Planning Commission Meeting

MINUTES OF MEETING INDIAN HILL PLANNING COMMISSION February 19, 2025 The regular meeting of the Indian Hill Planning Commission was held on February 19, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers of the Village Administration building. Members Present: Rita Stolper Shayne Manning Barrett Tullis Don McGraw Robert Schilling, Planning Commission alternate Members Absent: Joseph Rhodenbaugh Officials Present: Jonathan West, Assistant City Manager Visitors Present: None Item Number 1: Motion to appoint a new chairperson of the Indian Hill Planning Commission: Mr. Manning made a motion to appoint Mrs. Stolper as the new chairperson. Mr. McGraw seconded, and the motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote. Item Number 2: Motion to appoint a vice-chairperson of the Indian Hill Planning Commission: Mr. Manning made a motion to appoint Mr. McGraw as vice-chairperson. Mrs. Stolper seconded, and the motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote. Item Number 3: Minutes and findings from the November 20, 2024 Indian Hill Planning Commission meeting: Mrs. Stolper requested that additional language be added to Mrs. Bloustein’s testimony regarding the variance requested at 9080 Hoffman Farm Lane. Mr. Tullis made a motion to approve the minutes and findings as revised. Mr. Manning seconded, and the motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote. Item Number 4: Case #25-001: Review and provide a recommendation to Village Council on proposed updates to Chapter 152 of the Indian Hill Code of Ordinances – Land Use Plan, updates to the Land Use Objectives and Policies, and updates to the Land Use Plan map. Mr. West states that over the past few years they have been reviewing all sections of the Village’s Code of Ordinances and recommending updates and revisions where needed. Due to several annexations that took place over the past several years, there Village of Indian Hill Minutes of Planning Commission Meeting February 19, 2025 Page 2 is a need to make sure the Land Use Plan, Land Use Objectives and Policies, and the Land Use Map are up to date. The Land Use Objectives and Policies are guidelines to be used in making land use decisions. The Planning Commission should consider the Land Use Plan and the objectives and policies when determining whether or not to grant special exceptions to the zoning ordinance and when preparing findings of fact and recommendations to Village Council with respect to zoning amendments. Mr. West reviews minor changes to Chapter 152 of the Indian Hill Code of Ordinances - Land Use Plan as well as minor changes to the Land Use Objectives and Policies. Under Physical Development and Site Design, Policy 6 of the Land Use Objectives and Polices a minor change was noted by replacing the proposed change of “State and Hamilton County regulations” with “applicable regulations”, as Mr. McGraw points out that the Village isn’t required to use Hamilton County. Clermont County could also be used. Under the Recreation section of the Land Use Objectives and Policies, Policy 1, the proposed change is to strike “and foot trails” since Green Area property is deed restricted to be left in its natural state and therefore walking on trails in Green Areas is not permitted. Mrs. Stolper questions why “foot trails” was initially included. Mr. West explains that he believes it was because when the fund was first established, it was called the Green Areas Trust and Recreational Fund. The Green Area’s Fund includes not only Green Areas, but also recreational areas, shooting clubs, and bridle trails. The current language is confusing because it’s opposite of what’s permitted. The proposed change helps to clarify what’s actually permitted. Mr. West gives two examples of Green Areas that came with deed restrictions to allow walking on the trails, which are Redbirdhollow and the nature conservancy property adjacent to Redbirdhollow. Mrs. Stolper expresses that she feels “foot trails” should be left in Policy 1. She comments that foot trails should remain in this section because the community would benefit if foot trails were permitted. Mr. West notes that this could be accomplished through the deed restrictions. The proposed change is an effort to avoid confusion since walking on Green Areas is not permitted and is considered trespassing. Mr. West reviews the changes to the Land Use Plan map, as it now includes all the annexed areas that were formerly in Symmes and Columbia Townships. Village of Indian Hill Minutes of Planning Commission Meeting February 19, 2025 Page 3 After brief discussion, Mr. Manning made a motion for a recommendation to Council to adopt the revisions to the Land Use Plan, updates to the Land Use Objectives and Policies, and updates to the Land Use Plan map as amended. Mr. McGraw seconded, and the motion was approved by a four to one roll call vote with Mr. Manning, Mr. McGraw, Mr. Schilling, and Mr. Tullis voting in favor of approval, and Mrs. Stolper voting against approval of the motion. There being no further business to come before the Commission, Mr. Tullis made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Manning seconded, and the motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote. Respectfully submitted, Rita Stolper, Chairperson ATTEST: Jonathan D. West, Secretary Pro-tem