Zoning amendment issue dead

Published 11:28 am Thursday, March 9, 2017

A proposed zoning text amendment which would allow types of health-related facilities on agricultural land is not moving forward.

During a meeting of the Winchester-Clark County Planning Commission Tuesday night, Chairman Larry Disney told a packed meeting room the issue was not moving forward.

“As of right now, it’s dead,” Disney said.

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The issue surfaced in February when the planning commission approved the text amendment 4-3, with Disney breaking the tie. The amendment would have allowed nursing homes and other types of health-related businesses as a special use for property zoned A-1. As a special use, any applications would have to be reviewed by the planning commission.

Planning Director Robert Jeffries said previously the amendment would have established a procedure for approving such projects, where none currently exists. Jeffries said there would be public notice for special use projects within a zone, unlike permitted uses which do not require notice or legislative approval.

Following some public backlash, neither the Winchester Board of Commissioners nor the Clark County Fiscal Court acted on the planning commission’s recommendation.

When the fiscal court requested additional clarification, that effectively killed the amendment, Disney said. The planning commission can’t amend the text of the amendment without going through the public hearing process again, he said.

The issue could come back if there is a request at a later date.

“We have no applications in the process and we heard from no one (Tuesday) night,” Disney said. “The whole issue is negated until further request.”

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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