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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-31-2025March 31, 2025 5:30 p.m. Paducah City Hall Commission Chambers Attendees: Erna Boykin, Jim Chapman, Brandi Harless, Vice-Chair Patrick Perry, Chairwoman Carol Young Absent: Staff: Joshua P. Sommer, AICP, Planner III Guests: Gwen Keen, Glen Arterburn, Eric & Heather Butterbaugh Chairwoman Young called the called meeting of the Paducah Board of Adjustment to order at 5:30 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag was recited. The roll was taken. Chairwoman Young welcomed Ms. Harless to the Board of Adjustment. Mrs. Boykin offered: I move that the reading of the minutes for February 24, 2025 be waived and that the minutes of said meeting, as prepared by staff, be approved as written. Vice-Chair Perry seconded. Chairwoman Young called for the vote. 4 Ayes (Boykin, Chapman, Perry, Young), 0 Nays *Note – this was Ms. Harless’ first meeting. Continued Petitions New Petitions Case# VAR2025-0002 5116 Cairo Road Variance request of 102.21 square feet for a 104.21 square foot freestanding sign to be installed at the ingress/ egress and a variance request of 92.95 square feet for a 94.95 square foot freestanding sign to be installed over a truck scale at 5116 Cairo Road. Planner III Josh Sommer presented the staff report. He stated this site used to be the former Leroy and Lita’s restaurant and went on to state the sign permitted by right was the interstate sign. However, the BOA can vary the size of incidental signs, which has a base size of two square feet. He stated the site is large, covering 5.45 acres. The sign at the corner of Cairo Road and the ingress/ egress into the site is intending to be utilized as wayfinding signage, which is to assist motorists on Cairo Road. The truck scale sign would be for identification purposes only. Mr. Sommer described the relationship of the Comprehensive Plan to the site, specifically the Goals for Land Use & Community Character and Goals for Economic Development. He then described development happening in the City and the relationship to QwikTrip. Growth around Exit 3 was described. He then stated approval would be in support of subsection (b). Vice-Chair Perry offered: I move that this Board approve the petition of the QuikTrip Corporation for a variance of 102.21 square feet for a 104.21 square foot freestanding sign to be installed at the ingress/ egress point onto Cairo Road and a variance request of 92.95 square feet for a 94.95 square foot freestanding sign to be installed over a truck scale at 5116 Cairo Road. I further move that the variance be approved based on the following findings of fact: The City of Paducah Comprehensive Plan sets forth Goals which speaks to the redevelopment of the site and the economic benefits thereof, incorporated by reference herein. The site is large, consisting of 5.47 acres. The interstate sign is intended to attract motorists off Interstate 24, but does not provide a clear, concise point of entry into the site. The proposed freestanding sign on the corner of the site and Cairo Road provides a clear, concise point of entry. The scale sign is merely intended to identity ownership of the truck scale as opposed to wayfinding or advertising signage. The two signs in question otherwise meet the requirements of the Paducah Zoning Ordinance. In support of KRS 100.243 (b), it is reasonable to have a sign of sufficient size to provide wayfinding and gasoline pricing. The redevelopment of this site may provide a catalyst for under-utilized parcels nearby. New developments such as new hotels and the Sports Park will be mutually beneficial for the site, thereby enhancing Paducah’s overall economy. The character around exit 3 has been changing in recent years with new industrial, commercial and residential construction. It is reasonable to expect any business that fronts Cairo Road to be able to utilize wayfinding signage to get into the site. Mrs. Boykin seconded. Chairwoman Young opened the public hearing and invited the Petitioner to speak. Ms. Gwen Keen, Petitioner, spoke. She stated the reason the truck scale must have the QwikTrip logo is for truck drivers to discern if they can utilize the scale. Certain truck companies require the drives to use different scales. Hearing no further public comment, Chairwoman Young closed the public hearing. No questions were asked. Chairwoman Young called for the vote. 5 Ayes (Boykin, Chapman, Harless, Perry, Young), 0 Nays. Case# VAR2025-0003 4016 Court Avenue Variance request of six feet for a new 1,215 square foot garage/ living space/ shed addition to be constructed two feet from the south property line at 4016 Court Avenue. Planner III Josh Sommer presented the staff report. He stated the home was constructed in 1960. The current garage would be converted into a workspace upon approval of the variance. The two homes to the north, 3950 & 4000 Court Avenue, are both closer than eight feet to the property line. An addition to the home would continue this pattern. The lot to the south is large and vacant. It is being maintained in a park-like state, which would cause the proposed addition to not crowd or encroach another single-family home. Additionally, there are several additions, carports or garages in the vicinity that are much closer than eight feet to the side property lines, including 4007, 4015, 4029, 4035 & 4041 Court Avenue. Mr. Sommer described the relationship of the Comprehensive Plan to the site, specifically the Goals for Housing & Neighborhoods. The proposed addition would match the home, adding value over time. He then described the Board of Commissioner’s priorities that apply, which are the Housing priority and the Quality of Life priority, pursuant to Municipal Order 2863. He then stated the addition is in the most optimal location because the garage would be in an area where vehicles already park and the actual living space would be within the setbacks. Mr. Sommer then described the Fire Prevention Division’s comments regarding fire ratings. He then stated approval would be in support of subsection (b). Additionally, green space would be preserved, which has a positive impact on storm water runoff. Ms. Harless offered: I move that this Board approve the petition of Eric Butterbaugh for a six-foot variance request on the side property line to construct a 1,215 square foot addition two feet from the south property line at 4016 Court Avenue. I further move that the variance be approved based on the following findings of fact: The City of Paducah Comprehensive Plan sets forth a goal to sustain the integrity and value of the area’s [Paducah] oldest established neighborhoods, specifically in the Housing and Neighborhoods element. Housing and Quality of Life are priorities of the Board of Commissioners, pursuant to MO 2863. The two homes to the north are closer than eight feet to their south property lines. The lot to the south is large and vacant. It is being kept in a park-like state, which helps to avoid the appearance of crowding or encroaching on another single-family structure. There are several homes in the immediate area that have additions, garages or carports inside the eight-foot side yard setback. The proposed addition would match the home. The garage portion of the proposed addition would be inside the side yard setback, while the primary living space would meet all setbacks. The garage portion would be located on the portion of the lot where vehicles already park. Green space in the back yard would be preserved, which helps with storm-water runoff. Mrs. Boykin seconded. Chairwoman Young opened the public hearing and invited the Petitioners to speak. Eric & Heather Butterbaugh, Petitioners, spoke. Mr. Butterbaugh stated they would like to maintain the backyard as a place for their children to play. He also stated the addition would be mid-century modern, which would match the house. Mr. Butterbaugh further stated cars are much bigger than they were in 1960, which necessitates a larger garage. Mrs. Butterbaugh stated they have lived in the home 10 years and have a growing family. She stated that the existing garage would be a woodworking space. Mr. Glen Arterburn, power of attorney for the neighbor at 3939 Sunset Avenue, spoke. He stated his mother owns the property next door to the Petitioners. She is opposed to the variance because it could devalue the property. He stated the addition would be too close to the property and felt the eight-foot setback should be met. Vice-Chair Perry asked Mr. Arterburn if the home would be devalued immediately or just upon the sale of the property. Mr. Arterburn stated the property has always been green space. The property would be devalued for anyone who may want to built upon it in the future. Vice-Chair Perry asked if the addition would make the Petitioner’s home approximately the same size as the home on Sunset Avenue. Mr. Arterburn wasn’t sure. Hearing no further public comment, Chairwoman Young closed the public hearing. No further questions were asked. Chairwoman Young called for the vote. 4 Ayes (Boykin, Chapman, Harless, Young), 1 Nays (Perry). After the vote, Mr. Arterburn asked if he could ask a question. Chairwoman Young stated he could. Mr. Arterburn asked why the Board voted for approval. He reiterated he felt approval would devalue the property. Chairwoman Young, Vice-Chair Perry and Mr. Chapman stated they felt the property value would increase. Mr. Arterburn asked what could happen if a variance would be applied for on his mother’s property. Mr. Sommer stated that every petition that comes before the Board is considered on it’s own merit. However, due to the stated existing encroachments into the side yard setback in the neighborhood, it would be very likely the Board would consider those in any future petition. Mr. Arterburn asked what was the basis of the approval. Ms. Harless stated their findings was made on the outlined Findings of Fact. Other Business Adjournment The BOA adjourned at 6:01 pm. Respectfully submitted by Joshua P. Sommer, AICP Approved: ______________________________________ Chairwoman Carol Young