Richmond commission approves Spirit Drive zoning change, adopts police policies and approves hires, appointments

The Richmond City Board of Commissioners on March 3, 2025 approved a mix of land-use decisions, personnel actions and policy adoptions, including a contested zoning change for a Spirit Drive parcel and the adoption of two Richmond Police Department policies addressing officer-involved incidents and wellness.

The most contested item was Ordinance 25‑O‑3, a second reading that changes a 2.8‑acre parcel on Spirit Drive (deed book 830, page 669) from B‑3 (highway business) to R‑3 (multifamily residential). The board adopted the recommendation of the Richmond Planning and Zoning Commission and passed the ordinance 4–1; Commissioner Newby voted no. The planning commissionrecord shows it held a hearing on Dec. 18, 2024 and adopted written findings of fact recommending the change.

Other land‑use items were introduced on first reading and will return for final votes on subsequent agendas: Ordinance 25‑O‑7 (corner of Barnes Mill Road and Robbins Drive, Greenway Heights; 0.68 acres; applicant: Peyton Holmes LLC) and Ordinance 25‑O‑8 (818 Barns Mill Road; 1.58 acres; applicant: Van Winkle Real Estate Holdings LLC). At the March 3 meeting commissioners asked basic questions about unit counts and traffic; transcript notes indicate the Barnes Mill proposal would include about seven units and the 818 Barns Mill proposal about 18 units.

On departmental and personnel items, the board:

- Promoted a Richmond Police Department officer to lieutenant (Order 25‑32; promoted: Daniel Kersting; effective payroll date March 21, 2025). The promotion passed on a roll call vote in favor of the order. The promotion was followed by a pinning ceremony.

- Approved multiple hires and appointments by voice vote, including a new police officer (Tyler Story, Order 25‑37), appointment of Susan Sintra to the Human Rights Commission (Order 25‑31), Charles "Chuck" Heller to the Codes Enforcement Board (Order 25‑35), Jamie Jordan to the Section 8 Housing Authority Board (Order 25‑36), a finance‑department hire (Order 25‑34) and a recycling laborer (Cameron Moore, Order 25‑40). The board also accepted the resignation of police officer Jett McKnight (Order 25‑33).

On administrative policy and procurement matters, the commission:

- Adopted two Richmond Police Department policy sections (Order 25‑39): Section 6.04 (officers involved shooting and critical incidents) and Section 6.05 (wellness and support). The order was approved on roll call.

- Extended the bidding period for the new police‑station construction project from the procurement policy maximum of 21 days to 60 days (Order 25‑38). City staff told commissioners the final design meeting was scheduled for March 7 and recommended a 45–60 day bid period so contractors could price the work accurately.

- Adopted Resolution 25‑O‑2 supporting the naming of the bridge on Lancaster Road (State Highway 52 at mile 0.2107) as the Bill Strong Memorial Bridge; the resolution will be forwarded to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the General Assembly for final approval.

The board voted to amend the agenda after an executive session and approved Order 25‑41, a status change for an existing city employee in codes enforcement (Deborah Levasseur: administrative assistant changed to planning clerk, same pay grade, effective March 3, 2025). The mayor clarified during the meeting that no action was taken while in executive session.

Why this matters: The Spirit Drive rezoning will change what can be built on a 2.8‑acre site in the city limits and signals the commissions willingness to approve denser residential uses in areas formerly zoned for highway business. Adopting officer‑involved shooting and wellness policies affects departmental procedures and community expectations for how critical incidents and officer support are handled. Extending the police station bid period affects project timeline and contractor participation.

Votes at a glance (selected actions recorded March 3, 2025):

- Ordinance 25‑O‑3 (Spirit Drive, 2.8 acres): Passed 4–1 (Newby opposed). Planning & Zoning recommended approval (hearing 12/18/2024). Outcome: ordinance enacted upon second reading and publication per Kentucky law.

- Ordinance 25‑O‑7 (Barnes Mill & Robbins Drive, 0.68 acres): First reading; no final vote. Planning & Zoning recommended approval (hearing 01/22/2025). Proposed ~7 units.

- Ordinance 25‑O‑8 (818 Barns Mill Road, 1.58 acres): First reading; no final vote. Planning & Zoning recommended approval (hearing 01/22/2025). Proposed ~18 units.

- Order 25‑32 (promotion to lieutenant, Daniel Kersting): Approved (roll call; pinning ceremony followed).

- Order 25‑37 (hire: police officer Tyler Story, contingent on background and DOCJT slot): Approved.

- Order 25‑38 (extend bid period for new police station to 60 days): Approved.

- Order 25‑39 (adopt police policies Sections 6.04 and 6.05): Approved (roll call).

- Orders 25‑31, 25‑35, 25‑36 (appointments to Human Rights Commission, Codes Enforcement Board, Section 8 board): Approved.

- Orders 25‑33, 25‑34, 25‑40 (accept resignation; hire finance clerk; hire recycle laborer): Approved.

- Resolution 25‑O‑2 (Bill Strong Memorial Bridge): Approved; to be forwarded to state for final determination.

What commissioners asked: On zoning items, commissioners asked about parcel sizes, existing adjacent uses, parking arrangements and traffic impacts on Barnes Mill. On the police station procurement, staff recommended a longer bid window to allow contractors adequate time to price a complex project. Commissioners also asked for updates on local cleanup efforts (Turpin Drive) and received a commitment for an update at a future meeting.

The board adjourned after all business and a brief executive session; the mayor stated that no action was taken in executive session.