Council denies rezoning properties

by Erin Senff
THE POST

Several Nelsonville residents angrily marched out of last night's Nelsonville City Council meeting, after Council rejected a plan that would allow a club for mental health patients in Nelsonville.

Council had voted against rezoning part of the city to allow the club, although

the 317 Board had hoped Council would approve the change.

The 317 Board, a division of the Ohio Department of Mental Health, has been working on starting the club to serve its Nelsonville residents. The club would provide Nelsonville mental health clients to learn, socialize and receive job training, said Bill Dunlap, deputy director of the board.

But for their plan to succeed, it required Council to rezone West Washington Street for commercial and multifamily use.

Councilmen Bill McKnight and Tom Steenrod favored the rezoning, while the other councilmen opposed the measure.

However, council amended the city zoning code to allow clubs in multifamily zones with permission from the Nelsonville Board of Zoning Appeals, a group comprised of Nelsonville citizens. It also would allow clubs in commercial zones. Prior to last night, clubs were not included in the zoning code.

But despite Council's veto, the board has not conceded failure.

Earl Cecil, a representative of the 317 Board, said the board plans to look into alternative locations for the facility.

"I want to affirm the board's commitment to find a place in Nelsonville," he said.

With the amendment of the zoning code, the group can now look for property in other parts of Nelsonville that are already zoned for commercial or multifamily use.

But the 317 Board must receive permission from the Nelsonville Board of Zoning Appeals if it wants to locate in a multifamily zone.

The denial of the rezoning of parts of West Washington caused mixed reactions in the standing-room only crowd.

While some residents breathed a sigh of relief, several people wearing stickers favoring the change left the meeting after the vote. Councilmen listened to both sides of the rezoning argument before casting their vote.

Councilman Ralph Davis said he voted against rezoning the properties because many of his constituents disapproved of the club. He also said the zoning code should be enforced consistently without frequent changes.

Davis, who did favor amending the zoning code to address clubs, said the board could find other properties to suit its needs.

Councilman Bill McKnight said he originally was against rezoning, but voted in favor of the measure after the board presented a petition signed by about 125 supportive residents.

"Council is there to vote for the majority of the people," he said.

In other business, Council accepted Reynolds, Inc.'s bid to drill a water well, install two pumps and build bulk storage tanks at the water treatment plant as part of the water upgrade project. The project is estimated to cost $236,477.