CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Ross County commissioners voted Aug. 24 to formally adopt the county’s new comprehensive plan, closing out a process that included two public hearings on the document.
Commissioner Jack Everson opened the second public hearing at 9:30 a.m. during the board’s regular meeting, following an earlier hearing the board had scheduled for that date. Attendees included Tish Collins, Kim Hardesty, Kevin Coleman and Dave Pinkerton, according to meeting minutes, though no one from the audience offered comment. Commissioner James Lowe moved to close the hearing at 9:50 a.m., and Commissioner David Glass seconded the motion.
After the hearing closed, Glass made the motion to officially adopt the Ross County Comprehensive Plan. The board approved the adoption unanimously.
Comprehensive plans guide county decisions on land use, zoning and growth for years after adoption, giving local officials a framework for evaluating development proposals and infrastructure priorities.
In other business at the meeting, commissioners approved a change order for construction of the Hopewell Regional Visitors Center, adding $235,200 for installation of an aggregate pier foundation and for undercutting the drive and parking areas to place compactable dirt. The change order brings the total contract price for the project to $4,619,957.
Commissioners also heard updates from Hopewell Regional Visitor Center (CVB) Director Melody Young and board member Curt McCallister, who discussed funding options for the change order along with janitorial service and utilities for the new center.
The board approved several other routine items during the meeting, including bills totaling $2,406,672.92, multiple fund transfers, and a five-year lease with Michael Wilson for property on Yellowbud Road in Chillicothe.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Ross County Board of Commissioners.
