Richland County committee approves rezoning petition for Dayton parcel

The Richland County Zoning and Land Conservation Committee voted to approve a petition to reclassify a 2.27-acre parcel in Section 18 of the town of Dayton, committee members said. The applicant, identified in the meeting as Royce, requested the change to correct the property's zoning category.

The parcel had appeared on county maps as a legal nonconforming lot and did not meet acreage requirements for the Ag-Forestry zoning district, zoning staff said. Dieter, a zoning staff member, told the committee the rezoning request arose when a land use permit application revealed the mismatch.

The change was described by committee members as an administrative correction to align the parcel's zoning with its existing use. Cheryl Dull, chairman for Dayton Township, told the committee the parcel became illegal after Royce's father sold off land after the date of zoning, which made the lot nonconforming.

Committee members also raised a question about the fee charged for the rezoning. Diane (county staff) said she would check office records to confirm whether the applicant had been charged the previous $500 fee, a newer reduced fee, or some combination reflecting earlier payments. No final fee determination was made at the meeting; Kathy (county staff) and other county staff were assigned to verify the amount and records.

A motion to approve the petition was made and seconded; the committee voted in favor and the chair announced the petition approved.

The committee did not take further action on appeals or enforcement associated with the parcel; staff were asked to follow up on the fee question and to make any necessary record adjustments.