Planning commission recommends denying Supper Wheel Road rezoning for proposed self‑storage after neighbors cite flooding, light and upkeep concerns

Nicholasville City’s Planning Commission on Aug. 26 voted to recommend denying a zone map amendment and associated development plan that would have allowed a self‑storage facility on a roughly 1.3‑acre parcel on Supper Wheel Road.

The applicant proposed rezoning the parcel from R‑1 (single‑family) to B‑2 (highway business) and a conditional use for mini‑storage. Attorney Zach Cato, representing the applicant, told the commission the proposal aligns with the comprehensive plan and ordinance requirements and described design controls — single‑story buildings, inward‑facing unit doors, masonry or EIFS exteriors, no outdoor storage and landscaped buffers. “We think there’ll be no adverse impact to the public interest,” Cato said during his presentation.

Neighbors and nearby property owners urged denial at a lengthy public hearing. Jason Casement, an adjoining owner, said he gathered about 25 signatures opposing the project and asked why a property that had received citations should be rezoned: “I have about 25 signatures of people who do not want this storage facility being built right there on that property.”

Sgt. Jason Porch, Nicholasville code enforcement supervisor, told the commission the parcel has been in violation of city ordinances since May and that the city had issued citations beginning Aug. 13: “Currently, there’s 10 citations,” he said, and the matter is scheduled for the city’s review board on Sept. 17.

Residents also raised stormwater and safety concerns. David Beckley and other neighbors presented video and eyewitness accounts of runoff and alleged failures at an existing detention/retention basin. Beckley said the roadside ditch could not safely accept more runoff and that paving the site would worsen flooding on Sulphurwell Road.

City Engineer Brian Claire said the existing pond must be reevaluated before any additional flow is routed to it and that, if inadequate, on‑site detention would be required: “That existing pond will have to be reevaluated for that extra flow; if it can’t handle it, then the property will have to have its own detention on‑site.”

Cato and the applicant emphasized that lighting, drainage and traffic impacts would be reviewed through required permitting and that the B‑2 classification is limited to highway‑oriented businesses. The applicant also confirmed agreement with staff‑recommended conditions in the development plan and zoning report.

After extended public testimony and staff answers, a commissioner moved to deny the zone map amendment and the development plan; the motion was seconded and the commission recorded a majority in favor of denying the request. The commission chair said the recommendation will be presented to the City Commission, which has the final decision; the City Commission meets on the second Monday of each month (staff indicated Sept. 9 as the likely date for the item).

Next steps: the Planning Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Commission for a final vote; residents were told appeal rights exist to circuit court after the city’s final action.