Friday, September 12, 2008
The Dyer County Regional Planning Commission passed resolutions Thursday allowing historic monuments and advertising signs in forestry, agriculture and recreation zones.
The resolutions also must be approved by the Dyer County Commission before becoming part of the county's zoning regulations.
The resolutions are perceived as potential solutions to two controversial topics: a giant flagpole near Trimble and an alleged case of spot zoning for a Highway 78 billboard.
Under the proposed amendments, anyone who wants to erect a monument or sign must seek special permits from the county's Board of Zoning Appeals.
The flagpole
The Sons of Confederate Veterans erected an 80-foot-tall flagpole near Pierce Cemetery in a forestry, agriculture and recreation (FAR) zone. A 20-by-30-foot Confederate flag now flies high on a hill overlooking Interstate 155.
Last month, Bill Foster of Union City, commander of the 10-county Sons of Confederate Veterans division that established the flagpole, said it is part of a complex "for history, heritage and honor." The SCV plans to place Confederate "mega-flags" along routes across the southern United States.
After the flagpole was erected, a complaint was filed with the Dyer County Board of Zoning Appeals. Historic monuments, such as this, are not permitted in FAR zones. The board declined Aug. 12 to approve a variance for the flagpole, but board members said the SCV could ask the county to amend its zoning regulations.
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