Pulaski County Updates Development Ordinances

Pulaski County CourthouseThe Pulaski County Commissioners have taken steps to update its development ordinances.

During Monday night’s meeting, the commissioners considered a Unified Development Ordinance. The measure was recommended by the Pulaski County Plan Commission as a way to clarify certain language and make other measures more consistent.

Pulaski County Commissioner Terry Young says the Unified Development Ordinance cleans up the county’s laws in many areas.

“The only thing I have to comment: if we don’t administer this properly, it’s not worth the paper it’s written on,” says Young.

Pulaski County has been working off a development ordinance from 2011.

Under the plan, Pulaski County would repeal their current zoning ordinances – which encompass planning, wind energy, subdivision control, and definitions to replace it with the updated plan.

Officials with Pulaski County’s economic development entities have cited the ordinance’s potential to help certain businesses expand.

Commissioner Bud Krohn, Jr. says he has a few concerns.

“I’m in favor of it in many ways,” says Krohn, Jr. “But I can look back and see what we have now, and it’s not getting done. So why do we need more paperwork? More laws? When we can’t even get done what we’ve got.”

The Commissioners approved the ordinance on a 2-1 vote with Krohn, Jr. voting against the measure.

The Unified Development Ordinance will take effect on January 1st.