After public outcry over a proposed zoning ordinance that was set to be discussed by the Washington County Planning Commission at the February 4th meeting, the group has cancelled the meeting “due to the anticipated high attendance and lack of public safety precautions at the Courthouse.”
Plan Commission President and Washington County Commissioner Todd Ewen spoke last Thursday on WSLM’s Coffee Club program and when asked about moving the meeting to a larger venue, said he had no intention of doing that.
The Commission meets at the former Washington Circuit Court room which seats about 50 people. It is not known at this time what the room capacity is.
A meeting was held last night at an auction house in Salem and several hundred residents showed up to discuss the planned 108-page zoning ordinance and how it would affect their use of private land.
Adam Dufour and Chase Stanfill spoke at the meeting Tuesday night and fielded questions from the public to try to bring education and understanding.
Much disinformation has been spread in the community since the document was listed on the plan commission’s website – https://cms7files1.revize.com/washingtonin/Washington%20County%20Zoning%20Ordinance1-12-25.pdf
The document showed up about two weeks ago and after many in the public began posting on social media another document was posted by the plan commission — https://cms7files1.revize.com/washingtonin/Proposed%20Zoning%20Ordinance%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions.pdf
The meeting(s) will now be moved to the Washington County
Justice Center on Tuesday, February 18th, at 6:30pm, with another meeting at the same location two weeks later on Tuesday, March 4th, also at 6:30pm.
It is not known at this time the exact location of the meetings.
WSLM will be live-streaming these meetings for those who cannot attend.
Typically those who attend public meetings are allowed to speak for two minutes if they sign up to do so.
WSLM will be updating this story with additional information.
