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McCracken Residents Speak Against Zoning Change

McCracken Residents Speak Against Zoning Change
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By Tim Brockwell
Nov. 24, 2014 | PADUCAH, KY
By Tim Brockwell Nov. 24, 2014 | 10:10 PM | PADUCAH, KY

Several concerned residents spoke at Monday's McCracken County Fiscal Court meeting against a zoning change that would allow developers to build a new Dollar General Store in west Paducah.

The proposed store would be located on the South side of Cairo Road at Gayle Lane near Pugh's Midway. On November 12 the Planning Commission approved a zoning change from residential to commercial, which clears the way for builders to construct the new store. Local residents have listed a potential decline in property values, increased traffic and bright commercial lighting among their reasons for opposing the plan. They are circulating a petition against the change, which currently has 21 signatures.

Todd Houston, who lives on Gayle Lane said he is worried that the added traffic would present a safety hazard to residents. He also noted that there is other land in the area for sale that is already zoned commercial. "Two acres to the east, at exit 3 there is a four acre tract for sale right now that is already zoned commercial," Houston said. "Yes, it's a commercial price and I understand that, but if your gonna build a commercial building, there are commercial zones already."

Bradley Bolden, who lives on Cairo Road, said he is concerned about a loss of privacy and how the lights from the store will be a nuisance at night. "This business is going to be going up 50 feet from our kitchen and living room windows. Were concerned about the loss of privacy. I like the view of the night sky from there, and it's going to be gone because of the store lights burning all the time." Boden said.

Attorney Zach McMillan, who represents the developer said there are already several businesses operating in the residential zone, and that if the county doesn't allow the new Dollar General to be built they should put a stop to that. "Is it going to be the decision of this body that those people who are running businesses there should stop because their properties aren't zoned commercial? That would be the fair thing. If you're going to deny this business, then not stopping those people would be arbitrary."

McMillan said. Sheriff Jon Hayden said there have been 15 crashes over the past four years in the area between Maxon Road and the intersection where the proposed store would be built, and that about half of those were very close to or at the intersection.

The Fiscal Court set a public hearing on the matter for their December 8 meeting.

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