said.
"Look at it but don't change?" Daniels said.
"I didn't stutter," Zink said.
Shoemaker said that there were some gray areas in the code where some meanings are vague.
Daniels wanted examples of the gray areas, and Shoemaker said that he couldn't point them out without sitting down and examining them. Waller, a zoning and annexation committee member, said he would need to read the section before he offered an opinion. The third committee member, Mary Brown Turner, was not in attendance due to health reasons.
Shoemaker suggested that Daniels write up proposed changes and that he would offer opinions on them then. Daniels said he would rather discuss it now. Shoemaker said that rewriting the code of ordinances is a massive undertaking, and if specific changes were proposed, he would offer his opinions then.
Daniels asked if there were "gray areas" in the code of ordinances concerning zoning. Holt said that there have been problems over the years, "but I've not run into problems that were not covered in the ordinance."
Daniels asked if there was a zoning "master plan" on how the city hoped it would some day all be zoned. The council and administration members did not think there was such a plan.
Utilities Committee
During their April 11 meeting, council heard the first resolution of an ordinance granting a franchise to Columbus Southern Power Company for distribution of electricity to the city of Hillsboro.
John Buck of AEP Ohio addressed council regarding the agreement, saying that the last agreement was signed in 1986, and each agreement is for 25 years. Koogler put the matter into the utilities committee for further review.
Utilities committee chairperson Dave Shoemaker said that he had read the proposed resolutions and compared it to the last one passed in 1986. Shoemaker said that other than the dates, the contracts were essentially identical, except for a provision that after 25 years, either the city of Columbus Southern could terminate the contract with a year's notice. The committee voted 3-0 to recommend council accept the legislation.
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