Circleivlle, OH — July 31, 2024 — The Judicial Committee of Circleville has announced an ordinace appointing of new members to the Joint Planning and Zoning Board, a body established under a 2006 annexation agreement with Circleville Township. The appointments, which include Mr. Tipton and Mr. Richie Verito, mark a significant step in operationalizing the board, which had not been active since its inception.
The Joint Planning and Zoning Board was created as part of an annexation agreement between the city and Circleville Township, but it had remained largely inactive until now.
Hannah Wynne Circleville’s Planner explained that with increasing interest from developers looking to annex land within the territory defined by the agreement, the board’s establishment has become essential for overseeing zoning changes and other related matters.
Mayor Blanton explained, “The board should have been set up back in 2006, but it wasn’t until now, with new developments on the horizon, that we need to put this board into action. Any zoning changes or annexation within the territory must be reviewed by this joint board before proceeding to the City Planning Commission or City Council.”
The process for appointing members to the board involved the mayor selecting candidates, which were then approved by the City Council. This approach was advised by legal counsel due to the vague language in the original agreement, which only specified that the city must have two representatives on the board.
The Joint Planning and Zoning Board will consist of five members: two appointed by the city, two from the township, and one from Pickaway County county. This board will be responsible for reviewing all zoning and development issues in the annexed areas of Circleville Township.
The appointments of Mr. Tipton and Mr. Verito were acknowledged with appreciation by the Committee, recognizing their willingness to step forward. The Council expressed confidence that the new members will be instrumental as the city continues to grow and face new development challenges.
The Committee is set to forward the appointments to the August 6 council meeting with a recommendation for adoption.
For more information about the Joint Planning and Zoning Board or upcoming meetings, please contact the City Council office.
