Zoning Proposal Drawing Attention in Ripley County

The amendment would establish overlay districts in portions of Milan, Osgood and Versailles

(Ripley County, Ind.) - In early June, a certified letter was sent to some property owners in areas of Milan, Osgood and Versailles concerning a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance that states in part, “The purpose of this ordinance is to help preserve downtown storefronts, highway corridor properties, and other commercially zoned buildings for business and economic development purposes. Maintaining active commercial spaces on the first floor of the buildings in these areas supports local businesses, encourages investment, and helps strengthen the long-term vitality of our communities.”

The Area Plan Commission of Ripley County is proposing the amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, as part of the Master Plan for Ripley County.

The amendment would establish overlay districts in portions of Milan, Osgood and Versailles that are currently zoned General Business (GB) or Local Business (LB).

The ordinance would prohibit street level and first floor level residential uses in commercial or mixed-use buildings within the overlay areas. Owners of property within the described confines of the legal notice would not be able to rent the first floors for residential living. It notes that it does not impact originally designed single-family dwellings in non-residential zoning districts.

According to the legal notice, existing first-floor residential units within the overlay district may remain residential. However, if such a unit becomes vacant for more than 60 days, it would lose its legal nonconforming status and could no longer be used as a residential unit.

A meeting has been set for July 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the Ripley County Commissioners Room in the courthouse annex in Versailles for those who would like to know more about the proposed ordinance, which will be presented to the Ripley County Area Planning Commission at that time.

Legal notices were published in The Versailles Republican on June 11 from each of the respective towns stating how the ordinance would work.

The proposed amendment has prompted discussion among business owners, residents and landlords, with some expressing concerns about how it could affect property use, housing options and future investment.

Several property owners and business owners also expressed opinions that incentives, such as grants or tax abatements, might encourage commercial redevelopment more effectively than additional land-use restrictions.

Some residents have questioned whether the proposal could reduce housing options for seniors and people with disabilities who prefer first-floor units in walkable downtown areas.

According to the proposed amendment, the intent is to preserve active first-floor commercial space to encourage business activity and long-term economic development. Supporters also note that the proposal would allow existing first-floor residential units to continue as legal nonconforming uses, provided they remain continuously occupied as residential space.

Area Plan Commission Executive Director (Interim), Vicki Taylor, encourages anyone interested to attend the July 7 meeting to hear the presentation and participate in the public hearing. Interested

persons can submit their views in person or in writing to the Area Plan Commission at the meeting on July 7, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Ripley County Annex in Versailles, IN. Written suggestions or objections can also be dropped off before July 7 at the Plan Commission office at the Annex, 102 W. First North St., Versailles IN 47042.

If you are unable to attend in person, the Meetings are broadcast live by going to RipleyCounty.com. Open the Government tab at the top, select Area Planning/Building. Scroll down that page to see the Watch Meetings Live button. Select the APC/BZA video. You do not need a YouTube subscription to watch the meeting.