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Commission approves Honey Lane rezoning, rejects Highway 64 industrial request after neighbor opposition
Summary
At a Sept. 18 meeting the Franklin County Commission approved rezoning of about 78 acres on Honey Lane for single-family homes and rejected a 5.63-acre industrial rezoning along U.S. 64 following multiple objections about smoke and traffic; votes were recorded 13-0 and 13-0 respectively.
WINCHESTER — The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved a rezoning request for property on Honey Lane while refusing a separate request to rezone land along U.S. 64 for industrial use.
The board voted 13-0 to rezone roughly 77.92 acres on Honey Lane from Agricultural (A) to R-1 Single-Family Residential after Charles Yokley, speaking as agent for property owner Daniel Metcalf, presented the request. No opponents spoke during the public hearing, and Commissioner Barbara Finney moved the approval, which passed by voice vote.
Later in the meeting the board considered a request from Ellis W. Ashley to rezone a 5.63-acre portion of a larger parcel on David Crockett Parkway East (U.S. Highway 64) from A and R-2 to I (Industrial). The applicant’s representatives, including attorney V. Russell Leonard and family members, said the site would be used for a tree service that would store equipment and wood and would chip or burn waste on a limited basis. Supporters said much of the wood is chipped and that burning would be infrequent.
Neighbors testified against the change, citing smoke drifting across Highway 64, the risk of accidents if smoke reduces visibility, and health and nuisance concerns. John Meeks, Randy Buckner and Rex Cowan addressed the commission in opposition.
Commissioners voted by roll call to deny the rezoning, 13-0. The motion failed after opponents urged the board to keep industrial activity off the highway corridor and emphasized safety and livability for nearby farms and homes.
Planning staff documents included with the agenda show the Estill Springs Municipal Regional Planning Commission had recommended approval of the Honey Lane rezoning and the Franklin County Regional Planning Commission recommended the industrial rezoning for Ashley. However, the county commissioners reached opposite outcomes after hearing testimony.
What’s next: The denied applicant may pursue other administrative or private options, or request a future rezoning application. The approved Honey Lane rezoning will be recorded with the county and allows the property owner to pursue residential development consistent with R-1 zoning rules.
Speakers and sources: The account is based on the county’s meeting minutes and Zoning Department materials included in the Sept. 18 meeting packet and on testimony recorded at the public hearing, including statements by agent Charles Yokley and neighbors who opposed the Ashley rezoning.
