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Home My WebLink About06-09-2025June 9, 2025 5:30 p.m. Paducah City Hall Commission Chambers Attendees: Joe Benberry, Trey Griffin, Gayle Kaler, Allan Rhodes, Chairman Bob Wade Absent: Staff: Carol Gault, Planning Director; Joshua P. Fowler-Sommer, Planner III; Palmer Stroup, Planner II; Morgan Dennis, Planner I; Angela Schade, Special Projects; Nancy Upchurch, Executive Secretary; Wes Banks, Intern; Glenn Denton, Legal Counsel Guests: Honorable Commissioner Buz Smith; Honorable Commissioner Raynarldo Henderson, Jeff Parker, Tyler Parker, Mary Thomas, Vanessa Knight, Mike Muscarella, Cheryl Goodwin, Charles Hamilton, James O’Bryan, Javanta Dawson, Dorthea Davis, Amena Watkins, Rhonda McCrory-Smith, Betty Dobson, Audrey Lee, Monica Bryant, Tiffany Gartley, Shalon Jeter, Helen Patterson, Jeffrey Allan 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. Chairman Wade opened the floor for nominations for Vice-Chair. Commissioner Griffin nominated Commissioner Benberry. Commissioner Kaler seconded. Hearing no other nominations, Chairman Wade asked if there was a motion to cease nominations and elect Commissioner Benberry by acclimation. Commissioner Rhodes made the motion to cease nominations and elect Commissioner Benberry by acclimation. Commissioner Griffin seconded. Chairman Wade asked all in favor. 4 Ayes (Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade) Commissioner Griffin offered: I move that the reading of the minutes for April 14, 2025 be waived and that the minutes of said meeting, as prepared by staff, be approved as written. Vice-Chair Benberry seconded. No corrections were requested. Chairman Wade called for the vote. 5 Ayes (Benberry, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays URCDA New Petitions Planning Commission Continued Petitions Planning Commission New Petitions Case # ZON2025-0002 1005 Park Avenue Proposed rezoning from R-3 to B-3. Mr. Fowler-Sommer presented the staff report. He stated the purpose of rezoning was to allow a private storage building for the catering business at 1049 Park Avenue, on the opposite end of the block. He stated this was a transitional area of Paducah, with low density residential to the west and industrial/ commercial uses to the east, all the way to North 6th Street. Since the recommendation to rezone was not in accordance with the Future Land Use Map, the Planning Commission must make additional Findings of Fact, which were described. The Petitioner and staff had met and agreed that additionally, in order to make a recommendation of approval, the front façade would be brick at least half-way up, two trees would be planted in the front yard and the North 10th Street side would have enhanced landscaping. It was further agreed that particular land uses such as automobile uses, dry-cleaners, fireworks tents and medical cannabis would never be permitted on the property. Commissioner Griffin offered: I move that this Commission recommend approval to the Board of Commissioners and adopt a resolution recommending approval thereof of the requested map amendment from R-3 Medium Density Residential Zone to B-3 General Business Zone for property located at 1005 Park Avenue. I further move this Commission adopt the following findings of fact in support of said recommendation: The existing R-3 Zone is inappropriate for this lot. The size and shape of the lot is not conducive to residential land uses. Major changes of an economic, physical or social nature have occurred in the area. The Holiday Inn, Troutt General Store and The Respite were all constructed since the last Comprehensive Plan was adopted. Park Avenue, a major arterial, forms the southern boundary of the site. The site is adjacent to the B-3 Zone on the eastern edge, therefore spot zoning is negated. The site is intended to provide support services to the existing catering business, located on the western end of the same block. The requirements to change the zone classification as outlined in KRS 100.213 (a) and (b) have been met. Park Avenue generates traffic and noise, which is not conducive to residential development. The traffic counts were 4,567 vehicles a day in 2022. Commercial and industrial uses are located directly east and southeast of this site. The western half of the block is zoned B-3 General Business Zone. A nonconforming metal building is located northwest of the site, a testament to the mixed-use nature of how this area developed. This is a transitional area of the City of Paducah, with primarily residential areas to the west of the site and commercial/ industrial uses to the east of the site. The Petitioner has agreed to the following requirements, which is to the benefit of the neighborhood while considering the proximity to the catering business: The new building will have at least a partial brick façade on the south side of the building. At least two new trees will be planted in the front yard. Enhanced landscaping will be placed on the North 10th Street side. The Petitioner has further agreed that no automotive, dry-cleaning, fireworks tents or medical cannabis dispensaries shall be permitted on the lot. Future land uses may include restaurant, retail, office, bank and the like with an approved new or modified site plan. Vice-Chair Benberry seconded. Vice-Chair Benberry offered: I move that this Commission open the Public Hearing for case ZON2025-0002 pertaining to 1005 Park Avenue. Commissioner Rhodes seconded. Chairman Wade called for the vote. 5 Ayes (Benberry, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays Chairman Wade described the procedures of the public hearing to the guests. He stated everyone should have submitted a comment card. All speakers were to come to the podium, state their name & address and were given three minutes. No one spoke for or against the Petition. Hearing no public comment, Chairman Wade asked the motion to close the public hearing be read. Commissioner Rhodes offered: I move that this Commission close the Public Hearing for case ZON2025-0002 pertaining to 1005 Park Avenue. Vice-Chair Benberry seconded. Chairman Wade called for the vote. 5 Ayes (Benberry, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays Chairman Wade asked if any of the Commissioners had any questions or comments. Mr. Fowler-Sommer pointed out that in the motion “appropriate” should be corrected to “inappropriate” on item one. No questions were asked. Chairman Wade called for the vote. 5 Ayes (Benberry, Griffin, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays Southside Redevelopment Plan Southside Redevelopment Plan – Public hearing before the Planning Commission and the URCDA. Chairman Wade explained that both the Planning Commission and the URCDA would hold public hearings on the Southside Redevelopment Plan. Mr. Fowler-Sommer stated the purpose of the public hearings would be to gather comments only. No official action would be taken. Commissioner Kaler offered: I move that the Paducah Planning Commission open the Public Hearing for the Southside Redevelopment Plan. Vice-Chair Benberry seconded. Chairman Wade called for the vote. 5 Ayes (Benberry, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays Planner II Palmer Stroup addressed the Commission. He gave a brief recap of the plan. It is intended to identify a program area specifically for blighted housing. It would list strategies to stabilize and improve said housing. No changes were made to the draft from when it was sent to the Commissioners. Honorable Counsel Glenn Denton asked Mr. Stroup to speak to the notice of the public hearing. It was posted to the City’s website and delivered via mailed notices (1,061 parcels). Chairman Wade then began to call on the participants on the comment cards. Speakers were Mike Muscarella (72 Martin Circle); Cheryl Goodwin (208 South 9th Street); Charles Hamilton (raised on Southside); James O’Bryan (Marshall County); Javanta Dawson (5570 Cox Mill Road Hopkinsville); Dorthea Davis (2856 Washington Street); Amena Watkins (432 North 5th Street); Rhonda McCrory-Smith (90 Buffalo Road New Concord); Betty Dobson (921 Oscar Cross Avenue); Audrey Lee (1527 North 13th Street); Monica Bryant (property owner on 10th and Husbands); Tiffany Gartley (2635 Tennessee Street); Shalon Jeter (Charlotte Ann Drive); Helen Patterson (2065 Steve Drive); Jeffrey Allan (Germantown, Tennessee) Topics spoken about included: The Community Health Needs assessment MeHarry Medical College Smaller homes Take into account a living wage Benchmarking from other communities (Tallahassee, FL) Developer incentives Public art Redevelopment happens for all southside residents Potential historic district Quality houses Inclusion from the community Need a grocery store Concerns about southside neglect Difficult to build affordable housing Consider low-income people in rehabs Vice-Chair Benberry offered: I move that the Paducah Planning Commission close the Public Hearing for the Southside Redevelopment Plan. Commissioner Rhodes seconded. Chairman Wade called for the vote. 5 Ayes (Benberry, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays Commissioner Kaler offered: I move that the URCDA open the Public Hearing for the Southside Redevelopment Plan. Commissioner Griffin seconded. Chairman Wade called for the vote. 5 Ayes (Benberry, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays Commissioner Kaler offered: I move that the URCDA open the Public Hearing for the Southside Redevelopment Plan. Commissioner Griffin seconded. Chairman Wade called for the vote. 5 Ayes (Benberry, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays Commissioner Griffin offered: I move the URCDA to incorporate by reference; as if set out in full, all comments, testimony, documents or evidence presented at the Southside Revitalization Plan hearing before the Paducah Planning Commission, such that each does not have to be repeated at this hearing of the URCDA. Commissioner Kaler seconded. Chairman Wade called for the vote. 5 Ayes (Benberry, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays Commissioner Rhodes offered: I move that the URCDA close the Public Hearing for the Southside Redevelopment Plan. Commissioner Kaler seconded. Chairman Wade called for the vote. 5 Ayes (Benberry, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays Chairman Wade asked Mr. Fowler-Sommer to describe what happens next. He stated the next anticipated action will be at the regular Planning Commission meeting on July 7th at 5:30. The specific action will be a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Kaler offered: I move that we adjourn. Vice-Chair Benberry seconded. Chairman Wade called for the vote. 5 Ayes (Benberry, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays Other Business Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:51 PM. Respectfully submitted by Joshua P. Fowler-Sommer, AICP Approved: ___________________________________________ Bob Wade, Chairman Drafted by: ________________________________________ Joshua P. Fowler-Sommer, Planner III