Butler County Planning Commission reviews draft comprehensive plan; sets Aug. 19 follow-up

The Butler County Planning Commission met July 22 in David City to continue reviewing a draft Comprehensive Plan prepared by Hanna:Keelan. Chairman Roger Topil presided; planning consultant Keith Carl and consultant Tim Keelan attended to explain proposed edits and answer member questions. Members approved last meeting’s minutes before beginning the substantive review.

The meeting focused on precise wording and on whether the comp plan should explicitly direct county zoning. Will Reiter suggested adding a clear link between the plan and zoning: “The zoning regulations shall implement the goals, policies, and Future Land Use Plan established by this Comprehensive Plan,” he said, and Topil stated he wanted that sentence included despite split opinions among commissioners. Other edits discussed included simplifying the plan’s introductory language, removing references to counties that only touch Butler County at a corner, and moving some technical material (soil-type tables) to an appendix to shorten the main document.

Consultants said they will circulate a revised draft well before the next meeting. Carl said he hopes the commission will be ready on Aug. 19, 2026, to approve a draft and set a date for a public hearing; Topil asked that members receive the packet early to allow careful review.

At the outset of the meeting, commissioner John Kobza raised a concern that remarks made by consultant Tim Keelan during the June 17 meeting were not reflected in the minutes; members could not recall exact wording and the minutes were not amended. The commission then approved the minutes (motion by Will Reiter; second by Steve Barlean; unanimous).