Hamilton County planning staff presented a zoning revision at the Sept. 17 Board of Commissioners meeting seeking to modify a 2002 condition that required structures be set back 30 feet from a particular access easement so that Mike’s Car Wash may construct an employee canopy 10 feet from that easement.

John Huth of the Planning and Development Department told the commissioners the canopy would sit behind the building and would not be visible from Harrison Avenue. He said the canopy location is separated from a nearby apartment complex by higher ground and a strip of woods and that county staff, the regional planning commission and the rural zoning commission found the request consistent with the Green Township land use plan, the thoroughfare plan and the county zoning resolution. Green Township trustees submitted a letter recommending approval, Huth said. No public opposition was reported.

Why it matters: The requested modification reduces the required setback by 20 feet from the condition applied at the time of a 2002 zone change. Changes to setback conditions can affect access, visibility and the relationship of commercial sites to neighboring properties.

After the staff presentation, Commissioners expressed support; Commissioner Alicia Rees said she has used the car wash and described the work as physically demanding for employees. The hearing was closed by motion and the county requested a resolution from the planning office to reflect the requested change; commissioners voted to close the hearing and to direct staff to prepare the resolution.

What the county said: Huth recommended approval and noted no objections were filed by surrounding property owners. He said the canopy would be approximately 10 feet from the edge of the access easement rather than the prior 30 feet.

Formal action at the meeting: The board made and seconded a motion to close the public hearing and requested a resolution from the Planning and Development Department; the motion carried on recorded votes (commissioners voting in favor during roll call). The board did not vote on a final zone‑change resolution at the Sept. 17 meeting—staff will prepare the resolution for a future board action.