Published: April 24, 2008 07:58 am      

Planning ordinance changes going to city commission

No objections to proposed changes in the Richmond development ordinance were voiced at a public hearing Wednesday evening.

The ordinance governs land-use zones and development plans.

The main changes would:

• Eliminate the R-4 (Mixed Residential) zone

• Allow bed and breakfast businesses as conditional uses in residential zones

• Base commercial plat fees on acreage instead of number of lots

• Increase requirements to prevent erosion into streams.

Doug Bagby, president of the Deacon Hills Homeowners’ Association, asked if an alternative mixed-use residential zone would replace R-4.

No replace is under consideration, said Planning Director Mike Roberts. The only other mixed-use category in the development ordinance is Planned Unit Development (PUD), which must be at lease 30 acres, he said.

On behalf of his organization, Bagby objected last fall to a request for creation of an R-4 zone on land between Deacon Hills and Willis Branch Road that a developer sought to have annexed into the city.

To take effect, the changes must be passed on two readings by the city commission.

The Richmond Save-A-Lot hopes to be in a new location off the Robert R. Martin Bypass by the end of the year.

A development plan for the grocery store was one of five approved at the Wednesday meeting.

The Save-A-Lot plan calls for a 17,600-square-foot building with 103 parking spaces on Atwood Drive opposite Cole Parke Boulevard.

The store, formerly known as Thornberry’s Super Valu, has been located in the Richmond Plaza Shopping Center since 1969, said owner Larry Thornberry.

From 1944 to 1969, the business was located on Water Street. Its first Richmond location was on Main Street.

Thornberry’s daughters, Diana Flynn and Debbie McIntosh, are the family’s fourth generation to operate the grocery. Their children represent the fifth generation to work in the business founded in 1935 by Charles V. Thornberry.

“We hope our grandfather, Glenn Thornberry, who turned 99 in March, can be on hand when we open the new store,” Flynn said.

Development plans also were approved for:

• Sub-zero/Wolf, a manufacturing plant, in the Richmond Industrial Park-South (Phase II) on Fortune Drive off Duncannon Lane.

The Wisconsin-based manufacturer of luxury kitchen appliances announced earlier this month that opening of the plant, in which it will make dishwashers, would be delayed 18 months. The plan will remain valid for 12 months and can be extended for another six months, Roberts said.

• The commercial portion of Heritage Place on Barnes Mill Road, opposite the Richmond Centre development.

The plan calls for two buildings on the east side of the property, a 13,500-square-foot and an 8,100-square-foot structure. Developer Robert Locker said only the larger building would be constructed initially.

Roberts said Locker had taken action to stop erosion from the site caused by heavy spring rains.

• Barger Masonry Construction, which plans to move its operations from Berea to the Richmond Industrial Park-South (Phase II).

• Richmond Fire Station No. 2, located at the corner of Professional Drive and Forbes Court off the Martin Bypass.

The final plat for Tract 10 of Persimmon Trace@Golden Leaf off Duncannon Lane was approved. It calls for 70, quarter-acre residential lots on the 30-acre tract.

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