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Smiths Grove officials back preserving 824 College St. right‑of‑way as Hedge Street housing plan stalls
Summary
City and CCPC officials recommended the city retain an unimproved right‑of‑way at 824 College St., and a proposed Hedge Street subdivision drew a 2‑2 CCPC tie over concerns about density and small lot sizes; the developer may revise the plan or appeal to Fiscal Court.
Smiths Grove officials on July 22 reiterated that an unimproved right‑of‑way at 824 College St. remains designated as a city street and should be preserved for future connectivity, City Attorney Hamp Moore said. CCPC Director Ben Peterson told the commission the County Planning Commission recommends the city keep that ROW "for growth development just as it was originally determined."
The meeting also reviewed a developer's application for housing off Hedge Street that drew strong concern over density and lot size. Peterson said the CCPC vote last week was 2‑2, leaving the application neither approved nor denied. He told commissioners the developer could revise the plan to reduce the number of houses or request a hearing with the Fiscal Court.
Peterson and public commenters identified the proposed plan's density as roughly 3.6 houses per acre with 7‑foot side yards and 10‑foot backyards. Peterson said developers are increasingly planning smaller lots in the region because the cost to provide sewer service has risen, noting the cost of additional sewer service is now running about $100,000 for ½‑acre lots; that economic pressure, he said, contributes to proposals for smaller lots.
Attorney Hamp Moore said he had spoken with the property owner's son and that the city will draft a letter explaining the existing easement and allowable usage; Moore added that if future growth requires the ROW be opened for access, the city will work with the owner to revise the easement.
Mayor David Stiffey and CCPC representative Debbie Richey fielded questions from residents including David Marr and Larry Shobe about the subdivision's scale and impacts on the neighborhood. Commissioners discussed options including annexation or leaving the parcel unincorporated; Peterson noted Bowling Green has chosen not to annex new residential property because the cost of services can exceed tax revenue.
Next steps: the developer may submit a revised plan with fewer units or pursue a hearing before the Fiscal Court. The commission did not take a formal vote on annexation or on the developer's application at the July 22 meeting.
