Commission seeks input

The Troy Planning Commission, which May 13 delayed a decision on a controversial proposal to demolish a historic district house because of concerns about lack of public comment allowed under meeting procedures approved for the COVID19 pandemic, agreed May 27 to a limited input format for an application review.

The initial discussion May 13 was limited to commission members, city staff and a church representative who was allowed only to answer questions from the commission.

Commission members agreed May 27 to a proposal that would allow five minutes for a representative of the applicant and the opponents followed by three minutes for comments by up to two representatives for both sides. The commission will hear the proposal by the First United Methodist Church to demolish the 1880s house along South Cherry Street, south of the church, at its next meeting June 10.

City meetings - including the city council - have been held using the Zoom format with the COVID19 distancing and gathering limits. Some commission members said May 13 the lack of accommodations of public input was concerning.

The commission received a number of emails, pro and con, about the demolition proposal and said it would entertain additional written input before the June 10 meeting. The procedures agreed to by the commission will be put in writing available to the applicant, opponents and others before the next meeting.

NANCY BOWMAN,

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Dave Duchak’s concern about first responder emergency radio coverage in the county Courthouse and Safety Building in downtown Troy.

The coverage concerns have been around but intensified following opening of security checkpoints by the sheriff ’s staff this spring.

The board discussed testing done to locate coverage problem areas in both buildings. It found problem areas throughout with the biggest concerns in the basement of the Safety Building and the first floor of the 1880’s Courthouse, said Jeff Busch, director of the center that handles dispatch of police, fire and EMS agencies countywide.

The board agreed to recommend the county commissioners approve a solution that includes a used 800 MHz amplifier and placing three antennae in the two buildings. The cost for this solution was around $10,000. NANCY BOWMAN,

CONTRIBUTING WRITER