Fiscal Court sends zoning text amendment back to planning commission with directive on in‑family conveyances

The Woodford County Fiscal Court voted Tuesday to send proposed zoning text amendments for Articles 2 and 7 back to the Planning and Zoning Commission with a directive to change the in‑family conveyance language.

The motion, made by Squire Downey and seconded by Squire Blackford, adopted the ordinance committee recommendation that the court keep existing law in place and ask the planning commission to revise the in‑family conveyance wording before returning the proposal to the fiscal court. The motion carried on a roll‑call vote: Squire Taylor — aye; Squire Gentry — nay; Squire Barton — nay; Squire Carl — yes; Squire Downey — yes; Squire Blackford — yes; Squire Dale — yes; Squire Brown — yes.

The vote followed several committee and full‑court remarks about procedure and content. Squire Gill urged the court to move the proposal forward as presented, saying he would "like to see it move on as it was presented." Other magistrates favored additional committee work or circulating draft language by email so members could offer edits before the planning commission received a directive.

Judge Executive Kay and the county attorney clarified process questions during debate. The county attorney said changes would be contingent on whether the full court supported the option proposed by Squire Downey. Squire Taylor asked that Director Hunter provide the court with a standing report at future meetings on how many in‑family conveyances come before the planning commission so the court can monitor impacts.

Next steps: the planning commission will receive the fiscal court's directive to revise the in‑family conveyance language and return the proposed text amendment for further consideration. Court members discussed holding additional ordinance committee meetings to produce a working draft in the interim.