Richmond Board of Commissioners Meeting - September 16, 2026

The Richmond Board of Commissioners met on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 (transcript begins at 21:27:25 UTC). The board approved the August 19, 2026 meeting minutes, adopted an amendment to the roadside sales ordinance adding B4 districts and changing the permit structure, reviewed a state statute allowing the city to seek court-appointed receivers for inactive homeowners associations, and scheduled a September 30, 2026 work session on recreation and green space standards.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes (August 19, 2026): Commissioner Miller moved to approve the August 19, 2026 minutes; Commissioner DeGrant seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

• Roadside Sales Amendment (Section 150.157.044): City staff explained that B4 districts (typically shopping malls) were not among the zones where roadside sales permits could be issued, which became a problem once staff began processing these applications. The amendment adds B4 districts and changes the permit duration from a 3-day or 21-day permit to a single 30-day permit, with up to four permits per vendor at the same location per calendar year (increased from three). Staff noted the change better fits seasonal vendors such as fireworks tents and flower sellers at Richmond Mall. One sign not more than 12 square feet is permitted; no merchandise or signs may be displayed in a public way. The 30-day period runs from permit issuance, so a tent may remain for the full 30 days even if sales activity ends early. Storage containers are handled under a separate ordinance and must be temporary or, if permanent, landscaped and placed at the rear of commercial properties. Enforcement is coordinated with the code enforcement office; unpermitted roadside vendors are told the rules and either move or obtain a permit. The transcript's roll call for this vote includes a "Commissioner Theodore" who does not appear elsewhere in the record; this appears to be a transcription error.
• Homeowners Association Receiver Statute (KRS 381.803): Planning Director Chris presented a page-and-a-half overview of a state statute passed roughly two years ago that allows the city, through the Board of Commissioners, to petition the circuit court to appoint a receiver to act in place of a homeowners association that disappears or fails to maintain infrastructure. The city could recover associated costs through that mechanism. The director said he was not aware of any Kentucky city that had yet used it, and he offered to speak with residents facing HOA problems and to consider potential test cases. Commissioners cited examples of HOAs collecting fees and failing to maintain sidewalks and common areas.
• Parks, Sidewalks, and Green Space Maintenance: Commissioners discussed conditions at Nash Park, including missing curb cuts that force pedestrians to walk through fenced yards, an unmowed path with no gravel, and a buckled sidewalk between two homes that raises liability questions. HOA-dedicated green spaces were described as a persistent maintenance problem because responsibility is disputed; one commissioner noted that residents at Ash Park had HOA fees withdrawn from their checking accounts without maintenance being performed. A commissioner recalled that years ago the Carriage Gate subdivision off U.S. 25 was promised a bike trail connection by the golf course that never materialized, and suggested revisiting green space requirements for new subdivisions.
• September 30 Work Session: The planning director proposed a September 30, 2026 work session to review the recreation and landscape manual and green space requirements, consider what has worked and what has not, and discuss possible ordinance changes. Commissioners agreed to a 5:30 p.m. start; staff asked each member to confirm by email and said a notification would be sent once all members had confirmed. The director's report was folded into this discussion.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted the roadside sales ordinance amendment (adding B4 districts; 30-day permits; up to four permits per vendor per calendar year) by unanimous roll-call vote.
• Scheduled a September 30, 2026, 5:30 p.m. work session on recreation and landscape manuals and green space requirements.
• Directed residents with HOA issues to contact the planning director; the city may consider the KRS 381.803 receiver mechanism for future test cases.
• Adjourned by unanimous vote following the director's report.