The Township Zoning Commission met in a regular meeting. The Commission discussed zoning resolution definitions, as provided by Hancock County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Cindy Land. The Commission also discussed industrial districts (specifically light industrial & general industrial districts) and general provisions.
The Township Zoning Commission met in a regular meeting. The Commission discussed business districts and determined B1, B2 & B3 would be kept separate.
The Township Zoning Commission met in a regular meeting. They primarily discussed business districts and how they should be treated. Historical maps of zoning and current land use maps were shared.
Here is a copy of the proposed zoning resolution from Allen Township’s most recent (and unsuccessful) attempt to enact zoning in the early 2000s. This is being used by the township as part of its current zoning discussions.
The Township Zoning Commission met in a regular meeting. They discussed zoning for residential properties. They eliminated the R2 district from the prior ordinance. There was a significant discussion about lot size, house size, and setbacks.
The Zoning Commission met it a regular meeting to begin discussing the proposed ordinance. They worked on the definitions. Significant time was spent on the definition of building. They briefly took public comments.
Meeting Summary: The Allen Township Trustees met for a regular meeting. They approved minutes and payables. They approved a road project design. They received regular reports. They approved up to $20,000 for a hole repair due to a tile issue. They then went into executive session to discuss litigation. They came back out and were informed that the petition for zoning had been challenged. They approved a zoning resolution that was modified to say that regardless of the petition determination they were using their authority to approve beginning the zoning process (without any debate or discussion). They then appointed a five-member zoning commission (without any debate or discussion). When questioned about how the five members were selected, they were unable to articulate a clear answer other than “we decided”. Public comments were accepted. The meeting was adjourned.
Editorial Commentary: The E Allen has no idea what happened at the first Zoning Commission meeting. We were physically present. We were recording. We were 10 feet away. But, the newly appointed zoning commission members employed tactics making it nearly impossible to discern what was said. The commission clearly coordinated with supporters in the room to block the camera and to keep the room at nearly 80dB for an hour so they could hide their deliberations from the public.
Residents deserve to observe the public process that decides how their land can be used. Public meetings should not happen at 80dB. We are not even sure when their next meeting is because it was so hard to hear (again, from 10 feet away). We encourage you to try to watch the video for yourselves.
At the Allen Township Trustee meeting on March 5, 2024 the Allen Township trustees accepted a petition to start the process to zone Allen Township and create a zoning Commission. The petition was certified by the Board of Elections. The Trustees stated that because they received a valid and certified petition, they were required to start the process to zone Allen Township. The Trustees stated that they were accepting volunteers to be on a Zoning Commission and they would appoint the Commission members at their upcoming April 2, 2024 meeting. The trustees also said that they would hold the first Zoning Commission meeting after the Township Trustees’ April 2, 2024 meeting. The Trustees went into Executive Session to discuss the pending One Energy litigation.
The Township Trustees held a regular meeting. They put several standing purchase orders in place and paid several bills. They received reports on Township operations. Then, on the advice of counsel, they adopted a new Open Meetings Act resolution after counsel stated they were unable to locate the previous resolution from 1996. The Trustees then adjourned into executive session to discuss Open Meetings Act litigation. After the Executive Session, they withdrew the previous resolutions related to establishing a zoning commission and zoning ordinance. Trustees advised the public they could submit a petition to start the zoning process. Trustees then took questions and comments from the public.