HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-05-2024February 5, 2024 5:30 p.m.
Paducah City Hall Commission Chambers
Attendees: Joe Benberry, Trey Griffin, Gayle Kaler, Vice-Chair David Morrison, Allan Rhodes, Chairman Bob Wade
Absent: Micky Carman
Staff: Nic Hutchinson, Director of Planning; Joshua P. Sommer, Planner III
Guests:
Chairman Wade called the regular meeting of the Paducah Planning Commission/ URCDA to order at 5:30 PM.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The roll was taken.
The meeting was turned over to Josh Sommer, Planner III, for the election of officers for 2024. Mr. Sommer opened the floor for nomination for Chair. Commissioner Benberry nominated
Commissioner Wade. Commissioner Kaler seconded. Mr. Sommer asked if there were any other nominations. Hearing none, he asked if there was a motion to close the nominations and elect
Commissioner Wade by acclimation. Commissioner Rhodes made the motion to close the nominations and elect Commissioner Wade by acclimation. Commissioner Kaler seconded. Mr. Sommer
asked all in favor.
5 Ayes (Benberry, Griffin, Kaler, Morrison, Rhodes)
Chairman Wade opened the floor for nominations for Vice-Chair. Commissioner Rhodes nominated Commissioner Morrison. Commissioner Benberry seconded. Chairman Wade asked if there were
any other nominations. Hearing none, he asked if there was a motion to cease nominations and elect Commissioner Morrison by acclimation. Commissioner Rhodes made the motion to cease
nominations and elect Commissioner Morrison by acclimation. Commissioner Kaler seconded. Chairman Wade asked all in favor.
5 Ayes (Benberry, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade)
Commissioner Griffin offered:
I move that the reading of the minutes for December 4, 2023 be waived and that the minutes of said meeting, as prepared by staff, be approved as written.
Commissioner Benberry seconded.
No corrections were requested. Chairman Wade called for the vote.
6 Ayes (Benberry, Griffin, Kaler, Morrison, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays
URCDA New Petitions
Planning Commission Continued Petitions
Case # TXT2023-0002 Section 126-83 Landscape regulations
Proposed text amendment to the landscape code.
Commissioner Rhodes offered:
I move that this Commission remove from the table Case TXT2023-0002 pertaining to the text amendment of 126-83 Landscape regulations of the Paducah Zoning Ordinance.
As a reminder, the motion on the floor is:
I move that this Commission adopt a resolution recommending to the Board of Commissioners that case TXT2023-0002 pertaining to the text amendment of 126-83 Landscape regulations of the
Paducah Zoning Ordinance be adopted.
Vice-Chair Morrison seconded.
Chairman Wade called for the vote.
6 Ayes (Benberry, Griffin, Kaler, Morrison, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays
Mr. Sommer stated text amendment is intended to provide additional protections to woodlands regarding clear-cutting, introduce performance standards for screening and require trees for
new single-family and two-family structures. Mr. Sommer described what would be needed on a Tree Inventory Map. He further described what a Significant Tree is.
Mr. Sommer stated the new standards would apply for new single-family or two-family construction. The trees should be placed not to interfere with utilities, sidewalks or driveways.
He further stated that the current screening standards were arbitrary. He then described what the performance standard would be and when it would apply.
Mr. Sommer stated and described what clear-cutting was defined as. The purpose of the specific section was read. He then described what documentation was needed for development. An
approved tree list is adopted into the ordinance by reference. There are certain times/ situations that trees can be removed.
Mr. Sommer stated Mr. Jonathan Perkins, Chairman of the Tree Board, was instrumental in writing the amendment. He further stated the Engineering Department had a small change.
Vice-Chair Morrison asked if the eight-foot tall fence was standard across the Commonwealth. Mr. Sommer stated that they are typically found in rear yards or in commercial/ industrial
zones. Vice-Chair Morrison asked if some permits were already in place, especially in a particular development. Mr. Sommer stated education would be important. Mr. Morrison asked
if any undue weight would be placed new developments. Mr. Sommer stated that the Tree Inventory Map would become a requirement.
Commissioner Rhodes asked if the text amendment, had it been in place, would have prevented a recent clear cutting of trees. Mr. Sommer stated he believed the developer wasn’t aware
they needed any sort of permits. He further stated if the amendment is adopted by the Board of Commissioners, an education piece would be sent out by the Public Information Officer.
Commissioner Rhodes asked what would happen if a developer didn’t get appropriate approvals. Mr. Nic Hutchison, Planning Director, stated the local design professionals are aware of
other regulatory requirements and likely the Fire Prevention Division would send developers to Planning if permitting for tree removal was overlooked.
Commissioner Morrison stated some economic development entities look for municipalities that are environmentally-minded. He further asked if the Planning Commission would have access
to perhaps Mr. Perkins if help was needed. Mr. Sommer stated he believed Mr. Perkins would be happy to help.
Chairman Wade stated the amendment was tabled seeking Mr. Perkins’ input. Mr. Sommer stated that was correct.
Commissioner Benberry asked if documentation would be required for accessory structures such as garages. Mr. Sommer stated that residential lots under two acres are exempt from the
text amendment. Commissioner Rhodes asked if the lots would have to be combined. Mr. Sommer stated they do not have to be.
Chairman Wade then opened the public hearing.
No one was present to speak at the public hearing.
Hearing no public comment, Chairman Wade closed the public hearing.
No further questions were asked. Chairman Wade called for the vote on the original motion as follows:
I move that this Commission adopt a resolution recommending to the Board of Commissioners that case TXT2023-0002 pertaining to the text amendment of 126-83 Landscape regulations of the
Paducah Zoning Ordinance be adopted.
6 Ayes (Benberry, Griffin, Kaler, Morrison, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays
Planning Commission New Petitions
Other Business
Adjournment
Chairman Wade adjourned the meeting at 5:51 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Joshua P. Sommer, AICP