Planning commission continues discussion on fair board variance request
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
Representatives from the Highland County Fair Board and residents of Chariss Avenue in Hillsboro met with the Hillsboro Planning Commission Tuesday, Aug. 24 to continue discussions on the board's request for a variance that would permit the installation of a parking and camping area on the fairgrounds, bordering the private properties of Chariss Avenue and Kayrean Plaza.
The commission has previously held a public hearing for local residents to express their concerns and hear information on the fair board's request. During a meeting held July 12 more than a dozen residents and fair board representatives engaged in a dialogue regarding the property's development. As several questions were left unresolved during that meeting it was decided that a residential representative would meet with the board and commission and report back to the neighbors.
During Tuesday's meeting fair board president Dave Stratton presented the commission with an amended request for a variance with detailed color drawings that showed property lines and development plans. The amended variance states the board will deed a space for a cul-de-sac - as requested by residents so traffic would not utilize private driveways for turnarounds on the dead-end Chariss Avenue - and that they will not install an entrance to the fair grounds at the end of Chariss Avenue "at this time or any time in the future."
Stratton told the commission that he has spoken to attorneys, the county commissioners and "just about everybody involved on our end."
The commission spent a time going over the map and asking questions regarding how far the camping spaces would be from the bordering residential properties, and where fencing barriers would be located.
Stratton said that a fence would "just about have to be" installed along the property line. Hillsboro Safety and Service Director and planning commission member Ralph Holt asked about a tree line that is supposed to be planted along the property line as well, questioning Stratton on how large the trees would be, if they would be planted as seedlings and how long it would take for them to grow to become a substantial barrier.
Stratton said that cost prevented the planting of mature trees, but when the trees grew they should provide a sufficient barrier.
After discussion Stratton said that due to the downturn in the economy it would take several years for the fair board to develop the property, and that requesting the variance was the first step in the process, which will eventually involve installing water and sewer for the camp grounds. In developing the property, Stratton said, the trees would be planted first, followed by the fencing.
Camping will only be permitted during the Highland County Fair Grounds, and will not be used as a commercial camping facility.
Holt asked for a timeline on further developments and Stratton said, "I can't give you a definite answer on that, the way the economy is. The way I see it, this would be the first step before we go to an engineer and ask for working drawings to get state permits and that sort of thing. The 4-H question, I think, enters into it, how many kids we're going to have if 4-H gets funded, how many families (are going to need to stay during fair week). Right now, the camping demand is high or better than it was last year. Last year we had approximately 300 units in there."
Looking at the map, Holt said that if spaces that are located farther away from residential areas are developed first it would give the trees time to mature.
"It's going to be a multi-year project," Stratton said. "I'd say it's a few years off. Depending on the financing. If we had an awful demand where we needed to throw in another 30 lots next year ..."
"Well my concern are the people in the subdivision," Holt said. "I think at our last open meeting there were a lot of individuals who were willing to listen and I want to make sure that we do what's right by them before you develop this."
"I wish I could tell you what kind of revenue we're going to have at the fair this year," Stratton said. "A lot of fairs have come down, a quarter, a third. That's going to impact what money we've got to put toward it."
"So would you say we're looking at five years?" Holt asked.
"Oh, I think so," Stratton said.
Holt asked that the board add to the addendum to the variance request, the width of the tree barrier, and the exact location of the barrier, "so it's all specific."
"Bottom line, it's going to come down to our law director and your county prosecutor to work it out," Holt said. "I just want to make sure it's all named and written so we all know what happens."
Planning commission member and Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink made a motion that all information regarding the barrier and the cul-de-sac be put into writing and spelled out in more detail, which was seconded by planning commission member Tim Young. All members in attendance voted in favor of the motion.
Representatives from the Highland County Fair Board and residents of Chariss Avenue in Hillsboro met with the Hillsboro Planning Commission Tuesday, Aug. 24 to continue discussions on the board's request for a variance that would permit the installation of a parking and camping area on the fairgrounds, bordering the private properties of Chariss Avenue and Kayrean Plaza.
The commission has previously held a public hearing for local residents to express their concerns and hear information on the fair board's request. During a meeting held July 12 more than a dozen residents and fair board representatives engaged in a dialogue regarding the property's development. As several questions were left unresolved during that meeting it was decided that a residential representative would meet with the board and commission and report back to the neighbors.
During Tuesday's meeting fair board president Dave Stratton presented the commission with an amended request for a variance with detailed color drawings that showed property lines and development plans. The amended variance states the board will deed a space for a cul-de-sac - as requested by residents so traffic would not utilize private driveways for turnarounds on the dead-end Chariss Avenue - and that they will not install an entrance to the fair grounds at the end of Chariss Avenue "at this time or any time in the future."
Stratton told the commission that he has spoken to attorneys, the county commissioners and "just about everybody involved on our end."
The commission spent a time going over the map and asking questions regarding how far the camping spaces would be from the bordering residential properties, and where fencing barriers would be located.
Stratton said that a fence would "just about have to be" installed along the property line. Hillsboro Safety and Service Director and planning commission member Ralph Holt asked about a tree line that is supposed to be planted along the property line as well, questioning Stratton on how large the trees would be, if they would be planted as seedlings and how long it would take for them to grow to become a substantial barrier.
Stratton said that cost prevented the planting of mature trees, but when the trees grew they should provide a sufficient barrier.
After discussion Stratton said that due to the downturn in the economy it would take several years for the fair board to develop the property, and that requesting the variance was the first step in the process, which will eventually involve installing water and sewer for the camp grounds. In developing the property, Stratton said, the trees would be planted first, followed by the fencing.
Camping will only be permitted during the Highland County Fair Grounds, and will not be used as a commercial camping facility.
Holt asked for a timeline on further developments and Stratton said, "I can't give you a definite answer on that, the way the economy is. The way I see it, this would be the first step before we go to an engineer and ask for working drawings to get state permits and that sort of thing. The 4-H question, I think, enters into it, how many kids we're going to have if 4-H gets funded, how many families (are going to need to stay during fair week). Right now, the camping demand is high or better than it was last year. Last year we had approximately 300 units in there."
Looking at the map, Holt said that if spaces that are located farther away from residential areas are developed first it would give the trees time to mature.
"It's going to be a multi-year project," Stratton said. "I'd say it's a few years off. Depending on the financing. If we had an awful demand where we needed to throw in another 30 lots next year ..."
"Well my concern are the people in the subdivision," Holt said. "I think at our last open meeting there were a lot of individuals who were willing to listen and I want to make sure that we do what's right by them before you develop this."
"I wish I could tell you what kind of revenue we're going to have at the fair this year," Stratton said. "A lot of fairs have come down, a quarter, a third. That's going to impact what money we've got to put toward it."
"So would you say we're looking at five years?" Holt asked.
"Oh, I think so," Stratton said.
Holt asked that the board add to the addendum to the variance request, the width of the tree barrier, and the exact location of the barrier, "so it's all specific."
"Bottom line, it's going to come down to our law director and your county prosecutor to work it out," Holt said. "I just want to make sure it's all named and written so we all know what happens."
Planning commission member and Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink made a motion that all information regarding the barrier and the cul-de-sac be put into writing and spelled out in more detail, which was seconded by planning commission member Tim Young. All members in attendance voted in favor of the motion.
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