On Tuesday, April 28, the Planning Commission met for their monthly meeting.
Three public hearings were held prior to the business meeting. The first was for an 8-foot rear setback variance at 501 S. Hickory to allow for construction of a residential structure. An employee of Stewart Construction offered to take commissioners’ questions, but there were none.
The second was a rezoning request from R-1 (single family) to A-1 (suburban agriculture) at 1380 Bunker Road. One man in attendance asked how it might affect the property because he drives past it daily. He was told there would likely be large animals on the property and he said that was all he needed to know.
The third hearing was a rezone request from C-2 (office commercial) and R-3 (medium-residential) to C-3 (general commercial) at 501 E. Rush Avenue. One woman wanted commissioners to clarify the request and she was told it would be for general commercial use and she was satisfied.
The three public hearings were closed at 1:05 p.m.
The Planning Commission was called into session and Commissioner Blaise Koch moved, with Joel Williams’ second, to approve meeting minutes from the November 25, 2025, commission meeting. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Under the Board of Zoning Adjustment, Chairman Pat Brown introduced the variance request for 510 S. Hickory. Brown said commissioners hadn’t seen any plans and the Stewart
Construction employee said none had been submitted until the variance was approved. Brown also questioned parking and potential grade elevation problems. After further discussion, Jeff Pratt moved to approve the variance. However, there was
no second and the motion failed.
Under the Planning Commission, Brown introduced the rezone request for 1380 Bunker Road. Brown said the property was surrounded on two sides by agriculture zone and two sides by residential. The property in question consisted of 8.05 acres.
Harrison Planning Commission after discussion, Koch moved, with Pratt’s second, to recommend to the City Council to approve the rezone request. The motion carried unanimously.
Brown then introduced the rezone request for 501 E. Rush. Chief Operating Officer Wade Phillips wasn’t present, but Brown said he had talked to Phillips and there were no problems with the rezone. After brief discussion, Pratt moved, with Dean Crouse’s second, to recommend the City Council approve the rezone request. The motion carried unanimously.
Brown then introduced a large-scale development at 567 Harness Street for the Boone County Veterinary Clinic. Brown said there were discrepancies between the architectural and civil engineering plans. Josh Thomason with Butch May
Construction told commissioners the architectural plans were for the structure and the civil plans would be used for drainage and water retention. Brown pointed out that the plans didn’t include sidewalks, which are required by code. Owner Rob
Wilkinson told commissioners that the sidewalks go “nowhere.” Brown asked if that meant he was requesting a variance and Wilkinson said he was. After discussion, Pratt moved, with Crouse’s second, to approve the project with sidewalks. The motion carried unanimously and Thomason said he would request a sidewalk variance at the next commission meeting.
Brown then introduced a request from James and Kimberly Horton for the city to vacate an easement/right of way at 1271 Park Avenue. Surveyor Charlie McCutcheon said the proposed subdivision hadn’t been completely developed and
the right of way actually ended in a house. Mayor Jerry Jackson said it appeared there wasn’t really an easement or alley at the time. Pratt moved, with Koch’s second, to recommend to the City Council that the easement be vacated. The motion carried unanimously.
There was no Old Business so the Planning Commission was adjourned about 1:45 p.m.
Photo: The Commissioners from left are David O'Neal, Drew Vining, Dean Crouse, Chairman Pat Brown, Blaise Koch, Jeff Pratt and council liaison Joel Williams.