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Fayette aldermen reject zoning change for proposed ambulance facility after resident concerns
Summary
After public comments about drainage, traffic and neighborhood impacts, the Fayette Board of Aldermen voted down an Ambulance District zoning-change request on May 12, 2026; the vote was 0–5 with one abstention.
The Fayette Board of Aldermen rejected a zoning-change request for a proposed ambulance facility during its May 12, 2026 meeting, after residents raised concerns about siting the facility in or near a residential area.
Alderwoman Michelle Ishamel had added the item to the agenda for discussion. During the public-comment period, residents voiced worries that a building or equipment yard near South Park Avenue would compound existing drainage and sewer issues, create additional noise and traffic, and pose risks to children who use the neighborhood for biking and walking. Sara Palmer said she opposed the site based on those neighborhood and safety concerns.
Supporters of the Ambulance Board's plan also spoke. Frank Flaspohler said the Ambulance Board spent several years studying potential locations and that, based on the board’s data and the board’s engineers’ work, a site near Highway 5 would best serve county response times. According to Flaspohler, the board’s analysis estimated that locating the facility on the opposite side of the city would increase response times by about two-thirds, and siting it between Fayette and New Franklin would add roughly six to seven minutes. He said architects and engineers would design drainage measures to address runoff toward Williams Street and that the property would not produce residential-level sewer demand.
Aldermen discussed whether stormwater and sewer plans had been reviewed before the zoning item reached the council. Alderman JB Waggoner said the application lacked such plans and argued that the council should consider preservation of residential zoning in RS1 areas. After debate, Alderman Patrick Roll moved to call the roll and vote on the zoning-change request. The roll call recorded no ayes, five nays (Aldermen David Frees, Austin Ivy, Patrick Roll, Bradley Patty and J.B. Waggoner) and one abstention (Alderwoman Michelle Ishamel); the motion failed and the zoning-change request was not approved.
The Board did not adopt a different site or set a follow-up action at the meeting. Several residents asked the Ambulance Board to consider alternate locations; the Ambulance Board representatives indicated they would address drainage and design questions as the project develops.
What happens next: The zoning change request failed at the May 12 meeting; proponents and opponents cited additional technical work (stormwater and sewer review) that would be needed before bringing a revised proposal back to the Board.
