Russellville joining with county comprehensive plan

RUSSELLVILLE — While specific requirements are not to be outlined for the town, Russellville leaders are in support for the county’s new comprehensive plan.

Though with Cathy Jones absent, Russellville councilmen Cary McGaughey and Tony Riggen voted to opt into the plan at their regular meeting last Wednesday evening. The consideration was tabled last month as Riggen was absent, while Jones was in favor of the town being involved.

With County Planning Director Lisa Zeiner returning to outline the town’s options, McGaughey and Riggen decided to adopt the county’s overall land use provisions to be detailed in the plan. This was in lieu of adopting it and developing an individual sub-area section for the town at a cost of $8,300.

Zeiner reiterated having a comprehensive plan in place to secure grant money, and also that businesses expect planning and zoning requirements to be in place where they could locate. In turn, the town could ask for its own sub-area section to be added when the plan might be re-evaluated next.

“It is a living plan, so we’re constantly looking at it, we’re constantly correcting it and making changes,” Zeiner said to this. “There may be another opportunity for you guys to then have your own sub-area plan in conjunction with that.”

The council also approved the adoption of a unified development ordinance (UDO) at no cost. This will combine the county’s current zoning and subdivision control ordinances into one document, while Russellville itself does not have either.

Zeiner said the county would administer the town’s planning and zoning under an interlocal agreement, similar to how building permits are currently issued. A town-represented committee would also be in place to overlook decisions.

“We would work with you to figure out what you want to zone with areas inside the town limits,” Zeiner said. “That’s not something that the county is going to do on their own. We’re gonna want input from you guys.”

The other option was adopting the UDO but having a board of zoning appeals and a plan commission, a move which McGaughey and Riggen suggested was untenable. Being facetious, Riggen commented that both boards would comprise half the town.

“At any time in the future if the town does grow, you can take that over,” Zeiner said in turn. “You’re not stuck and locked into that. There are options.”

As both the comprehensive plan and the UDO were approved, Zeiner indicated the interlocal agreement would be drawn up when both documents are being finalized.

In other business:

• It was agreed for hydrants to be flushed on Monday, April 24. Clerk-Treasurer Martha Mandleco said notices would be included in April bills, as well as posted at the post office and Tri-County Bank & Trust.

With Town Marshal Matt Biggs also in attendance, Town Attorney Stu Weliever, Street Superintendent John Boller and Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Teresa Ciulla were absent.

The next regular meeting of the Russellville Town Council is set for Wednesday, April 26 at 7 p.m. at the Russellville Community Center.