Officials consider new land use plan
The Auglaize County commissioners are exploring the idea of a comprehensive land use plan to help guide the county’s future. They have heard from area farmers that a comprehensive land use plan would help them score better on ag conservation easement grant but don’t plan to move forward until hearing more from local political subdivisions.
Poggemeyer Design group owner Paul Tecpanecatl on Thursday explained the process and amount of information needed for a plan.
During a discovery phase information would be gathered about the area’s land use and demographics, including wetlands, business districts industrial parks, and housing developments, then commissioners would set goals or create a vision which would be included in the planning stage of the land use plan creation.
Tecpanecatl explained that it sets the legal foundation for zoning. He said townships and cities often follow the county’s plan when updating their own plans.
Zoning could affect business development and residential growth. While the business in the county has grown in recent years, the residential market has struggled to keep up with demand.
“You want zoning otherwise you have a mish-mash of uses that don’t make sense,” Tecpanecatl said.
“The more you plan, the better your community is going to be.”
Zoning currently does not have an impact on renewable energy installations, although if House Bill 118 or Senate Bill 52 becomes law townships would have a larger voice on developments through a referendum.