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Commissioners deny rezoning request for State Route 61 property; applicant urged to consider alternatives
Summary
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners voted to deny Brian Kelly’s application to rezone land on State Route 61 from agricultural to commercial C-2 after recommendations to deny from the county zoning and regional planning commissions.
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners voted to deny an application from Brian Kelly to rezone his property on State Route 61 from agricultural to commercial C-2.
Kelly applied to allow small commercial businesses on the parcel, saying the site’s traffic counts and nearby businesses made it suitable for retail, light service and other uses. He told commissioners he hoped to retain local business dollars and pointed to existing commercial activity along Route 61 as rationale for the change.
The denial followed recommendations from the Morrow County Zoning Commission and the Morrow County Regional Planning Commission, both of which reported that the county’s comprehensive land-use plan does not support commercial zoning that far north on State Route 61. Planning staff also noted potential conflicts with surrounding agricultural uses and cited the county plan and prior commission findings as the basis for the recommendation.
During the hearing Kelly discussed a range of alternatives he might pursue—multifamily housing, agribusiness, or a different commercial zoning category—but commissioners said the zoning commissions’ recommendation carried significant weight. Commissioners said they were sympathetic to Kelly’s desire to encourage local businesses but reiterated that changes should align with the comprehensive land-use plan and available public infrastructure, particularly sewer.
A motion to deny the application passed on roll call with all commissioners voting yes. The board said no formal action to rezone the parcel will be taken and encouraged Kelly to consult planning staff and the zoning commission about other paths, including different zoning categories or development options compatible with existing land-use guidance.
The board did not set a new public hearing date for the property. Planning staff advised Kelly and the board that applications remain subject to state and local procedural requirements, and that applicants may reapply or pursue alternative approvals.
