Berea City Council approves rezoning in Farristown
Jun. 9—The Berea City Council approved a zoning change for Menelaus Road and discussed parking for Berea Craft Festival at their meeting on Tuesday.
The Berea Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the rezoning of parcels in Farristown — from both A-1 Agricultural and R-1 Single Family Residential, to I-2 Industrial Park. Two thirds of the 87-acre parcel has already been zoned industrial for many years.
The second reading and approval of the rezoning of 1620 Menelaus Road took place following recent comments from residents about their concerns on the rezoning.
Council members Katie Startzman and Teresa Scenters were not present to vote.
Following the recommendation for the zone change in Farristown, Berea City Council hosted a work session to hear from residents.
In the work session, many residents expressed concerns about the rezoning.
Patsy Dunson shared her thoughts on the rezoning with concerns that it will lead to the loss of African-American history.
"Let's save it. Let's not destroy it," Dunson said at the work session. "I'm working steadfastly trying to get some historians involved; find out what kind of federal grant money we can get. It's not going to be an overnight process. It's going to be a long tedious process, but the more I research in the courthouse, I really think we need to definitely save this because if there's a lot of history there. It may not have been told for whatever reason."
"I will say that I really appreciate all of the conversations and the work done in the work session that we had with people who own property in that area and in that community," Council member Steve Caudill said on Tuesday. "I think that we have a really good plan moving forward as we start to design and develop a plan for that area so that we can best utilize the land and also honor the history."
Caudill also said this is a good moment for the city, and can serve as an example of including the community in rezoning.
"I think that as we look to the future, I think that this is an example on the back end of how we should operate as we look to rezone areas, specifically how to think about how it impacts the historical significance of the community, and also just the general livelihood of those who live around these areas," Caudill said.
The council also completed the first reading of the fiscal year 22-23 budget.
"Whereas City Council views such a budget proposal and make necessary modifications. Now therefore be it ordained by the city council the city of Berea as follows section one, the budget for the fiscal period beginning July 1 2000 through June 30 2023 is hereby enacted as follows for all city funds," the ordinance read.
Estimated fund balance on July 1 — $22,930,000
Total Revenue — $17,710,000.
Total expenditures — $23,386,855.
Revenue under expenditures — $5,676,703.
Ending fund balance -$16,416,907
The council also approved a parking agreement for Berea Craft Festival with Rick Terrill. Rick Terrill is Council member Ronnie Terrill's son, so he abstained from voting, but all other council members present voted in favor. Terrill will be paid $1,500 from the city to be able to use his property for parking for three days for the festival.
"I will say for the finding that the scarcity of parking where this is literally the only piece of land that will be available for overflow parking for the Berea Craft Festival," Caudill said. "We appreciate the fact that Rick Terrell allows us to use this property, because it's really improved the situation."
