Published: January 10, 2008 11:45 pm      

Properties around I-75 exits could be rezoned

RICHMOND — The Madison County Planning and Development Department wants to apply the county’s newly created interstate commercial zone UC-4a to properties around Exits 95 and 97 of Interstate 75.

The areas surrounding the exits currently are zoned either UC-4 (Urban Corridor-General Commercial) or UC-7 (Urban Corridor-Agriculture).

In addition to uses permitted by the UC-4 and UC-7 zones, the new classification would allow light, clean industries while excluding outdoor flea markets, said Duane Curry, county planning and development administrator.

A public hearing on the proposed changes will be conducted at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, during the business session of the planning and zoning commission’s meeting at the county courthouse.

The proposal was discussed favorably at the commission’s Tuesday evening work session.

If approved by the planning commission, the proposal would require passage after two readings by the Madison County Fiscal before taking effect.

The new zoning classification would complement the county’s “big box” regulations, which requires large retail structures to maintain an appealing external appearance, he said.

“We want to present a positive image at both of these gateways to Madison County.”

The county would like the new classifications applied before public sewer service becomes available at the two exits later this year.

“We expect economic development around the exits to proceed quickly once sewer service goes on line,” Curry said. The two exits will be desirable business locations because they will serve residents of adjacent Fayette and Clark counties as well as Madison County.

At the Tuesday work session, county planners previewed the development plan for an 80-unit mini-storage business proposed by William Noble and Wanda Singleton for the intersection of US 421/KY 3376 in the Kingston community.

Singleton, a planning commission member, abstained from voting when the commission voted in November to recommend rezoning of the property.

Magistrate William Tudor asked the commission to consider revising the county’s agriculture zone regulations to make a distinction between traditional, low-intensity agricultural operations and high-intensity, industrial-scale operations.

One of Tudor’s constituents on Peggy Flats Road northwest of Berea appeared before the fiscal court earlier Tuesday to voice objections to cattle holding/feeding operation near her home. At times, the operation may receive and then transport 600 or more cattle after holding them for short periods, Curry said. In spite of any inconvenience to surrounding residences, the operation is permissible under current county regulations.

The commissioners asked Curry to place the issue on the agenda for the court’s Feb. 5 work session.

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 267.