Richmond Commission discuss proposed zoning changes

Sep. 29—Blake Vickers

During their final meeting of September, the Richmond City Commission discussed several proposed zoning changes and other items.

As part of a joint proclamation with the Berea City Council and the Madison County Fiscal Court, Hope's Wings executive director Jennifer Lainhart came before the commission as part of proclamation declaring October Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

"Unfortunately, we still need to have an awareness month... I hate that. I wish we didn't. I wish that this was a month that we could just enjoy fall weather, but we do have to raise awareness," Lainhart said. "In the state of Kentucky this year, the deaths of people because of domestic violence has grown. We're fortunate that we didn't have any in Madison County this year. We had two last year."

In the second reading of ordinance 22-33, the commission unanimously voted to change the zoning classification for property within the Southern Hills Subdivision.

City Manager Rob Minerich broke down the ordinance for the commission during the Sept. 12 meeting.

"What this actually does is it protects the existing zoning and residential areas," he said.

In the first reading of ordinance 22-34, the commission voted to amend the 2021-2022 annual budget due to unexpected revenue from the Kentucky Department of Local Government for the Liberty Place Program. It increased the annual budget's community development block grant (CDBG) funds by $200,000. According to the ordinance, $190,000 of those unexpected funds will go to public services while the remaining $10,000 will go to administration.

The commission made the first move to amend the city's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the 2023 fiscal year budget in the first reading of ordinance 22-35. The estimated balance of the ARPA fund budget for fiscal year 2023 is now $8,150,000. Appropriations for COVID-19 quarantine pay was $150,000. Total appropriations were $4,353,211.

Several proposed zoning ordinances came forward to the commission during the meeting.

The first was ordinance 22-36. Property owners Billy and Patricia Wilson hoped to change the zoning classification at 1506 East Irvine Street from central business B3 to multifamily apartments R3. Planning and Zoning held a public hearing for the requested change in August and determined to recommend the zone change to the commission.

Initially, the property had been a commercial building with apartments upstairs, the owners hoped to adjust the zoning so that apartments could be installed downstairs as well. The first reading was passed by the commission.

Next up, ordinance 22-37 requested that a property at 408 Michelle Court change its zoning classification from family duplex R2 to central business B3. The Planning and Zoning committee voted to recommend the city commission grant that zone change as well.

The property is currently serving as a daycare center for children on the autism spectrum, as it has been for sometime do to the use of a conditional use permit. The zone change request comes as the property owner hopes to move to a more accurate zoning description and also to be able to get more adequate parking.

Commissioner Krystin Arnold asked what the property owner's long term planning was for the proposed zoning change.

According to a representative, the property owner would also like to take up the opportunity to buy a Kentucky Farm Bureau building for sale behind their facility for the potential to expand in the future. The zone change would be required for this action.

Ordinance 22-38, the first reading of a requested zone change for property at 2209 Lexington Road from was tabled to the Oct. 25 city commission meeting as the applicant is currently out of the country. Arnold asked that residents in the surrounding area be notified that the dates on the ordinance be changed.

Ordinance 22-39, a zoning ordinance for a property on Berea Road was not read, as the request was pulled.

The first reading of Ordinance 22-40 seeks to amend the uses of single family residential districts. The Planning and Zoning commission found that single family residential zones within reasonable proximity to the historical district allow a conditional use of legal services, accounting services, and design professional services in R1A, R1B, and R1C zones.

In this case, the owners of the historic A.R. Burnham house run an elder law firm and would like to operate their practice out of the home.

The purpose of the proposed amendment would be to allow the historic homes near downtown Richmond to have another purpose other than just residential.

Minerich mentioned the city allows a professional permit that can be applied to homes like the Burnham House that allows for 25% of the structures to be used as professional services. Minerich also noted the use of a gravel driveway at the residence by employees of the law firm had caused backlash in the city.

The amendment would allow the applicant to ask permission from the board of adjustments to make the changes, as per state law, the board of adjustments can establish conditions on conditional use permits.

Order 22-108: An Order of the City of Richmond, Kentucky regarding an anti-displacement and relocation assistance plan as required under Section 104(D) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as Amended, was passed by the commission.

Two park security officers (one part time and one full time) were hired for the Richmond Police Department. Minerich noted that both positions were fully budgeted. Richmond Police Chief Rodney Richardson said the hiring comes after someone broke into the snack bar at the police department.

"That's already been resolved. The parties ate all the candy already so we couldn't get it back, but they did have to answer for that," Richardson quipped.

The city commission accepted the resignation of Police Detective and Master Police Officer Robert Hess, who has been with the department since 2016. Richardson noted that Hess would be missed at the department.

A longtime city fireman has also retired. Firefighter II William Nick Olds' retirement was accepted by the commission. It comes after 20 years of service to the city.

Public Works Director Stacy Curtis also retired. He has served the city since 1998. The commission, Minerich, and city clerk Lisa Cassity all lamented Curtis' departure and noted they would deeply miss him. Minerich said Curtis is "truly the epitome of a public servant."

A new job description was also made by the commission. The position is for a public information officer and community development coordinator for the administration department, pay grade 5. The description change comes after the departing of previous public information officer and community development coordinator Tyler Johnson, who also had several IT duties in his job description.

Minerich said the new description was modeled after several other public information officer job positions and that the position would be posted online following the commission meeting.

Danielle Childress was hired as a secretary for Section Eight at pay grade one. She is an at-will employee.

The commission accepted a bid on a new pumper truck for the city fire department. The $841,500 vehicle will go to Fire Station 4, it is currently in production. According to Minerich, many of the current pumper trucks used by the city are older 2008 models that are frequently being rotated in and out of maintenance.

A demolition was accepted by the commission in order 22-118. A structure on 219 West Blair Avenue will be torn down. A lien has been placed on the property owner for the cost of destruction ($17,000) plus the clean up cost. The city received numerous complaints about the property. The Codes Enforcement Department also attempted to have the owner get the property into compliance.

Lastly in order 22-119, a bid from the Alan Company for $43,566.50 to pave South Estill Avenue and Heath Street. The funding comes from left over money from the city municipal growth fund.