The Village of Bluffton council meeting of September 13, 2021 included an historical gift to the village, proposed parking restrictions on a section of Lawn Avenue, sponsor naming rights for village park features, updated preliminary plans for the proposed Chestnut Lane subdivision, town hall clock repairs, and commendations for Office Eric Rayle.

A full Council Packet is below.

The meeting began with the presentation of a 13-star American flag believed to be made in Bluffton in the 1850s. Descendants of Margaret Jane Hammond Patterson and James Patterson, Bluffton’s 13th mayor, provided a history of the family and the pre-Civil War flag.

Residents of S. Lawn Avenue commented on the proposed removal of parking from the southeasterly side of the street from W. College Ave. to Grove St. They provided individual experiences and concerns about the proposed change.

Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn reported on the Sept. 6 Planning Commission working meeting to review preliminary plans for the proposed Planned Unit Development (PUD) adjacent to Sunset Dr. He noted that the preliminary plans presented have significantly changed. A Public hearing on the matter is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on September 27, 2021.

Special event permits were approved for Campus Life “Fallout/5th Quarter” on September 24 and Bluffton High School Homecoming Parade on October 15.

Police Chief Ryan Burkholder presented a report including a new pedestrian and bicycle safety brochure and August commendations awarded to Officer Eric Rayle for deterring storage unit break-ins and identifying possible suspects in a catalytic converter theft case.