The DeKalb County Board passed an ordinance Wednesday allowing county planning and zoning director Paul Miller to use his own discretion in granting special use and zone change permits.

Those seeking a special permit may not have to bring their request to the board since Miller now will be able to make the decision.

“Having some flexibility for the ‘odd case’ is extremely valuable,” said board member Rich Osborne, D-5.

Osborne made up the example of a family placing a trailer home on their property for their grandparents to live in.

“This gives the zoning and planning director to use discretion in certain cases, and they don’t have to bring it to the board to change basically a word,” Osborne said.

However, some board members disagreed, saying it is unfair to give one person the ability to make decisions alone.

“If we’re going to be passing laws that are waived by an administrator, then maybe we shouldn’t have passed that law. It’s a bad law,” said board member Dennis Sands, R-1.

Osborne said some board members felt that too much power was being given to one person, but others felt that it was the director’s job to decide.

“In my opinion, he’s in charge of planning and zoning, and we should give him that leverage,” said board member Marlene Allen.

The board also passed an ordinance granting the county authority to find outside consultants for review and administration of activities with zoning actions.

A special use permit was granted to Kingston Township Cemeteries to construct a shed on the cemetery.

Also discussed was the possible resurfacing of Old State Road, Esmond Road and Lindenwood Road during the 2004 budget year.

DeKalb County received a federal fund to assist with the resurfacing.

“We need to focus on the needs of the county and what solution makes sense,” chairman Robert Pritchard said.

At the close of the meeting, board member Joseph Wiegand announced that he wouldn’t run for re-election.

“I would like people in the county to consider the position. I’m available to answer questions,” Wiegand said.