Olivia P Tucker
Times Reporter
The Scottsburg City Council voted to approve the first reading of the new Unified Development Ordinance and Zoning at their meeting on Oct 23.
Shawn Dade of Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group presented a Powerpoint with the details of the new ordinance. This ordinance would be the city of Scottsburg’s outline of how zoning changes would be handled and the rules for each of the zoned areas that must be followed. This ordinance also includes those areas within the 2-mile fringe, which have city utilities provided to them such as water and electricity.
Council President Ric Manns said, “One question that residents of Vienna have brought up, if I remember correctly could we take Vienna Hill out of this zoning map legally?” Manns even commented on the possibility of altering the map with the 2-mile fringe asking the city attorney Josh Stigdon if that was even possible.
“It’s either you adopt a 2-mile fringe or you don’t,” Stigdon advised. “You can’t pick and choose parcels.”
“I want to help the residents of Vienna but I also want to protect the city taxpayers,” said Manns, “if we have to do away with the 2-mile fringe, then we have no control. I don’t want someone to come in here, build something and then the city taxpayers (may have to pay). I am ultimately elected to represent the city taxpayers.”
Manns said that he doesn’t want to give up the land that is boarding the city that otherwise wouldn’t be included if the 2-mile fringe wasn’t in effect.
Scottsburg resident and Scott County Advisory Plan Commission secretary Marty Randall said, “There is a question in the commissioners’ minds as well. When this was created in 2018, I think it was the commissioners are supposed to act on accepting this 2-mile fringe as well as the city council. There was never any formal action taken by the county commissioners.” She asked the council if the Scott County Commissioners have the right to deny the 2-mile fringe.
Stigdon told Randall that if the county wishes to undo the 2-mile fringe they have the right to do so but there are steps that are required to follow. The county commissioners have to have something in place in order for the decision to be made.
Councilman Christian Evans said, “The reality of it is—and I can speak for everyone I think here on this council—our intent was to not have jurisdiction over (Vienna residents) property or anyone within the 2-mile fringe. We have had an issue for numerous years where our brand new $17 million wastewater treatment plant has incurred a lot of the issues from that 2-mile fringe area.”
The Scottsburg City Council voted 4-1 on the Unified Development Ordinance with Bill Hougland opposing the decision.
The Council also discussed the addition of the Historic Preservation District included in the Unified Development Ordinance. The purpose is to preserve the character of downtown.
The district goes along Highway 56 around the square in Scottsburg extends to the west at Hazard Street and Railroad Street and to the east of highway 56 between 2nd and 5th street.
The Council voted unanimously to include of the Historic Preservation District as a part of the Unified Development Ordinance.