Sales tax receipts better this November
Realtors encourage change from 40 acre home sites
Marion real estate agent Charles Kannady told Marion County Commissioners Friday that 40 acres was a ridiculous amount of acreage of a rural home site.
The parcel size of homesteads was one of the main discussion items Friday during a Marion County Commission work session regarding the county's comprehensive plan.
The 87 page plan charts initiatives and policy steps which should be taken when considering rural expansion. That way growth is planned and takes into account the best areas in the county for certain kinds of development.
Commissioners were joined by representatives from the cities of Marion and Hillsboro, two area realtors, and the county's planning and zoning director in their discussion.
"The purpose of this session is for the board to arrive at a unified opinion on what we want to send to the planning commission," Commission Chairman Howard Collett said, setting the tone for the work session.
Kannady told commissioners the plan severely hinders economic growth by requiring 40 acres per household in the agriculture district. The 40 acre requirement is to help keep prime farm ground in production.
But Kannady said most people who want to live in the country are only looking for a couple acres at most.
"Realistically, the majority of people are looking for pasture land or wasteland," Kannady said. "People who come to the country don't want the best farm ground and they don't want to own big pieces of ground. They just don't want to be beside each other. If they did, they'd stay in town."
Kannady said that people wanting to build homes in the country are looking for approximately two acres.
"Two acres at best can be maintained. If there's any more it will end up being a dump," he said.
The real estate agent noted a $125,000 home and lot would generate more tax money than a section of grassland.
Marion County's population has declined in recent decades, the real estate agent said, and home building in the rural areas would stimulate growth.
"New home construction generates the economy," Kannady said. "You're stopping all growth and development (with the 40 acres) of the future."
David Brazil, county planning and zoning director, said areas could be rezoned to rural residential for five acre parcels.
Vincent Nichols, representing The Real Estate Center, said he saw the five acre lots as a means of stimulating growth in the county.
"We should have some type of covenants for people to build on five acres, such as a minimum square footage," Nichols said. "I don't want to bring in substandard houses. We want houses that will be still worth something (that don't depreciate)."
Susan Cooper, City of Marion economic development director, said she was concerned about the three-mile area just outside the city limits, known as the city's s"area of influence." She asked that the city be kept informed about and be involved in any possible development which might occur in that fringe area.
"We're not saying we want control, we just want to be part of any discussion," she said.
"The city's comprehensive plan for our potential growth area includes areas south and east of Marion along the back way to the lake (Marion County Lake)," Cooper explained. "The flood plain makes Marion somewhat landlocked."
Commissioners asked if the city planned to annex the lake. Cooper said no, but heading toward that area is the national progression of growth for the city.
Currently, the city is growing east and north with it's industrial park and business park.
Steve Garrett, Hillsboro City Administrator, said that city was interested in the one-mile radius around its perimeter. He was concerned that county building codes conform to city codes.
"That's a problem we're having with the AMPI building over there. It was in the county and it's not up to city code," Garrett said.
With some leeway into the county area, the city could also address some drainage issues, Garrett said, noting that might be able to alleviate problems in a new housing development.
County commissioners began studying the document late last year, and had several changes they wanted included before sending it back to the county planning commission.
The comprehensive plan is an update of the county's original plan which was completed in 1972, according to Brazil.
Commissioners said they plan to examine the document again during their March 10 meeting.
In other matters:
— Commissioners canvassed ballots from the Feb. 25 primary election. Results were the same, although one provisional ballot was allowed.
Advancing in the race for City of Florence mayor were John E. Lehman, and M. Jeanie Meirowsky. Advancing in the race for Florence city Council Ward 2 are Rick C. Turner, and Beverly S. Baldwin.
In the USD 410 school board member at large position, Roderick W. Koons and Gary L. Andrews will advance to the general election.
The general election is set for April 1.
— Commissioners approved the January payday figure of $577,654.34.
— Commissioners heard from Maggard that current sales tax figures are lagging behind the same time last year. Sales tax received during the month of February was $38,434.90, compared $44,932.97 last year.
— The commission accepted the low transport fuel bid of $11,364.55, and the low area fuel bid of $7,881.78 from Co-op Grain and Supply.
— The commissioners heard a request from Road and Bridge Superintendent Gerald Kelsey to rescind the 45 mph and 50 mph speed limits on the Tampa and Roxbury roads, and set the speed at 55 mph.
Kelsey said the speed limit on the Roxbury Road was set three or four years ago, while the limit on the Tampa Road was set "a long time ago" before he took over superintendent's job.
