Montgomery County residents attended the Wellsville Board of Aldermen meeting on March 26 to discuss their plans of forming a planning and zoning committee for the Wellsville community.

Susie Keithley and Cory Harlan spoke to the board and talked about going to a training this spring to learn more about planning and zoning. After a 24-minute discussion, the board approved to reimburse the fees to the members of the new planning and zoning group who plan on going to the training.

Alderman Burton Smith advised Keithley and Harlan that they needed to come up with a planning and zoning purpose statement as well as a vision of where they would like to see Wellsville 10 years from now.

“Where we’re looking to go is the important thing,” Smith said. “Planning and zoning has a lot to do with that. But you’ve got to have a vision on where you think Wellsville is going to go and what you’re going to try to do to get there. If you all can get a group together that will work toward one goal or purpose, I have no issues whatsoever.”

Keithley said she has been in touch with Montgomery County Planning and Zoning Administrator Donna Viehmann and Jonesburg City Clerk Marie Schneider, looking for ways to learn about planning and zoning. She was in attendance at a county planning and zoning meeting on March 17 at the Montgomery County Courthouse.

“I just think planning and zoning is important for our community,” Keithley said.

There are seven members in the Wellsville planning and zoning committee. Harlan said since plans are being made to have two large data center developments near the I-70 and Highway 19 interchange in New Florence, he wanted to get more information on planning and zoning.

“We need to be educated in order to do what we need to do,” Harlan said. “With the Mega Site and everything else coming in, we’re going to be put in a position where we have to get things on the books to where it benefits the city, protects the city and protects the citizens. We’re willing to put in the time and the effort.”