By Bob Vlach

Woodford Sun Staff

A public hearing on a request to rezone 271 Church Street to high-density residential in order to open a short-term rental led to another discussion during the June 11 meeting of the Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Planning Commission about the need for affordable housing in Versailles.

After closing the hearing and listening to concerns about parking issues on Church Street from the members of the family who owns the house next door, commission Chair Whitney Stepp said parking will remain an issue on Church Street no matter what action is taken on this short-term rental application. She then raised concern about approving another short-term rental in a Versailles neighborhood that serves middle-class families.

Commissioner Karen Isberg agreed, pointing out short-term rentals reduce the housing stock and “tend to drive up housing prices … and that’s not necessarily a positive for what we’re looking to do in the future in Versailles.”

While voicing concerns about parking, the members of the family who own the neighboring residence said a renter of 271 Church Street parked in their yard.

“So I have an issue with the parking and with the way that her guests abuse my property,” said Katherine Ann Chase Irby.

Her sister Gwendolyn Chase Howard agreed, adding, “It’s just a problem period with people not respecting our property …”

Linda Ann Weiss, who owns 271 Church Street, told the commission that she wants to have a short-term rental because past renters of her property have broken leases and destroyed the house “costing me thousands of dollars …” She described operating a short-term rental as a better situation for her because it “allows me to vet guests,” while also supporting tourism in Woodford County.

Because a conditional use permit (CUP) is required for a short-term rental, Planning Director Steve Hunter pointed out conditions could be imposed to address parking issues raised. Currently, it’s an issue for the police department if someone parks illegally, he said.

The commission voted 6-1 to recommend Versailles City Council deny the zone change from R-1C single-family residential to R-4 high-density residential. Commissioner Chad Wells voted no. Doug Curl and Tim Middleton were absent.

Because the commission did not recommend the approval of the zone change, no action was taken on the CUP application to operate a short-term rental, which is not a permitted or conditional use in single-family zoning districts.

Development plans

The commission unanimously approved a site development plan for 250 Crossfield Drive (Elk Horn Farm, LLC). The plan proposes a 5,413 square-foot addition to the building, which was owned by Kentucky Utilities. The .797-acre lot is zoned I-1 light industrial.

The commission unanimously approved an amended site development plan for 1150 Georgetown Road in Midway (JEP Warehouse, LLC) in order to build a 17,000 square-foot barrel storage warehouse. It will be the second warehouse on the 7-acre lot, which is zoned I-1 light industrial.

Plats approved

The commission unanimously approved a subdivision plat showing an exchange of land parcels for properties at 530 and 790 Buck Run Road (Thomas Brown, Jeff Alexander and Teri Faragher).

The commission unanimously approved an amended record plat that relocates the rear property line at 341 North Winter Street in Midway (Antony and Natalee Bays).