Published: January 23, 2008 08:29 am      

Many concerned about annexation, zoning

Madison County residents showed their concern Tuesday when they gathered at City Hall to hear the first reading of an ordinance that would allow about 184 acres off Willis Branch Road be annexed into the city limits.

The Richmond City Commission is not obligated to take a vote after the first reading of an ordinance. It is the vote taken after the second reading that determines whether or not it will be implemented.

The commission should hear the second reading Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. in City Hall.

A crowd of about 30 attended Tuesday’s meeting to voice their opinions. Nearby residents are concerned about what the land will be zoned if annexed into the city.

Roger Bagby of the Madison County Homeowners Association spoke Tuesday to voice the association’s opinion about the ideal zoning classification.

“We believe that RE (“Residential Estates” zoning classification) keeps in character with existing subdivisions and follows the comprehensive plan,” Bagby said. “High-density housing should not be allowed in this area.”

Bagby is referring to initial rumors that the land would be used for multi-family housing.

“We feel like this will cause a thru traffic problem that we don’t have now,” he said. “It could cause dangerous conditions for joggers, walkers and children.”

Debbie Vescio, vice president of The Woods Homeowners’ Association, also spoke out against the construction of multi-family housing.

“One thing that concerns our homeowners is the devaluation of their property,” she said. “The existing home sales are down 23 percent. It’s a grim picture.”

Vescio also said Kit Carson Elementary School, which serves that area, has about 600 students enrolled, and their capacity is 700.”

Depending on what zoning classification is chosen, there could be as many as 1,100 multi-family dwellings in the 184-acre area.

Mayor Connie Lawson reminded Vescio that no vote would be taken on the first reading and that the ordinance is only concerning the land’s annexation into the city.

The land must first be annexed into the city, then the item will be sent to the Richmond Planning and Zoning Commission for a zoning recommendation.

The first reading of the ordinance was on the agenda for the Jan. 9 commission meeting, but was not heard after Nora Shepherd, an attorney present on behalf of Mike Eaves, who represents Three Lakes Development LLC, requested that the item be tabled.

In other business, the commission:

• Heard the first reading of an ordinance that would accept into city limits Dylan Court, Wesley Court and Greathouse Drive, all located within the Hidden Hills Subdivision.

• Heard the first reading of an ordinance that would annex into the city property located at 292 Jacks Creek Road.

• Heard the first reading of an ordinance that would allow the city to enter into an agreement with the Kentucky League of Cities that would allow the leasing of $300,000 to Richmond’s Bluegrass Recycling Corp. for nearby construction projects.

• Adopted an order authorizing the city to file for a Kentucky Small Community Development Block Grant. The grant, if received, would yield $258,000 to go toward the completion of an all-women’s rehabilitation center being built on Lake Street.

• Agreed submit a grant to the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority to help with the Sub-Zero Wolf project. Grant funds are not to exceed $100,000 and will go to providing the necessary infrastructure for the newest business to come to the city’s Industrial Park on Duncannon Lane.

• Hired Kellie Vaughn Fraze, Brian Dale Hensley, Charles Everett Brandenburg and Kyle Andrew DeCapio as Richmond police officers, pending their acceptance into the basic training course at Eastern Kentucky University.

• Promoted Richmond firefighters Robbie Smith, Tad Cain and Chris Ray to the rank of lieutenant.

• Recognized the resignation of Matt Farthing from the city’s recycling department, and Grover Mullins of the Parks and Recreation Department.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.