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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-03-2025September 3, 2025 5:30 p.m. Paducah City Hall Commission Chambers Attendees: Brandi Harless, Vice-Chair Patrick Perry, Chairwoman Carol Young Absent: Erna Boykin, Jim Chapman Staff: Planning Director Carol Gault; Joshua P. Fowler-Sommer, AICP, Planner III; Honorable Counsel Glenn Denton Guests: Sharon Poat, Mark Darnell, three other guests 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. Vice-Chair Perry offered: I move that the reading of the minutes for July 28, 2025 be waived and that the minutes of said meeting, as prepared by staff, be approved as amended. Ms. Harless seconded. Chairwoman Young called for the vote. 3 Ayes (Harless, Perry, Young), 0 Nays Continued Petitions New Petitions Case# VAR2025-0008 1201 Oscar Cross Avenue Variance request from the east property line. Planner III Josh Fowler-Sommer presented the staff report. He stated the Petitioner is requesting a variance of two feet on the east property line for a new single-family home to be constructed four feet from the side property line. This home is known as the “Sweet Marie” style. The lot is nonconforming to the R-3 Zone. It is 35’ X 160’ (5,600 square feet). The prescribed standards are 50’ wide and a total of 8,000 square feet. The home next door is very close, if not on the property line. The Petitioner would like to maintain the six-foot side yard setback from this home to avoid overcrowding. South 12th Street is a stub street with no through traffic. Mr. Fowler-Sommer further stated the variance is supported by the Comprehensive Plan, specifically Goals for Land Use & Community Character and Goals for Housing & Neighborhoods. He stated the Board of Commissioners has made Southside Revitalization, Quality Housing and Quality of Life priories for 2025 and 2026 pursuant to MO 3028. He further stated the Kentucky Housing Corporation has determined that McCracken County needs 3,805 for-sale and rental units to keep up with demand. Hearing no questions from the Board members, Chairwoman Young asked for the public hearing to be opened. Vice-Chair Perry offered: I move that this Board open the Public Hearing for case VAR2025-0008 pertaining to 1201 Oscar Cross Avenue. Ms. Harless seconded. Chairwoman Young asked all in favor? 3 Ayes (Harless, Perry, Young), 0 Nays Chairwoman Young invited the public to speak. Ms. Sharon Poat (Petitioner) spoke. She stated the house plan is 24 feet wide. She reiterated the existing home next door is very close to the property line and wishes to maintain the six feet side yard. Ms. Poat also stated there is no traffic on South 12th Street. Mr. Mark Darnell (1205 Oscar Cross Avenue) spoke. He asked if the windows could be off-set to keep from being in-line with the windows on the existing home. He also stated an autistic child lived next door and had concerns about construction times. He did say that after speaking with Ms. Poat, his concerns were alleviated. Ms. Poat is going to drop by the home and discuss the plans with them. Vice-Chair Perry and Mr. Darnell discussed the autistic child next door. It was determined the child would be in school during the day. Hearing no further public comment, Chairwoman Young asked the public hearing to be closed. Ms. Harless offered: I move that this Board close the Public Hearing for case VAR2025-0008 pertaining to 1201 Oscar Cross Avenue. Vice-Chair Perry seconded. Chairwoman Young asked all in favor? 3 Ayes (Harless, Perry, Young), 0 Nays Ms. Harless offered: I move that this Board approve the petition of Paducah Alliance of Neighbors for a two-foot variance request on the east property line to construct a new single-family home four feet from the side property line at 1201 Oscar Cross Avenue. I further move that the variance be approved based on the following findings of fact: The City of Paducah Comprehensive Plan sets forth an overarching planning theme throughout the Plan to increase quantity and variety of housing options. Goal 2 of Land Use and Community Character states: A land use allocation and pattern that advances the area’s key objectives of achieving greater housing supply and variety and supporting its economic development and tax base needs. Goal 1 of Housing and Neighborhoods states: A quantity and diversity of housing options that makes living in Paducah and McCracken County attainable and inviting for a wide range of age groups and income levels, including those critical to the area’s economic success. The Southside Revitalization, Quality Housing and Quality of Life are priorities of the Board of Commissioners, pursuant to MO 3028. The adjacent South 12th Street is not a through-street, meaning there is no residential traffic on this street. The home next door to the west is very close to, if not upon, the common property line. It is reasonable for the Petitioner to maintain the six-foot side yard setback on the west, thereby requesting a variance on the east side. The Sweet Marie style home is a cottage bungalow, which fits with the fabric of the neighborhood. This development would boost the supply and demand of housing in McCracken County. The current number of for-sale and rental units needed in McCracken County needed is 3,805 according to the Kentucky Housing Corporation. The variance for the new home is supported in the Southside Revitalization Plan, specifically by the Plan Objectives for Community Renewal. The new home would help to contribute to the recreation of the former street wall along Oscar Cross Avenue. The variance would help to maintain a more spacious site which contributes to green space and less storm water runoff. The lot is nonconforming to the performance standards of the R-3 Medium Density Residential Zone, specifically to lot width and size. The lot is 35’ wide and has a total area of 5,600 square feet. The Petitioner wishes to construct a home larger than the minimum size of 560 square feet, which contributes to neighborhood stability and fabric. Vice-Chair Perry seconded. No questions were asked. Chairwoman Young called for the vote. 3 Ayes (Harless, Perry, Young), 0 Nays Other Business Adjournment The BOA adjourned at 5:43 pm. Approved: ______________________________________ Chairwoman Carol Young Drafted by: _______________________________________ Joshua P. Fowler-Sommer, Planner III