Richmond Plan and Zoning Meeting Summary - August 19, 2026
Richmond Plan and Zoning Meeting Summary - August 19, 2026
The Richmond Plan and Zoning Commission met on August 19, 2026, at 21:28 UTC. The meeting covered approval of previous minutes, three zone map amendments for a major development (Carriage Place expansion), a presentation on multi-use trails, adoption of manufactured home compatibility standards, and other business including HOA concerns and digital application updates.
Consent Calendar
- The minutes from the July 15, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously (7-0).
Discussion Items
Zone Map Amendment – 96 Pumpkin Run Road (R1A to R1C/R3)
- Applicant: Preston Worley on behalf of Richmond Development Co LLC. Request to rezone ~90 acres from R1A to R1C (majority) and R3 (northeast tip) to complete the Carriage Place development.
- Commissioner Francis recused himself from the three Richmond Development LLC items due to ethical considerations, leaving the chambers for debate and vote.
- Discussion: Commissioner Miller argued the R3 piece next to R1C is incompatible with the comprehensive plan, which calls for gradual transitions (R1→R2→R3). Worley countered that the entire development is a planned community and that diverse housing types (including senior living) are encouraged by the comp plan. Director Kevin noted the future land use map designates this as “mixed density residential,” allowing flexibility.
- Vote: Motion to approve with findings of fact passed 6-1 (Commissioner Miller opposed). Commissioner Francis was absent.
Zone Map Amendment – Parcel 0069-000020 (49.53 acres, AG to R1C)
- Continuation of Carriage Place; this parcel was originally left agricultural. Applicant argued AG zoning is inappropriate since the land is annexed and urban.
- Vote: Unanimous approval (6-0, with Miller voting yes; Francis absent).
Zone Map Amendment – Parcel 0069-000020 (18.09 acres, AG to R1C)
- Landlocked piece connecting existing lower South Point neighborhood to Carriage Place.
- Vote: Unanimous approval (6-0). Commissioner Francis returned to chambers after this item.
Multi-Use Trails Presentation
- Beth Jenkins (President, Madison Multi-Use Trails Alliance) presented the group’s goals: creating bike/pedestrian connectivity across Richmond, linking to Berea’s 20-mile trail system, and supporting the 2026 comprehensive plan’s vision. They cited economic, health, and property value benefits.
- Current projects: bike/walk plan update (funded by CDC, no cost to city), feasibility study for Goggins Lane/Tate’s Creek/Barnes Mill corridor, and a design study for Goggins Lane section (funded by Kentucky Department for Public Health).
- They seek partnership with the city as new developments occur, to integrate multi-use paths.
Ordinance on Compatibility Standards for Qualified Manufactured Homes
- City Attorney Josh explained that state law creates a comprehensive legislative scheme, limiting local control to specific areas: roof pitch (minimum 7/12), exterior finish materials (must match existing housing within 1/8 mile), foundation skirting (cannot be vinyl), setbacks, lot dimensions, and orientation (must match site-built homes in same zone). Minimum livable space is 900 sq ft (statutory).
- Discussion: Commissioner Miller suggested asking developers about manufactured home allowances in new subdivisions as due diligence. Other commissioners agreed.
- Vote: Unanimous approval (7-0).
Other Business – HOA Issues and Digital Application Update
- Commissioner Perkins and others reported concerns about unmaintained common areas and “zombie” HOAs in some subdivisions. City Attorney Josh noted a state statute allowing cities to petition court for a conservator for non-functional HOAs; he will present a training at next meeting.
- Kevin (Planning Director) announced that digital applications for permits (conditional use, home occupation, short-term rental, sign, stormwater, variance, zone map amendment, storage containers, plan review, grading, preliminary plats, construction drawings, final plats) are now live on the city website. Two remaining (blasting permits, roadside sales) are being finalized.
- Issue with Roadside Sales Permits: The ordinance (Section 409) allows them only in B3 zones, but most major retail areas (Richmond Mall, etc.) are B4. Kevin recommends amending the ordinance to include B4 zones. He deferred enforcement until the fix. Director Chris will draft an ordinance.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes from July 15, 2026 approved (7-0).
- Zone change for 96 Pumpkin Run Road approved (6-1); findings of fact adopted.
- Zone change for parcel 0069-000020 (49.53 ac) approved (6-0).
- Zone change for parcel 0069-000020 (18.09 ac) approved (6-0).
- Manufactured home compatibility ordinance adopted (7-0).
- Direction: City Attorney to provide training on HOA conservator statute at next meeting.
- Direction: Staff to draft ordinance amendment to allow roadside sales in B4 zones.
- Meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome everyone tonight for the Richmond Plan and Zoning meeting. Uh clerk who called a roll, please. Commissioner DeGrant. Here. Commissioner Francis. Here. Commissioner Short. Here. Commissioner Miller? Here. Commissioner Perkins. Commissioner Miles. Commissioner. Commissioner has said. If all the commissioners had a chance to look over the minutes from um July the fifteenth, I'd like to get a motion on it, please. No additions, no corrections. Yeah. Okay. Uh make approval of the July fifteenth, two thousand twenty-six minutes. Second. Okay, motion Commissioner Miller and second bar. Mr. Short. Commissioner De Grant? Yes. Commissioner Francis? Yes. Commissioner Short? Yes. Commissioner Miller? Yes. Commissioner Perkins? Yes. Commissioner Miles? Yes. Commissioner Assale. Yes. Next on the agenda is a request for zone map amendment for property located at nine and six punk and run road. Zone change from R one A to R one C slash R three. Commissioner Stell may have me recognized for a moment for something to get on the record. Yes, sir. Earlier today, Commissioner Francis uh gave me a call and wanted to come in and talk about uh some some issues as far as Richmond Development LLC and whether or not ethics came into play at that point. Um had a long conversation uh with Mr. Francis, Commissioner Francis, and I am confident that the LLC that he is working for based out of London is a separate employer than Richmond Development LLC. But over the course of that conversation with ethics, and I've done ethics trainings from one end of the state to the other for cities and commissions that you know have to be concerned about the appearance of impropriety. And with that in mind, uh, for the three matters on the agenda tonight for Richmond Development LLC, because there is some intermingling of the of the you know the parties involved. However, again, for the record, I cannot state strongly enough. It is not his employer, it's not a business he's associated with, but Commissioner Francis has let it be known to me that he is not going to be abstaining, he is going to be removing himself from the chambers for the duration of the debate and vote on the three matters concerning Richmond Development LLC. So he will be stepping out into I want the record reflected, he'll be stepping out into the uh the lobby there.
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