Richland County committee continues review of zoning ordinance, approves rezoning request and tables another petition

The Richland County Land and Water Resources Committee approved a request to rezone a rural parcel and continued work on a broader package of zoning ordinance changes, including short-term rental licensing and enforcement of camping on private property.

The committee approved a petition to rezone a 6.66-acre parcel described in the packet from a legal nonconforming classification to ag-residential so the owners can pursue a future home site and recorded a certified survey map. The approval passed by voice vote during the committee meeting; no roll-call tally was recorded in the minutes.

Committee members said the county packet posted online omitted documents staff had provided. A committee member identified as Miranda said she had submitted the missing materials. Committee members asked staff to follow up with county IT to correct the online packet posting.

The committee tabled a second petition from the applicant listed as Perkins because the applicant lacked a certified survey map and township sign-off. Committee members said the applicant has not completed required preconditions and agreed to return the item to the agenda when those materials are provided.

Members spent most of the meeting reviewing a consolidated draft zoning ordinance. Discussion items included: short-term rental licensing language (committee members said the draft incorrectly used a two-year renewal term in several places and directed staff to change it to a one-year renewal), whether conditional-use review is required for particular uses, minimum floor area figures for accessory units, standards and enforcement for camping and temporary living in campers, and whether conservancy/scenic overlay districts should remain in the ordinance.

Committee members and staff repeatedly distinguished discussion items from final actions. Bob Frank, identified in the meeting as a committee member, pressed staff to confirm a fee schedule and the treatment of conditional-use permits. A staff member said the short-term rental (STR) language had multiple instances still showing “two year” renewal and that she would correct them and circulate the revised draft before executive & finance review. The committee did not adopt the STR ordinance at this meeting and directed staff to circulate a corrected version for review.

The group also discussed the county’s certificate of compliance (a placard issued after land-use review) and whether the title should be changed to clarify it is a land-use placard rather than a building occupancy permit. Staff explained how land-use permits differ from building permits and said the placard helps avoid premature construction by confirming zoning and setback compliance before a structure is placed.

Enforcement and sanitary issues related to campers and temporary structures surfaced repeatedly. Members said timely enforcement is difficult and that sanitation concerns may be better addressed in the sanitary ordinance, which the committee plans to review later. Committee members asked staff to gather additional information and consult county attorneys as needed; no formal policy direction beyond continued review was adopted.

The committee asked staff to circulate a redlined ordinance with the corrections, and to follow up on missing packet items and township/certified-survey documentation for tabled petitions. The draft zoning ordinance will return to the committee for further review.