Chillicothe Planing Commission Also Hears Comments on Two Proposed Property Uses
Chillicothe — The rewrite of the city zoning code is underway, and the consultants gave an update on it to the Chillicothe Planing Commission.
The board also heard negative public input on two applications.
American Structurepoint has been overhauling the city regulations since March, and David Baird and Ashley Newnam gave a presentation on the modernization, simplification, and clarification of it.
They said the old code is outdated, too complex, has duplicate terminology, is hard to use, and is missing definitions. Their biggest goal is to make it easier to use, easier for citizens to understand, and easier for city staff to administer.
They also say that it must be easier for developers. If they think investing in Chillicothe is hard, they won’t even try.
They also pointed out that the rewrite was prompted by the recent “Choose Chillicothe” comprehensive plan as one of the top priorities by respondents, and that their work on it is informed by an advisory group that represents all aspects of residents and businesspeople.
They hope to have the new zoning code – which they refer to as “unified development code” – to be ready after one year to be passed by council in March or April. Hear them in their own words in the below interview video, and see most of the slides they showed in another video.
Find information on the project on the city’s website. Under the slide show photos at top of the homepage, click on one of the blue tiles for “Chillicothe Engage” and find “Zoning Code Update.”
American Structurepoint is contracted for three projects within Ross County, and this is only one of their separate crews: They are also developing the plan for renovating Yoctangee Park, and are just starting on the new Ross County Master Plan.
The Chillicothe Planing Commission also aired an application to turn a dentist’s office in a house at 36 North Walnut Street, with a parking area behind, into a veterinarian’s office. An unexpectedly large turnout filled the conference room in the back of the Administration Building.
City staff said that some of the the concerns from neighbors on West Second Street were where dogs would be walked with almost no lawn, and whether veterinarian’s offices are even allowed in that zoning.
Another application was for the former adult daycare in National Church Residences at 142 University Drive, at the corner of Western Avenue. Neighbors in Governor’s Place condominiums said the building is already in use, with parking and dumpster issues.
Agendas for the Chillicothe Planing Commission (and other commissions) are available on the city’s homepage under “Upcoming Events.”
