Planning commission holds hearing on fair board request for camp grounds

The Hillsboro Planning Commission held a public hearing and heard concerns from Hillsboro residents regarding a request for a variance by the Highland County Fair Board that would permit the installation of a parking and camping area on the fairgrounds, bordering the properties residents of Chariss Avenue and Kayrean Plaza.

The hearing was held July 12, prior to the Hillsboro City Council meeting. The residents had previously spoken to the commission, and the fair board had been asked to submit detailed plans and drawings regarding what they intended to do to the property. The Highland County Fair Board, according to the planning commission, is seeking a variance to allow the camping area, and not seeking to have the zoning changed. Planning commission member David Lowell said that the variance would be with the fair board, and if the fairgrounds were ever moved or the board disbanded, the variance would dissolve.  Lowell said that protects area residents, in that because the zoning would not change, a factory or some other facility could not be moved into the neighborhood. 

Fair  board president Dave Stratton addressed the planning commission, and submitted a drawing of plans for the property, which was also reviewed by the residents.

Stratton said there were no plans to use Chariss Avenue for ingress or egress to the fairgrounds, which could only be access from Fair Ground Road or Pea Ridge Road. Evergreen trees will be planted along the property line, Stratton said, along with fencing. 

The area will not be ready for use in time for the 2010 Highland County Fair, Stratton said, and by the time the property is ready for campers, water, electric and sewer hookups will be installed. 

The grounds will not be used as a commercial camping grounds, Stratton said, and that there is a state law exemption permitting camping for agriculture use during fairs. 

Chariss Avenue residents Chris and Cindy Cameron expressed concern that a turnaround area at the end of Chariss Avenue was not shown on the drawing, and that if it was removed vehicles would use their private driveway as a turnaround on the dead-end street. There was discussion on whether or not a cul-de-sac could be installed, if the fair board would maintain the area, or if it was something the city would have to maintain. 

After approximately 30 minutes of discussion on the matter, Hillsboro mayor and planning commission member Dick Zink made a motion that Stratton confer with Highland County Prosecutor Jim Grandey, who is counsel for the fair board, and come back with a detailed written proposal. The proposal will then be reviewed by the planning commission and a representative of Chariss Avenue. Zink asked if everyone was in agreement, and no one, of the approximately 20 people who were in attendance, objected. The motion was seconded by planning commission member and Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt. All members in attendance, Zink, Holt, Lowell and Robert Brown, voted in favor of the motion. 

Commission members Eric Smith, Kevin Barreras and Dan Benkiel were not in attendance.