 | |
| Home | |
| About Us | |
| 7 Great Reasons to Join! | |
| How Do I Join? | |
| Meeting Dates & Speakers | |
| Village Happenings | |
| The Village Voice | |
| Village Info Center | |
| Preserving Past & Future | |
| Village Links | |
The Silas DoGood Chronicles:
How Your Government Works
HOW YOUR GOVERNMENT WORKS
By Silas DoGood
THE ZIONSVILLE PLAN COMMISSION
Ever wonder what the Zionsville Plan Commission (ZPC) is? If there are issues such as subdividing a lot or rezoning property, for example, chances are you have seen an article in the news involving the ZPC. Here is a quick look at its make-up and function:
What is it? Unlike the larger Boone County Area Plan Commission, the ZPC is advisory in nature. Commission members listen to issues such as rezoning requests for land development (new subdivision, strip mall, etc.), and make recommendations to the Zionsville Town Council. Actually, in these matters they will do one of three things:
- Recommend re-zoning
- Recommend no change
- Make no recommendation
Make-up of the commission: Much of this detail comes from state statutes. A town such as Zionsville must have seven members on the commission. The members are appointed for four-year terms; these are staggered (think of the U.S. Senate) so that everyone’s term does not end in the same year. The commission members elect their own officers - president, vice-president, and secretary - for one-year terms.
How are the members appointed? The Town Council appoints three members who are elected or appointed municipal officials, including one council member. In addition to the council member on the ZPC, the other current "officials" are the Clerk-Treasurer and the Street Commissioner. The remaining four appointees are left to the "municipal executive" - and since Zionsville does not have such an officer (as in "mayor") that duty also falls to the Council, and logically (my guess) to the President. Major considerations would be to find established Zionsville residents with knowledge and interest in the town, experience in community affairs and a desire to serve; but there is also a stipulation that no more than two of the four appointees can be members of the same political party.
When does the ZPC meet? Meetings are generally held on the third Monday of each month at the Town Hall. Meetings are open to the public and are taped.
What is its area of jurisdiction? It may come as a surprise to some that the area of jurisdiction extends only to the corporate limits of the Town of Zionsville. (So what does that mean!?) It means that there are people and property out there in Boone County with Zionsville addresses who aren’t officially in "Zionsville" and who would not be affected by the ZPC.
Do members get paid? These are voluntary positions, not paid ones. Members do get a very small stipend per meeting, mainly to help offset fuel expense that they no doubt incur when investigating property/zoning requests, etc.
Side Notes from Silas: Having lived in Zionsville many years and attended numerous plan commission meetings, it is my opinion that the Plan Commission is a great thing. If you have ever been to a ZPC meeting, you would know that if the commission did not exist, Town Council meetings might go on all night just to hear land use and zoning requests! It is worth noting that the commission members are your peers: dedicated citizens who give unselfishly of their time to serve you. They try to be respectful in dealing with the public, and make an effort to hear the opinions and concerns of the citizens. Knowing how difficult (impossible) it is to please everyone, we are extremely fortunate to have the service of the ZPC members.
