Preble County zoning board forwards Venable land‑split request to commissioners

The Preble County Rural Zoning Commission on Feb. 3 voted unanimously to forward Case 1637 to the County Commissioners, sending a proposal to split and reclassify a 6.446‑acre parcel on Camden Road in Gasper Township for further review.

Brad Kramer, Zoning Director, read the application into the record: Stephen A. Pope, P.S., is the applicant’s agent for Larry E. and Angelia A. Venable, seeking to designate approximately 4.380 acres under the Special Use Provision and reclassify 2.066 acres to Restricted Rural Residential (6.446 acres total), with about 634.8 feet of frontage along the east side of Camden Road and roughly 705.61 feet south of Antioch Road. "Matt and his wife would like to someday build a new home on Tract 2," Pope said, describing Tract 2 as the roughly 4.5‑acre parcel that includes an existing pond; Tract 1 would remain with the parents’ residence and be reclassified to Restricted Rural Residential.

Commissioner John Toschlog asked for clarification about differences between the Special Use and Residential classifications. Kramer explained that the Special Use designation allows certain agricultural activities and the keeping of pleasure or 4‑H livestock on smaller parcels (generally over 3 acres), while the Restricted Rural Residential classification would not ordinarily permit such animals without a separate Temporary Use Permit. Wm. Clark Brown praised the driveway placement on the site: "I like where they put the driveway, they put it at the top of the hill," he said.

Applicant Matt Venable, who identified himself for the record and said he grew up in the area, told the commission the family negotiated to buy additional acreage from Alamo Solar to create a buffer around the property; he confirmed the driveway permit has been obtained. "I grew up in this area," Venable said, adding that he and his wife hope to relocate to the parcel in the future.

With a preceding 6–0 recommendation from the Planning Commission, Commissioner Dan Hays moved to accept Case 1637 under Sections 801, 804 and 1103.01, Items B–I; the motion, seconded by Wm. Clark Brown, passed by roll call, 4–0. Kramer announced the County Commissioners' hearing on the case will be March 4 at 9:30 a.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers. The zoning commission took no further action; the case was forwarded for the commissioners' decision.