Paducah planning panel recommends rezoning 1005 Park Avenue to B-3 to serve catering business

The Paducah Planning Commission on June 9 voted to recommend that the McCracken County Board of Commissioners approve a map amendment changing 1005 Park Avenue from R-3 medium-density residential to B-3 general business to allow a private storage building to support a catering business at 1049 Park Avenue.

Staff told the commission the lot contains about 10,293 square feet, touches existing B-3 zoning on its eastern edge and is surrounded by commercial and industrial buildings on multiple sides. “The property is proposed to be utilized for a private storage building for the catering business on the opposite end of the block at 1049 Park Avenue,” Mister Summers, a city staff member, told the commission.

Why it matters: Staff said the parcel is not in conformance with the city’s comprehensive plan, so the commission must make additional findings under KRS 100.213 to support a zoning change. Staff and the petitioner agreed on several performance standards intended to reduce neighborhood impacts if the map amendment is approved.

Key details and conditions: The commission-recorded findings cited traffic and noise on Park Avenue (staff reported traffic counts of 4,567 vehicles per day in 2022), the lot’s shape and lack of alley access, and adjacent commercial uses as reasons R-3 is inappropriate for this site. As part of the proposal the petitioner agreed to require, at minimum, a partial brick façade on the south (Park Avenue) side of the new building, planting at least two trees in the front yard, landscaping along the north side, and screening a neighboring house to the west with a fence. The petitioner also agreed to a certificate of land use restriction that will be recorded at the McCracken County Courthouse barring automotive uses (gas stations, car washes, automotive repair), seasonal fireworks tents, dry cleaning, and medical cannabis dispensaries; other B-3 uses such as retail, restaurants, banks or offices would remain possible with an approved site plan.

Motion and vote: Commissioner Griffin moved that the commission recommend approval to the board of commissioners and adopt written findings of fact supporting the map amendment from R-3 to B-3 for the property at 1005 Park Avenue; the motion was seconded and, after a public hearing was opened and closed with no public testimony, the commission voted by roll call with all members present voting aye. The roll call recorded Commissioners Griffin, Kaler, Rhodes, Benberry and Chairman Wade as voting yes.

Next steps: The commission’s favorable recommendation will be forwarded to the board of commissioners for final action. If the board approves the change, the certificate of land use restriction the petitioner agreed to will be recorded at the McCracken County Courthouse, and future site plans will be required for other B-3 uses.