OTTAWA – The Franklin County Commission has scheduled a rare evening session for January 23 to discuss its deal with the city of Ottawa allowing the city to rezone that part of the county next to the city limits called the urban growth area. County commissioners said they continue to hear complaints from county residents in the area, and aren’t sure they’re benefiting from the deal. “I haven’t heard anyone who’s said they want it,” Commissioner Steve Harris said. Commission chair Ed Taylor said he voted for the deal but now believes he made a mistake in doing so. They received a complaint Wednesday came from Butch Riddle who told them he’s now part of that urban growth area but he doesn’t want to deal with city zoning regulations and has no recourse because lives outside of the city limits and can’t vote out city commissioners. He asked county commissioners to write a letter objecting to the city’s plan to rezone his property according to city categories. He said the deal is violating his constitutional rights and that he’ll sue to stop the rezoning of his property.
Friday, Dec. 23, 11 a.m.
