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Franklin County commissioners reject request to rezone 0.84‑acre parcel on Old Estill Springs Road
Summary
After a public hearing in which the Winchester Municipal/Regional Planning Commission’s negative recommendation was read into the record, the Franklin County Commission voted 12–4 to deny a rezoning application for a 0.84‑acre parcel on Old Estill Springs Road. The applicant sought FC‑R2 (general residential) zoning; nearby residents spoke against the change.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted down a rezoning request for a 0.84±‑acre parcel on Old Estill Springs Road at its April 21 meeting in Winchester.
At a public hearing, the commission considered an application from property owner Jazlyn Simon seeking to change county zoning for Tax Map 045, Parcel 25.11, from A (Agricultural) to FC‑R2 (General Residential). The Winchester Municipal/Regional Planning Commission submitted a written recommendation opposing the change. “The Winchester Municipal/Regional Planning Commission recommended against the following item for rezoning,” the Planning & Zoning notice reads, a document presented to the commission by Eric Bradford, director and building commissioner.
Residents who identified themselves during the hearing objected to the rezoning, citing neighborhood character concerns and consistency with existing planning guidance. An agent who has represented nearby industrial interests also appeared in the record in support of separate industrial zoning requests in the county’s March hearings; that organization was not the applicant on this parcel. Commissioners pressed planning staff on whether the county had formally approved the change; Eric Bradford clarified that the planning commission—an advisory body—had voted its recommendation and that staff transmits that recommendation to the commission for final action.
After discussion, Commissioner D. Kelley moved to approve the rezoning; Commissioner S. Riddle seconded. The motion failed 4–12. Commissioners recorded the vote in the public meeting minutes: S. Riddle, J. Shetters, G. Summers and D. Kelley voted yes; 12 commissioners voted no. With that vote, the property remains zoned A (Agricultural).
Why it mattered: The applicant had argued that FC‑R2 zoning would allow a duplex and modest residential infill; opponents said the county’s current zoning and the Winchester land‑use context weigh against allowing duplexes in the parcel’s location. The planning commission and the county commission both cited concern about compatibility with nearby development patterns and with the city’s stated preference to discourage mobile homes in areas inside the urban growth boundary.
What comes next: The property owner may pursue a revised application or other planning options; the commission did not direct staff to take further action during the hearing. The public‑hearing notice and staff memo are available in the Planning & Zoning Department files.
Sources: public hearing record and planning memo presented to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners on April 21, 2025. "The Winchester Municipal/Regional Planning Commission recommended against the following item for rezoning," the planning memo states, a point staff reiterated during the hearing.
