Steven Scarce

The Board of Zoning Appeals meeting primarily involved public hearings for various permit requests and variances. Case 5718, seeking a Temporary Use Permit for a short-term rental (B&B) on agricultural zoned land, was approved for a one-year period. Case 5719 was tabled until the following month. Renewals for Temporary Use Permits were approved for Case 5721 (outdoor storage buildings and office space) for two years, Case 5722 (saw mill operation) for two years, Case 5723 (auto repair business) for two years, Case 5724 (short-term rental) for one year, and Case 5726 (short-term rental in a long-term rental property) for one year. Case 5725 requested variances for rear, side, and front setbacks to construct a shed and a replacement garage, which was approved. Case 5727 sought a permit renewal for using existing structures as rental storage space (warehouses), which was approved for two years, with support voiced by a former operator. Case 5728 involved a variance request for a reduced south side setback for a proposed detached structure, which was approved. Finally, Case 5720, which requested a Conditional Use Permit for a recreational pitch and putt golf course, walking trails, and short-term leasing for corporate team-building events, was formally withdrawn by the applicant after significant testimony from concerned neighbors regarding increased traffic, potential liability, and light/noise pollution affecting their privacy and property values.

The agenda for this regular session includes financial considerations such as authorizing payments for Wireless 9-1-1, Sheriff, and JFS expenses, approving fund transfers between various departments, and authorizing expenditures for the purchase of a Honda Odyssey for Children Services and a 2026 Grader and DJI M400 with payload for the Engineer department. Correspondence items include noting the receipt of letters regarding a new hire and a promotion, noting a Sheriff's letter regarding an employee's end of probation, and considering approval for a Group Excess Loss Insurance application. Agreements and Contracts slated for consideration or receipt include an Interlocal Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with HGAC-Buy, and several IV-D service agreements (Legal, Clerking, Magistrate) with the Common Pleas Court and Juvenile Court, along with an amendment to a Legal Services agreement with MMPI Consulting. The agenda also includes numerous travel request approvals and scheduled meetings for Monthly Grant Updates, JFS Monthly Meeting, and Personnel review.

The agenda for the regular session covered several items, including noting receipt of a court entry regarding probate magistrate fees for January 2026. Financial considerations involved approving payments for Children Services, CSEA, and other funds, as well as expenditures for purchasing a recycler/reclaimer for the Engineer department and updating Next Gen 9-1-1 infrastructure fees. Correspondence included noting receipt of the PCSWCD meeting agenda, personnel changes within the Sheriff's office and Clerk of Courts, and considering approval for ending probation and accepting resignations. The Commission planned to issue a proclamation honoring the 100th anniversary of Eaton Community Church and consider appointments to the Preble County LEPC Board and the Preble County Loss Control Committee. Agreements included an addendum to the Liquid Petroleum Agreement and a construction agreement for the West Alexandria Water Transmission Main Phase 1. Travel requests for EMA, Engineer, and Commission staff were also slated for approval.

The key discussion topics for this meeting include the consideration and potential approval of the minutes from the January 15th, 2026 meeting, and the approval of the current agenda. The meeting will address several Zoning Amendment Applications (Cases #1638 through #1642) involving requests for Special Use Provision consideration under Agricultural zoning, reclassification from Planned Highway Service & Agricultural to Highway Service, and reclassification from Special Use Provision to Rural Residential. Other business includes a replat proposal submitted by Pilot Travel Centers, LLC for land recently rezoned to Highway Service.

The meeting agenda primarily focused on Financial Considerations, including noting receipt of an amended Certificate for Establishing Permanent Appropriations for FY26 and considering approvals for Permanent Appropriations (Res. #55-26-214). Several resolutions involved supplementary appropriations for various funds, including Toby Road Construction and Health Insurance, and authorizing payments for Landfill, JFS, Veteran's Services, and Prosecutor expenses. Expenditure authorizations included emergency repairs and equipment purchases for the Preble County Jail and Sheriff's Office, cybersecurity software subscriptions, and membership dues for PCSAO and ODJFS Directors' Association. The agenda also included noting receipt and considering approval of rescinding a new hire letter for the Landfill department, noting receipt of 2025 Annual Reports from the Dog Warden and Microfilm departments, and noting receipt of a letter regarding FY26 Departmental Inventories. Under Agreements and Contracts, the Commission was set to consider approvals for several maintenance and service agreements, including radio maintenance, janitorial services, trash pickup, furnace/HVAC maintenance, software support, and aggregate supply, as well as a clock maintenance renewal. Travel requests for JFS and the Sheriff were listed for consideration.