MOUNT VERNON — Regional Planning Commission members on Thursday got a birds-eye view of what the county can do to prepare for future growth.

Jeff Gottke, president of the Area Development Foundation, presented key takeaways from the recent Knox County Growth Strategy report.

RELATED READING

Knox County’s Intel response: ‘It’s not a freak-out’

by Cheryl Splain October 19, 2023

A local advisory committee commissioned the study in response to Intel’s announcement it would locate a $20 billion semiconductor facility in Licking County.

The county commissioners and Knox County Foundation paid for the report. ADF staff coordinated it.

Gottke noted the strategy is not limited to Intel’s potential effect on Knox County.

“The Central Ohio area has been growing, so we expanded our focus to growth in general,” he said.

Gottke reviewed commuter, business, housing, and demographic information. He touched on land use, noting the significance of townships submitting land use maps for inclusion in the comprehensive plan.

Regional planning seeks input from Knox County townships

by Cheryl Splain August 19, 2023

“I think we are laying a good foundation for the comprehensive plan rewrite,” RPC secretary Darrel Severns said of the report.

Lear explains her vote

Congresswoman Beth Lear said she has taken criticism for voting no on HB 33, the state’s operating budget for FY 2024-25. Lear represents Ohio House District 61, which includes the western half of Knox County.

“I voted no. I had my reasons, but I got some good things added to it as well,” she said, citing the increase from $50,000 to $75,000 for competitive bids as an example.

As to her no vote, Lear said she had issues with the housing tax credit because it encourages low-income rentals.

“I want to see people have affordable homes, not a rental, because homeowners invest in their homes,” she said.

Lear opposed making the director of the Ohio Department of Education a gubernatorial appointee and taking away power from the state board of education.

She also objects to the provision that requires unionization for solar projects up to 30 megawatts.

RPC action

RPC members declined to approve a Liberty Township zoning change from M-1 manufacturing to B-1 general business.

Schilling Propane requested the change for a 5-acre parcel on Keys Road. The Upper Sandusky-based company wants to change the use of an existing house from office to residential. Residential is not allowed under the M-1 designation.

The Land Use Committee voted not to recommend the zoning change. RPC members concurred.

The commission did recommend approving numerous Milford Township zoning resolution amendments. Changes include removing a conservation district, adding standards for home occupations, and expanding use exemptions to address agricultural uses, farm markets, agritourism, and public utilities.

Milford Zoning Inspector Kris Caldwell said, “We were very vague. There were a lot of areas that [County Prosecutor] Chip McConville really couldn’t defend.”

by Cheryl Splain October 20, 2023