| Two new members on planning commission |
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| News | |||
| Written by Brandon Steinert | |||
| Friday, 05 February 2010 09:00 | |||
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The constitutionality of the governance of growth areas surrounding Paola and Osawatomie was the primary topic of discussion for the Miami County Planning Commission on Tuesday night. Planning Commissioners Phil Elliott and Hannes Poetter were vocal about their opposition to the development tool. The controversy’s roots are founded in the lack of representation for growth-area residents at the city level. The cities control many of the regulations in their respective growth areas, but growth-area residents do not have a vote on key issues or representation on city councils. The planning commission voted to recommend approval of housekeeping changes to the Miami County comprehensive plan, but tabled the discussion on the growth areas. There were two new faces on the commission Tuesday. Kimberly DeYoung and Nate Apple, who were appointed by the Miami County Commission in January, served at their first meeting as planning commissioners. Apple has served in several capacities in the public sector, including on a park board, in several youth leagues and 14 years on the Louisburg Planning Commission. He’s been a concrete contractor since 1972 and has lived in Miami County his entire life. He said he wants to promote smart growth in the area. DeYoung has spent time with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America and has helped with some Sunday schools. She works as a project manager for Sprint and was a developer of Walnut Creek Estates. She said she wants to promote good, quality growth to sustain the quality of life Miami County residents enjoy.
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