(PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
VARIANCE UPDATE … Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles (right) displays a map of the parcel for which a garage variance is requested, as Mayor Bob Day (left) observes.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Edgerton Planning Commission convened on July 23 at 5:30 p.m., holding a brief but productive meeting that saw the approval of a variance request and a recommendation for rezoning two significant parcels.
Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht conducted roll call, with members Larry Welch, Preston Knecht, Lance Bowsher, and Mayor Bob Day present. Camie Hicks was absent. Also in attendance were Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles and council member Jason Gruver.
Getting straight to business, the commission first addressed the minutes from the August 8, 2024, meeting. Welch initiated the motion for approval, which Knecht seconded, leading to a unanimous vote from the members.
The first of two agenda items for discussion involved a request for a variance at 223 Clarksville Road. Administrator Fitzcharles explained that the request sought permission to place a garage within two feet of the rear property line, significantly less than the usual 25-foot requirement. The proposed garage, however, would meet the seven-foot requirement along the other property line.
Fitzcharles added that the neighboring property was a unique property that wraps around behind the parcel in question.
Neighboring property owners had been contacted and presented no arguments against the structure, and the requesting property owners were present to elaborate on their discussions. Bowsher moved to approve the variance, seconded by Day, and the motion passed unanimously.
Next, the commission considered a motion to rezone two parcels to facilitate further development, parcel numbers 061-280-13-002.001 and 061-280-13-003-00. Fitzcharles clarified that these parcels were currently zoned differently, making property utilization difficult for the owner.
One parcel is designated as a special district, for which Fitzcharles expressed uncertainty regarding the rationale behind this initial classification, which is normally reserved for municipally owned facilities.
The remaining parcel is zoned as a general business district. The owner is requesting that both parcels be uniformly zoned as general business districts.
Fitzcharles then guided the commission through the rezoning process. The owner submits an application to the planning commission. Once the planning commission approves the motion, the commission would make a formal recommendation to the village council.
The council would then need to hold a hearing within 60 days. If there are no contests, the council would then approve the zoning request by ordinance.
Council Member Gruver inquired whether the property contained drain tile. Fitzcharles promptly displayed a map, confirming the drain tile locations were further down and not directly on the properties in question.
With no further discussion or questions, Bowsher moved for approval, seconded by Knecht, and the motion received unanimous consent from all members.
The last order of business was adjournment, which Bowsher quickly motioned for, seconded by Welch. All members approved, and the meeting concluded at 6:48 p.m.