HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-12-2026 (No January meeting)
MINUTES OF THE PADUCAH PLANNING COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 12, 2026 5:30 P.M.
Paducah City Hall Commission Chambers
Attendees: Vice-Chair Joe Benberry, Jim Chapman, Trey Griffin, Gayle Kaler, Allan Rhodes,
Chairman Bob Wade
Absent: Leslie Heath
Staff: Carol Gault, Planning Director; Honorable Counsel Glenn Denton; Joshua P. Fowler-
Sommer, Planner III
Guests: Kyle Joiner, Ian McComas, Richard Taylor, Mae Polcynski,
Chairman Wade called the called meeting of the Paducah Planning Commission to order at 5:30 PM.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The roll was taken.
The meeting was turned over to Josh Fowler-Sommer, Planner III, for the election of officers for 2026.
Mr. Fowler-Sommer opened the floor for nomination for Chair. Commissioner Benberry nominated
Commissioner Wade. Commissioner Griffin seconded. Commissioner Rhodes made a motion to close
nominations. Hearing no other nominations, Mr. Fowler-Sommer asked if there was a motion to close the
nominations and elect Commissioner Wade by acclimation. Commissioner Kaler made the motion to
close the nominations and elect Commissioner Wade by acclimation. Commissioner Chapman seconded.
Mr. Fowler-Sommer asked all in favor.
5 Ayes (Benberry, Chapman, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes)
Chairman Wade opened the floor for nominations for Vice-Chair. Commissioner Rhodes nominated
Commissioner Benberry. Commissioner Griffin 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
Benberry by acclimation. Commissioner Rhodes made the motion to cease nominations and elect
Commissioner Benberry by acclimation. Commissioner Kaler seconded. Chairman Wade asked all in
favor.
5 Ayes (Chapman, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade)
Commissioner Kaler offered:
I move that the reading of the minutes for November 3, 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.
6 Ayes (Benberry, Chapman, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays
Planning Commission Continued Petitions
Planning Commission New Petitions
MINUTES OF THE PADUCAH PLANNING COMMISSION/ URCDA – continued page 2 / 4
Case # PLT2026-0001 1501 Broadway
Mr. Fowler-Sommer presented the staff report. He stated the intent of the preliminary plat is to show
where 12 single-family lots would be located. The new homes would face the interior of the lot. A central
fire pit or pavilion would be a central feature.
Six of the lots are in the R-1 Zone. Mr. Fowler-Sommer described that the lots are smaller than normally
permitted in the R-1 Zone, but have been approved via agreement with the Developer. The smaller lots
can be effectuated via KRS 100.361 (2). The items needed on the final plat is the official name of the
subdivision and perhaps a storm water easement. The Engineering Department will know if a storm water
easement is needed upon receipt and review of the construction drawings.
Commissioner Chapman offered:
I move that this Board open the Public Hearing for case PLT2026-0001 pertaining to 1501 Broadway.
Commissioner Kaler seconded.
Chairman Wade asked all in favor?
6 Ayes (Benberry, Chapman, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays
Chairman Wade invited the public to speak.
Mr. Ian McComas, 1415 Jefferson Street, spoke. He stated he thought the homes would be beneficial but
the designs did not meet the aesthetics of the neighborhood. He requested the homes to face Jefferson
Street.
Mr. Richard Taylor, 1501 Jefferson Street, spoke. He was provided a copy of the conceptual drawings.
He reiterated the houses should face Jefferson Street. He asked if the houses would be built by the same
builder. Mr. Fowler-Sommer stated that was his understanding. Mr. Taylor asked if the houses would
look the same. Mr. Fowler-Sommer stated they would not, based on conceptual renderings. Mr. Taylor
stated his most pressing concern was the houses not facing Jefferson Street.
Mrs. Mae Polcynski, 1419 Jefferson Street, spoke. She was happy about the price point. She reiterated
she felt the houses should face Jefferson Street and hopes construction was not drug out.
Carol Gault, Planning Director, spoke. She stated the City only received two proposals. The three
acreages was a limiting factor in why the houses faced inward. There will be a brick fence to help with
aesthetics as well. Mr. Taylor asked if the houses could be redesigned. Mrs. Gault stated that could be a
request to the developer.
Mr. Thomas Blakley, 1417 Jefferson Street, spoke. He suggested cutting the number of houses to ten. He
asked if the City owns the property. Mr. Fowler-Sommer stated that was correct.
Mr. Ian McComas spoke. He asked how the development agreement would work and if an injunction
could be filed. Honorable Counsel Glenn Denton stated that was correct - the City owns the property and
the plan is preliminary. A development agreement has been drafted but has not been signed.
Mrs. Laura Beth Eck, owner of Patrick Furniture, spoke. She asked what the renderings of the back of
the houses look like. Mrs. Gault stated a greenscreen has been requested to obscure the backs of the
houses. Overall, she is excited about the development.
Discussion was made to address some apparent confusion. Mr. Fowler-Sommer stated the side of the
homes would face Jefferson Street and Broadway.
MINUTES OF THE PADUCAH PLANNING COMMISSION/ URCDA – continued page 3 / 4
Mrs. Sue Tharpe, who lives on Jefferson Street, spoke. She spoke about the Christmas Trail and Dogwood
Trail. She felt the houses should be faced to Jefferson Street.
Mr. Kyle Joiner, Petitioner’s professional representative, spoke. He stated the site is not a perfect square.
Discussion was made about the difference in zoning. Access was a concern, which led to the current
design.
Mr. Richard Taylor spoke. He asked if the part of the lot that was zoned commercial would be rezoned
to residential. Mr. Fowler-Sommer stated it would not due to the pyramidal zoning scheme Paducah uses
which allows residential in commercial zones. Mr. Taylor discussed alleys being ran between the houses.
Mr. Joiner stated he did not think an alley exists on the site.
Mrs. Bonnie Martin, 1744 Jefferson Street, spoke. She spoke to the soil of the area. She felt front porches
were important and the houses should face Jefferson Street.
Mr. McComas spoke. He discussed making the main access by the side of the property with one alleyway.
Hearing no further public comment, Chairman Wade asked the motion to close the public hearing be read.
Commissioner Chapman offered:
I move that this Board close the Public Hearing for case PLT2026-0001 pertaining to 1501 Broadway.
Vice-Chair Benberry seconded.
Chairman Wade asked all in favor?
6 Ayes (Benberry, Chapman, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays
Vice-Chair Benberry offered:
I move that the preliminary subdivision plat for 1501 Broadway be approved and that the matter be
continued generally, pending submission of a final plat incorporating all requirements made known to the
Petitioner at the conclusion of the hearing.
Commissioner Chapman seconded.
Chairman Wade explained that the vote moved the proposal forward.
Commissioner Kaler discussed the previous views from the front and back of the Katterjohn building.
Vice-Chair Benberry stated he thought this was a development the City could be proud of and the
resident’s concerns have been heard.
Hearing no further questions or comments, Chairman Wade called for the vote.
6 Ayes (Benberry, Chapman, Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Wade), 0 Nays
Other Business
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Joshua P. Fowler-Sommer, AICP
MINUTES OF THE PADUCAH PLANNING COMMISSION/ URCDA – continued page 4 / 4
Approved:
___________________________________________
Bob Wade, Chairman
Drafted by:
________________________________________
Joshua P. Fowler-Sommer, Planner III