CLARK COUNTY —
The Clark County Planning Zoning and Building Commission approved amendments to two county zoning ordinances at its meeting Wednesday.
The first change is the final step in the commission answering questions that developed out of a patio home zoning allowance that was previously amongst the county’s possible zoning designations.
The commission had agreed to eliminate the allowance, instead leaving the building type to be developed under a Planned Unit Development — PUD.
“The philosophy behind the changes is to allow the developer the ability to design the project from the ground up, rather than starting with preconceived design criteria,” said David Nachand, attorney for the building commission.
Plans to construct a PUD can include nearly any type of development, but require very detailed plans and numerous stages of approval. The changes to the ordinances presented Wednesday amended the design provisions, filing procedure, final review process, covenants and maintenance as well as extensions, abandonment or expiration of the approval granted by the commission.
Amendment 6 to ordinance 17-2007 was unanimously approved.
A second group of changes approved was amendment 5 to ordinance 18-2007, which is the county’s subdivision ordinance.
The changes outlined were to ensure bonds and letters of credit are in place before secondary loans can be taken out by the builder and that the infrastructure improvements like drainage, road construction and electrical lines meet the county’s standard.
Once the basic improvements have been certified by the county engineer, or an escrow agreement is in place, then and only then will final plat approval be granted by the county.
“[The developer] would have to complete construction or place a cash fund in escrow with the county to ensure funding is established,” Nachand said.
The escrow funding, which is required to equal at least 120 percent of the amount estimated to complete the improvements, is designed to ensure the completion of the subdivision if the builder were to default or constructed something that was not up to the county’s requirements.
Also, with funding in an escrow account the process would be simplified for the county in releasing money. As each stage of building requirements is met the county would release that portion of the funding.
The purpose for the amendment is to ensure that a resident would not be left living in a half-completed subdivision or have the county being responsible for sub-standard infrastructure it would need to repair once it was deeded back over as public property.
One change was made before approval was granted for the amendment. It was allowing the number of model homes a builder can construct before being granted final plat approval from one to two model homes.
The amendment was approved 5 to 0.
Recent Local News
Zoning rules altered: Two ordinances cover subdivisions and PUDs
- Recent Local News
-
-
Memorial Day 2012
- News and Tribune briefs for May 29, 2012
-
HAYDEN: More thoughts on the ‘no’ votes
Many said they didn’t vote in the primary because they didn’t want the tag that would come with it: In having to ask for either a Democratic or Republican ballot — as required in primary voting — they feared or loathed the idea of being seen as loyal to a party.
-
Sweat Equity
-
Steamboat Museum will dedicate Pilothouse at June 9 ceremony
The bell from the steamboat Mississippi Queen will also be dedicated at this time.
The Mississippi Queen was built at JeffBoat in 1976 and scrapped in 2011. -
Lugar says he won’t campaign for Mourdock
Lugar issued a statement chastising Mourdock for his unwillingness to compromise after the tea party favorite soundly beat him in the May 8 primary election.
-
Grants available to downtown Jeffersonville residents
“The goal of this program is to strengthen the historic core of our community and to promote ongoing economic development in Jeffersonville,” said Jay Ellis, executive director of Jeffersonville Main Street Inc.
-
SWEET TREAT: Volunteers see the attraction of annual Starlight Strawberry Festival
-
Board chair: Parks district best solution for New Albany and Floyd County
Mayor Jeff Gahan’s veto of a new parks deal between the city and county was upheld earlier this month by the New Albany City Council. While the Floyd County Council agreed to still pay an additional $100,000 toward the parks department for the remainder of the year, the city and county remain under a prior agreement that led to funding discrepancies in the past.
-
THE 'V' WORD: SUB: Prosser Career Education Center moves away from stigma of ‘vocational’ school
- TARC sets Memorial Day and Kennedy Bridge route changes
- Indiana man releases hostages, fatally shoots self
-
Vietnam veteran receives medals 46 years after active duty ends
- More travelers to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend
-
Pence talks bridges, jobs during Southern Indiana swing
“I think everyone senses with the recent bridges agreement, the potential for extraordinary growth,” said Mike Pence, a U.S. House member who is seeking to replace Gov. Mitch Daniels and retain the gubernatorial seat for the Republican Party.
- More Recent Local News Headlines
-
