County Discusses Subdivisions

The Jasper County Commissioners Monday voted to approve a preliminary plat for Water’s Edge Subdivision, Phase 2, much to the dismay of some residents.

Only two residents were at Monday’s called meeting to speak against the development, but several had spoken when the commissioners first considered it at their regular meeting at the beginning of the month. However, the commissioners, with little discussion, approved the plat. The Planning & Zoning Board had recommended denial, 3-2. The commissioners approved it 5-0.

Commission Vice-Chair Gerald Stunkel said it is not a matter of liking the development. He said it is their job to weigh the rights of the residents and the rights of the developers. He also agreed with what many had said about Long Piney Road needing work. He said that was an absolute, whether or not another development comes. ‘Long Piney is too narrow for current traffic,” he said. He blamed previous Boards of Commission for not paying proper attention to the road.

He said that he felt that eventually disapproval would lead to a lawsuit the county cannot win, thereby costing the county money. He said to be a good steward of the county’s money, he had to vote yes.

Also at Monday’s meeting, the commissioners approved an intergovernmental agreement with the city of Monticello for the county to handle the city’s election.

After the commissioners handled those two items of business, they spent about an hour discussing the subdivision ordinances and what changes they perceive need to be made. They heard from several people in the audience, including Justin Owens, the chair of the county’s Planning & Zoning Commission, engineer Robert Jordan, Brian Cagle, Bill Nash and others.

The commission wants to revamp the ordinances, to be sure they are consistent, number one, and then to be sure they are designed to prevent a heavy influx of people, ruining the county’s rural nature.

Sections 105 and 119 were the main parts of the ordinance they looked at Monday night.

Attorney David Ozburn explained the difference in a conventional subdivision and a conservation subdivision, and suggested the county could do away with the two definitions, and just describe what they want in a subdivision.

Commission chairman Bruce Henry indicated he needs to do more homework on the ordinances. The commission has reached out to a company that handles zoning issues to possibly help the county with the process. There currently is a six month moratorium on subdivisions, until June 30, 2022, so the ordinances can be revamped.