Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

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You ready? I'd like to open this the June the 9th meeting of the Paduka Planning Commission and URCDA. We'd like to start off if you would uh join me in standing for the pledge of allegiance. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right, Mr. Summers, would you call the role, please? Commissioner Benberry, here. Commissioner Griffin, here. Commissioner Kaylor, here. Commissioner Rhodess here. Chairman Wade here. All right. Our first order of business is the election of a a vice chairperson. Do I hear any motions or nominations for that position? I nominate Joel Benberry Barry. Second. Moved and seconded. Any other discussion? Is there a motion to ex accept that by acclamation? I'll make that motion. Moved. Is there a second? Second. Second. Mr. Summers, would you call the role, please? Commissioner Griffin, yes. Commissioner Kaylor, yes. Commissioner Rhodess, yes. Chairman Wade, yes. Congratulations. Thank you for your service. All right. Uh, we have a motion from Commissioner Griffith on the minutes from the April 7th meeting. I move that the reading of the minutes of for April 14th, 2025 be waved and that the minutes

of said meeting as prepared by staff be approved as written. Second. Moved and second. Are there any additions, corrections, or deletions to the minutes that you've read? None. Hearing none, Mr. Summers, would you call the role, please? Commissioner Griffin, yes. Commissioner Kaylor, I. Commissioner Rhodess, I. Commissioner Benberry, I. Chairman Wade, I. We have no URCDA petitions. Uh, we have no continued positions for the Paduka Planning Commission. We do have a new position for the um planning commission that uh regarding a zoning change at 1005 Park Avenue and Mr. Summers, would you like to start us off report on that? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is a resoning request from R3 medium density residential to B3 general u business zone. The lot itself is located on the eastern end of the block and the western half is zoned B3 general business. This particular lot is next to a B3 zone going east and you can tell by the map on the second page. It is surrounded by uh brick buildings, commercial buildings, some industrial buildings all the way around it. some of which are indeed are in the residential zone at this time and some in the commercial zone. The property is proposed to be utilized for a private storage building for the catering business on the opposite end of the block at 1049 Park Avenue. The storage building is proposed to be 1500 square feet, although it may be uh smaller than that with some of the discussions that we've had. And as

mentioned, the site does touch B3 zoning on the east. Therefore, it's an expansion of the zone and not spot zoning. The site contains approximately 10,293 square ft. The R3 medium density zone is inappropriate for this lot. Park Avenue is a major arterial forming the southern boundary of the site. Therefore, traffic and vehicular noise could potentially be problematic for any type of residential structure to be located there. Traffic counts were 4,567 vehicles a day in 2022. The future land use map shows this parcel to be neighborhood conservation. However, staff's recommendation is indeed B3. Therefore, it's not in conformance with the comprehensive plan. And whenever that happens, uh, this body must find additional findings of fact in accordance with KRS 100.213. The existing zoning classification is inappropriate for the following reasons. The lot shape is not conducive to residential development as there is virtually no alley access. Park Avenue generates traffic and noise which is not conducive to residential development. Traffic counts are 4567 vehicles a day in 2022. Commercial and industrial uses are located directly east and southeast of this site. The western half of the block is zone B3, general business zone, and a non-conforming metal building is located northwest of the site, which is a testament to the mixeduse nature of how the area developed. When viewed in light of downtown as a whole, there have been changes of an

economic, physical, or social nature. The Holiday Inn was constructed in 2016. The Trout General Store was constructed in 2015 and the respit which is mixed use was constructed in 2008. Further, as you all are aware, a new aloft hotel is anticipated on the north side of North Loop Road at 519 North Third Street, North Third Street. And these will all be major economic and physical changes. For the reasons stated above, KRS 100.213 A and B are met. This area of Padugal is transit transitional in nature. The area west of the site is contains the catering business along with some low density residential uses and east of the site is more uh brick buildings, industrial buildings, metal and that character style neighborhood runs all the way to Sixth Street to the east. So when we was discussing this potential site with the petitioners, we have agreed to some um performance standards that would help to enhance the site which would make it more palatable between the transition point between residential and the more commercial area and they are as follows. The new building will have at least a partial brick facade on the south side of the building, and that's the side that faces Park Avenue. At least two new trees will be planted in the front yard, and landscaping will be provided along the north 10th side of the building. Uh the site plan is enclosed in your packets of where it's roughly to be laid out. And additionally, it was agreed that the property would be

restricted to not allow automotive uses such as gasoline stations, car washes, automotive repair, seasonal fireworks tents, dry cleaning, or medical cannabis dispensaries. However, other B3 uses such as retail, restaurant, bank, office, and uh similar uses could be approved with a new or modified site plan. And those restrictions would be locked in place by a certificate of land use restriction, which would be recorded at the McCracken County Courthouse. So, with that, Mr. Chairman, I would be glad to answer any questions that you all may have and also the petitioners are with us tonight as well to answer any questions as well. We'll start off with Commissioner Griffith has the motion for this zoning change. This is going to be a minute. I know. I'm sorry. I move that this commission recommend approval to the board of commissioners and adopt a resolution recommending approval thereof of the request requested map amendment from R3 medium density density residential to B3 general business own for property located at 1005 Park Avenue. I further move that this that this commission adopt the following findings of fact in support of said recommendation. The existing R3 zone is appropriate for this lot. The size and shape of of this of the lot is not conducive for residential land use. Major changes of an economic physical or social nature have occurred in the area. The Holiday Inn, Trout General Store, the rest

respite were all constructed since the last comprehensive plan was adopted. Park Avenue, a major arterial art artery, forms the southern boundary of the site. The site is adjacent to the B3 zone on the eastern edge. Therefore, spot zoning is negated. The site is intended to provide support services to the to the existing catering business located on the western end of the same block. The requirements to change the zone classification as outlined in KRS 100 213A and B have been met. Park Avenue generates traffic and noise which is not conducive to residential development. The traffic counts were 4567 vehicles a day in 2022. Commercial and industrial uses are located directly east and southeast of this site. The western half of the block is zoned B3, general business business zone. A non-conforming metal building is located northwest of the site, a testament to the mixeduse nature of how this area developed. This is a transitional area of the city of Paduca with primarily residential areas to the west of the site and commercial and industrial to the east of the site. The petitioner has agreed to the following requirements which is to to benefit of the neighborhood while considering the proximity of the catering business. The new building will have at least a partial brick facade on the south and the east sides of the building. At least two trees will be

planted in the front yard. The house the house to the west will be screened off. the new building by offense. The petitioner has further agreed that no automotive, dry cleaning, firework tents, or medical cannabis dispensaries shall be permitted on the lot. Future land uses may include restaurant, retail, office, bank, and the like with an approved or approved new or mod modified site plan. Thank you. It's a mouthful. All right, that's the motion. Is there a second? Second. Moved and seconded. That being a zoning change, this does require a public hearing. And I believe uh Commissioner Benberry, you have a motion to open a public hearing. I move this commission open the public hearing for case zone 2025002 pertaining to 10:05 Park Avenue. Second. There's a second. Moved and seconded. All right, Mr. Summers, would you call the role on that item? Commissioner Benberry, I. Commissioner Griffin, I. Commissioner Kaylor, I. Commissioner Rhodess, I. Chairman Wade, I. We are now in public hearing. As we start that, I will would like to invite all who have uh comments uh before this commission to come forward. I would like to to um hopefully you have signed up and put your name in the box here. This applies not only to this item but the next item that we're going to do. Uh if you haven't signed up to put your to speak, please come up and put your name in the bo uh sign up and put that slip in the box. Um the uh I would ask you all silence your cell phones. Uh there will be uh a time limit set for comments. Uh generally that time limit

is 3 minutes. uh if several attendees wish to make the same comment on the same topic, then the I may require you to have a representative to come speak on that particular item and uh for that larger group that you might represent. Uh we ask that speakers be maintain a respectful and decorum when addressing this commission and that you when you come up to the podium that once you're there you state your name and your address for the record and uh that doesn't matter if you're a city resident or or not. We still would like to identify you and we would ask that any comments you make are about the item that is in front of us at the moment. With that said, is there anybody who wishes to make a comment for this particular on this zoning change? All right. Hearing none, uh, Commissioner Rhodess, would you read a motion to close the public hearing? I move this commission close the public hearing for case zone 2025-02 pertaining to 105 Park Avenue. All right. Second. Moved and seconded. Mr. Summers, will you call the role on that item? Commissioner Rhodess. I. Commissioner Benberry. I. Commissioner Griffin. I. Commissioner Kaylor. I. Chairman Wade. I. All right. Now we have the uh motion in front of us for the the zoning change. Does the commission have any questions or comments that they would like to to make? Uh Mr. Chairman, one point that I'd like to point out. Um, Commissioner Griffin, I believe I heard you say that the existing R3 zone is appropriate and it should be inappropriate

as on the motion. Okay. In the voluminous motioned in there somewhere. Yeah. That would be item number one of his comments. Yes. That the R3 zone is inappropriate. Okay. I don't see that we need to take any action to or that small typo here this way. Back to the commission. Any questions, comments before we vote? Hearing none. Mr. Summers, would you call the role? Commissioner Griffin, I. Commissioner Kaylor, I. Commissioner Rhodess, I. Commissioner Benberry, I. Chairman Wade, I. All right. Our next item of business will actually be two things on the same item. We will first hold a um hearing and a public hearing. We'll have a motion and public hearing for the planning commission to address the Southside redevelopment plan. Then after that, we will go into a URCDA hearing for the very same purposes. Hopefully, you will ask all or make all your comments uh prior to that. Um, and we'll do it all at one time and make it nice and tidy. So, with that said, Mr. Summers, would you like to start us off on the Southside redevelopment plan? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Tonight is just for the purpose of gathering comments. Uh, there were will be no official action tonight. Uh, here in a moment when I turn it back to you, staff will um make a few comments. answer any questions from the commissioners and then we will begin the public hearing. All right then. So we Is it appropriate then to read that motion at this time?

Absolutely. All right, Commissioner Griffith, I'm going to call on you again much much smaller motion this time. Thank you for that. Thank you. I move the URCDA to incorporate by reference. The first motion is going to be the motion by the planning and zoning commission to open the public hearing to me. Uhhuh. Well, she has it to open, but won't we need the general motion for the item or we're not acting on that, are we? We're going to take that in the US. Okay. All right then. Before we get into that, a motion then or do we need to motion to open the the planning zoning here prior to the staff discussing? All right. Commissioner Taylor has that motion. Then I move that the Paduca Planning Commission open the public hearing for the Southside redevelopment plan. Is there a second? Second. Moved and seconded. All in favor? I by the the role that Mr. Summers is going to call. Commissioner Kaylor. I. Commissioner Rhodess. I. Commissioner Benberry. I. Commissioner Griffin. All right, Chairman Wade. I All right, we are now in public hearing. Um, staff is going to start off as I understand. All right. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I believe at this time we will begin with Mr. Stroop. Um, who will be speaking on the south side. Good evening, commissioners. It's good to see you all again. It's been a little minute uh since we've been in front of you in regards to our Southside plan. uh that plan being this document right here that you all have a copy. I've also brought a stack of copies uh for those who are here to attend and like to speak for public comment. I have copies of it here up at the podium and I'm also going to have a few copies out front if you'd

like to pick those up as well. To briefly recap, this southside revitalization plan is to identify a program area uh this specifically uh intended for blighted housing in a portion of the southside. The plan is to outline the strategies to improve and stabilize these housing conditions in this program area. It outlines the steps uh to benefit the residents within the area and to keep residents in place. Um and it has a couple different steps throughout it. Um, but since you've first been given uh this draft, there's been no further changes to it. It's why we're here tonight to hear uh input from everybody in attendance as well. So, we have uh some public comment cards I've seen people handing off. Um, if you would like to speak for the public hearing process uh is to fill out this form here. We have copies out here on the front. And I'm going to pass this one along back to you, Josh. Uh, but these public comment cards need to be filled out with your name and basic information and that way you'll be called forward to speak in regards to the hearing. Are there questions before we continue? Commissioners, do you have any questions? Homer, could you speak to the notice? Yes. Um, I've noticed a couple people having a copy of the notice themselves. Uh so previous to this meeting in terms of rolling out this plan uh this draft version it was one first posted to the city of Paduka's website for public consumption but in regards to this specific meeting here uh there were mail notices sent out to every address within the program area. Uh that's about 1,61 parcels within the first program phase. Um and that went to the current resident uh but also additionally the owner if those two things are different such as a rental as well. So, these were all sent out by mail through our department uh for this complete list of addresses.

Okay, with that, I guess we'll begin the public inputs. I have one more for you, Josh, that was left over here. Pass those to the chair. I know of no order that these are in. Uh we will have a timekeeper of Mr. Summers keeping uh approximately three minutes for any uh so that we can move along and everyone has a chance to speak. We are not taking any action tonight but we are gathering your input. This is your chance to to voice your input. Uh this is not the opportunity for you to ask questions. If you do want us to ask a question, we may or may not be able to answer it, but it will count against your three minutes. Uh but we would advise you to avail yourself of the various experts who are here um to answer those questions. Um I think that's all that I'm I have on my list. First one up, Mike Muscarella. Good evening. Thank you very much, Chairman Wade, for allowing me to be here. It's uh great to see you. Uh, excuse me. Would you before you get started for the record, would you state your name? That way it can be recorded. Yes. And your address. My name is Mike Muscarella. I live at 72 Martin Circle in the Jon Lawn neighborhood of the city. And uh, Chairman Wade, Commissioner Benberry, Commissioner

Griffin, and uh, Commissioner Kaylor, and Commissioner Rhodess. I I am part of the Southside steering committee that uh since it began a couple of years ago and have been actively involved in the southside through the healthc care standpoint. I'm one of the executive directors at Baptist Health Paduca and work with our community health needs assessment and we have uh focused on this area because of the needs for health improvement in this area specifically cardiovascular disease as well. But housing is health care. And I can I'm here to let you know that through our community health needs assessment, we have focused on this neighborhood with current we have done five uh health fairs over the last four years with uh a sixth health fair with the partnership of Alphi Alpha. the uh uh fraternity, the brothers and the hospitals work together with community partners to promote free health screenings in the region. But I I'm here to emphasize that throughout my experience with the city and the Southside steering committee, the city has done a quality job in being very sensitive to the needs of this community and has worked hard to get involvement of the neighbors of the community to focus on helping legacy residents within the community and also to help bring new um uh new people into the community to live. And with the uh Paduka Alliance of Neighbors, I'm always excited to drive by the new homes that are being built in the neighborhood. Again, housing is healthc care, but I just wanted to assure you that uh director director Carol G and and planner Palmer Stroop are doing a fantastic job working toward inclusion and being sensitive to the needs as we move forward with this plan.

and the plan has is a great reflection of what of what we have been doing and what we would like to continue to do. Thank you very much. Thank you. In no particular order, the next one I have is Cheryl Gore Goodwin. Oh, right in the front row. Awesome. Oh, okay. Well, you're going to speak on to both of these. Both of those in the Thank you. Thank you for having me, Commissioner Wade. Um, actually, I just found out the answer that the they're only mailing. Oh, my name is Cheryl Glora Goodwin. I live at 1208 South 9th Street on the sunny south side of Paduka. Okay. And I just found out that they mailed these particular mailings just to the program area, but as a Southside residents, as someone that's also participated in the Southside initiative and um and some other programs that are immediate to the Southside, you know, it' be nice if mailings go out to all of the Southside residents because this room probably would have been packed had that happened. and I only live one block over from where the line is. So, I would like to see that they update and include all residents when they send out future mailings. And then I'm also here because I've um have the Mahari Medical College. I did go and visit down in Tennessee. I think that that is a wonderful plan that the city has. I think you all have gotten on board with the clinic coming here. I think the health care is good for everyone. Um, and that they serve the under served

people and it's going to be for the county as well. I think that that's a great improvement for the city and also housing for you. Put your mic up so everyone can hear. I think somebody can. Okay. And housing or speak up. I hope that some of the housing is not everything. I've spoken to a few people and they're talking 1,250 square feet and above with some of those parcels only 40 ft wide, maybe 100 ft long. So, I'm hoping that they would consider more homes that maybe are 750 square ft to 1,000 ft that would better fit the parcels that people already have and they can go ahead and start building on them. So, that's all I have to say. So, just please consider having homes. Not every home should be 1,250 ft and above. You know, we have retirees, we have single people, and you know, I see the city growing, but it takes all all people. Thank you. Thank you. Our next one is Charles Hamilton. a little short, so I'll pull it down a little bit. My name is Charles Hamilton. Uh, I don't personally own property on that southside, but I was raised up on that south side of town. My family is connected with the Mahari project. But uh and just talking and then sitting

back just things are transforming in the city now that people are making decisions that are not necessarily invested in these different communities and what have come to my concern being raised up in Baduca and and some of the zoning and planning that has been come about. Uh and I just throw this in quickly. I remember when I was a kid, the white community didn't want Steuart Nelson Park. Didn't want nothing to do with it, never been in it. But then now they come back and they take it by the zoning, whatever the case may be, and don't even want Steuart Nelson to have any connection with it. And I think this is somewhat may happen with the Southside. the things that are being planned may not necessarily identify with the people that's going to be left in that community. I go to Ninth Street Church of Christ and uh we're trying to evangelize in that area and I think some of the things that may come about may even put hardship up on some of on some of those folks. uh the south side of Baduka even revitalizing and if you anyone ever noticed jobs now $24 an hour now you're still living close to poverty. None of us and some of you all couldn't live on $24 an hour and maintain a a home and take care of a family. So I think when these adjustments are being made and then some of the prices that I see on some of these homes that's going to be erected in those areas where you going to find the people that wants

to invest back into that area if they only able to be employed and make said 24 hours and down and so but I just would like for just for you all and the the commission to get a little bit more input from the directly from the community. I drove around town and I know they talked about notices. A lot of the signs that was posted when and I was asked to to come down those signs had been removed. So, I think maybe they was thinking they might get a little bit too much publicity cuz some of the signs when I drove down yesterday, some of the signs I saw up Thursday and Friday wasn't there anymore. The signs I saw on the corner of my church lawn was removed. So, I was thinking that maybe you and I mentioned this to one of the commissioners before, we would like to stop. It's too many. you know, the meeting before before the meeting. We have some meetings before the meetings and then so some of the people that maybe represent the community only get to invited to the second meeting. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Next up, I believe I'm reading this right. James Green. Is it Green or Greer? Okay. Um, this is a person that lives on Walter Jatan Boulevard. Okay. Maybe they're not here any longer. Okay.

All right, then the next one is Mary Thomas. Mary Thomas Street. Are you Mary Thomas? Yes, I am. Oh, do you wish to speak? Oh, okay. I it was in the first u the uh the case. Okay. All right. So you you were here for the zoning thing. Okay. Thank you very much for your attendance. Thank you. All right. Next I have Vanessa Knight. repair. Okay. Were you here for the zoning part, too? [Applause] Okay. Thank you for being here. I'm just trying to make myself notes because this is there's a lot going on tonight. Uh James O'Brien. Oh, right there. Yes, sir. My name is James O'Brien and I'm actually a resident of Marshall County, but I got eight of these in the mail. So, I guess I've got a vested interest in the southside. And uh I'd like to say uh thank you to the individual who drafted this. It represents a considerable uh investment of time and energy in researching. And I think it's commendable that the commission and the city of Paduca is undertaking a revitalization of the south side of Paduka. I think it's uh imperative in the growth and development of the city as a whole. I have two things that I'd like

to comment on. Number one is um I think it would be a good idea if it has not already been done to uh do some benchmarking to see what other communities have done. I will bring to the table uh the city of Tallahassee, Florida, wherein an individual by the name of Rick Kernney has uh developed what's called the Kernney Center. You can see it online as well as a community called the dwellings where it's where in uh to address this very issue of the lower income community uh has built uh tiny home communities there and uh the goal being uh to provide housing at $400 a month because there the average housing is $1,100 a month. And so his specific goal has been to address the needs of those who are um not as well blessed financially. And so I suggest that's one source. Uh Rick happens to be my brother-in-law. So I know a little bit about what's going on. Another resource uh you can look at is called Padslit. It's a nationwide effort to uh bring housing to lower income. They have 21,000 units across the country and uh my son is doing that. So I make those make you aware of those. But I'm sure there's lots of other uh situations where communities have had this issue to deal with probably almost everyone in the country and uh been able to pull out of it in varying ways to help the people in in this uh community. Uh the second issue that I wanted to speak to was the issue of uh developer incentives. The reason why I got eight of these is because I have in mind to

take uh vacant lots and turn them into uh residences for the community. Uh and the question really is uh in what way are you as a commission or is the um Southside uh group that's organized to do this um encouraging and incentivizing and I don't mean financially but in other means developers to take a look and see uh how this would be profitable to them to get involved. Thank you for your time. Thank you very much. Thank you. Just Okay, I have um looks like Geminita Dawson. I know I'm butchering that. Miss Dawson, my apologies. That's okay. Thank you for being here. That's why I don't like J. My name is Javanta Dawson. Uh live at 5570 Coxill Road, Hopkinsville. Thank you uh commissioners for uh calling me up. Um I'm here not as a politician, not as a political person, but one that is just a plain old concerned citizen. I was born and raised on the south side. And I just want to kind of go on record about how I feel

and my circle. Um, no matter what the final decisions are for development on the south side, I want to I hope that we will keep in mind our public art project. I know we're talking about development, but we would like some type of solid art or presentation that tells the story. Again, it's been mentioned earlier that yes, there are people that are making decisions for the neighborhood that never even came to the neighborhood. But there have been many significant accomplishments, many significant people who were still standing on their shoulders and have not only made a difference in Paduca, but the world. the world and it would just mean so much to the people that like I say no matter what this development is going to end up looking like there still would be a story that tells who we are and what we are. So I'm going to leave it at that. just hope that uh you will keep that in mind when we get to that part about the public art project. Thank you very much. All right, next up I have Dorothia Davis. Hello, my name is Dorothia Davis. I live at 2856 Washington Street, but I have a

property that's my childhood property at 821 South Fifth. Very interested in keeping that property and re and being a part of the redevelopment as well. But I wanted to say thank you, Commissioner, and um and all of you, all of the planning committees uh committee members for allowing us to have this opportunity to talk to you. Um I I really didn't I wasn't prepared to come here tonight. Let me just say that. And so when I got the message that this was happening, I was like, I need to be here because um you're talking about me. You're talking about my my side of town. And uh it's very important to me that the preservation of the southside is is important and the redevelopment is very important. So, I appreciate the opportunity for the growth, but I also um want to be sure that when um people of color in particular are uh applying for business licenses and different things and re reszoning, redevelopment in in terms of resoning and those kinds of things will go as easy as Mr. Parker's resoning went. I pray that there will be opportunities for us to make sure that redevelopment happens for all people and not just for people who come in and own the property and and lease to the uh the the people there in the neighborhood. We want people in the neighborhood to be homeowners, to be business owners. We want it to reflect what it used to reflect. You all don't know a lot about Pots's grocery store and different things that I I I got to experience on that side of town when I was a kid. and I am 57 years old. So that's a long time ago. But it it I I knew that neighborhood. I know that area. I know this area like the back of my hand. And I just want to make sure that um you know that as I I'm the president of the Paduga Diversity Advocacy Board. And I am so much uh in in just

um I am my emotions are high about this because it does affect me personally, but it also affects so many people in our community. Would you please I'm asking please make sure that we are included. make sure that we are always invited to the table to talk about the things that are going to directly affect us, our children, our grandchildren, our our our churches, our ability to have food. The the Diversity Advocacy Board youth just passed out food at 10th Street. And if you had seen the people that came because they were hungry, the children that came because they were hungry, this side of town deserves better and it's in your hands. you're able to help us achieve better for all people, not just one group of people. We're not asking for that. We're asking for all people. Don't tear down any more homes before you really try to help people build. Amen. Don't destroy land and and and parcel it off for, you know, industry before you help people develop businesses in that area who live in that area. Please, I'm asking that you please include us. Thank you. Thank you. Next up, I have uh Amina Watkins. [Applause] Good evening. My name is Amina Watkins. I live at 432 North Fifth Street. Um, and I'm here just to share a little bit of my feedback about the Mihair project. Um, that is getting a lot of support and just recently support from the city, the county, um, both local hospitals. Um, but I was a part of the group that helped organize the community including

our students um, at our local high school uh, 10th uh, 11th and 12th graders that were interested into the medical field. Um so we decided to take some of the community members um some of them in this room who have shared um down to Mahairi Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. Um we had about 21 students that attended with us um and the rest adults um some community leaders um that were able to join us like Commissioner Thomas um with a total of 44 that went down there not really expect knowing what to expect. Um but a lot of the feedback that we got um from all the attendees and the participants were outstanding. Um, I was particularly interested in the feedback from our students that went to see that there is an opportunity for them to have access to a medical college that they didn't have to travel to or 5 6 hours away. Um, they can go from high school um into, you know, WKCTC that would have a direct pathway into a medical college that's going to be in their backyard um particularly in hopefully the southside. Um so that feedback from the students that um went there were able to go and come back with a mentor from graduates and future graduates of Mahairi Medical College. So there is opportunities um with having that project here on the south side in Paduka um that would benefit um our community. It would benefit our students, our youth that are here to see themselves in a field that they would have to, you know, travel and be far away from home to be able to come back and have that education that they're looking for that they can come back to

our community um and have accessibility to the healthcare um that Mike Muscarella was able to, you know, share a little bit of what is needed on the southside. We can have that. So, um, when you hear the Mahairi project, just know that there are community members, there are students that look forward to that project. Um, and it would help, um, some of the needs for accessibility to health care for the Southside. That's all. Thank you. Thank you very much. Next up, I have Rhonda Smith. Good evening, commissioners, and thank you for this time. Uh, I come to you as president of the Paduca Historical Preservation Group. Could you identify yourself name and address? Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you. Rhonda McCory Smith and I live at 90 Buffalo Road, New Concord, Kentucky, um, Callaway County. But I am born, raised, bred, and still breathe here in Paduk. I spend four out of five days here a week. Um, but I my our mission is preservation. Southside is near and dear to us. Uh, as uh Miss Dawson spoke earlier about the art project. It's critical to the uh recognition of the people that have lived there. And we know things are changing. It's called a revitalization. But we want to make sure that what we can preserve is preserved. Uh back in October, uh Mr. uh Bernett, Tom Bernett, uh was introducing himself to the through the Southside initiative and uh he spoke of a designation of the Cobb Park area to be a historical zone. And I raised the question for the Jaton and Upper Town to be designated as well. and

and the the conversation was kind of well you have to have significant buildings. We have them we have them on on our south side which is upper town and Jaton and in that I'm talking about um right now Burks Chapelos uh uh church is going through a $750,000 renovation. You have uh Commissioner um Henderson's church that was started by an enslaved person. You have the significance of the McCracken County Courthouse, the Jaton School, the Hotel Metropolitan, uh the uh house at 9inth and Jackson, which was a a black doctor Poke who was from Mahairi and we have traced back that every one that we could think of except for one went to Mahairi. And so with that, we have the history and we want it preserved just like you did lower town and you plan to do for Cobb, but we need that designation for those areas. And I had told Mr. Barnett, I don't know what the status is with that that I am a governing member of the Kentucky Historical Society, so I can help with that. But thank you all for giving us the opportunity to speak. Uh but please make sure we're represented in all conversations. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, Miss Betty Dobson. Saw her coming. There she is.

Good evening, commissioners. Good evening. Good evening. I'm grateful to be here this evening and uh Miss Smith kind of spoke on what I want to talk about. Sorry to interrupt you. Would you would you Betty Dobson? Thank you. I live at 921 Oscar Cross Avenue here in Paduka. Um, I work with the Hotel Metropolitan and some of you may not know this, but it is one of the last green book stops in the country that has not been repurposed. And for that reason, that whole community, I think, Miss Ste kind of decided to come to the Southside area because it had something to offer. There was a black community there that was called Bronzeville. I don't know if you all know that. I don't know if you know that the man who discovered Louisie Armstrong, Fate Marble, lived on the south side. The man that made him famous, Boyd Atkins, lived on the south side. What I'm trying to say to you, the Southside has a lot of historical significance, especially when you look at his Africanamean history. And when you all are looking to change and incorporate, I guess incorporate change, please remember that that this area was a mecca for people in other

communities. They came to Vuka because Paduca was relevant, had something to offer. Even West Kentucky, even though it's not on the south side, West Kentucky was looked at as the best schooling that you could get for your child if you were black. So, I'm saying when you are moving forward and developing and building new houses, please let those houses be of quality. I I remember and maybe some of you all remember urban renewal. Y'all remember that? I remember going to my cousin's house and her floor falling through. You know, it was not a well-built home. So, if those endeavors are going to happen, please let them be of quality so they can last and people could be happy and proud of what they have. And also remember there's some older folks on uh the south side, not me y'all, but but there's older people on the south side. And I hope that that consideration will be included in your decisions and and like most people have said, just just include us. I I don't know what better way you could do that, but include us, please. Thank you for your time. Thank you very much. All right. I believe I have gone through all that I have. Is there anyone else? If you that has not signed in, but I haven't signed in. Okay. Well, we're gonna we want people to be heard. So, come right up here to the podium and

please introduce yourself with your name and address. Good evening, commissioners. Good evening, uh, fellow citizens. My name is Audrey Lee. I think a lot of you know me. Uh, please ignore the letters I have on. I'm speaking on my behalf, not in representing my sorority. I live at 1527 North 13th Street. I was asked to come down here for another meeting and I stumbled on this meeting. So, I didn't have anything prepared to say. I didn't know what the agenda was, but I just want to say that I grew up on the south side. I am Southside. I started down here on uh right across from the courthouse on Clark Street. I can trace myself from kindergarten to Clark Street, walking to Southside School up here on Cwell Street, across the street uh from Mrs. Miles grocery store where we all know we went to Mrs. Miles. You got that deal pickle out of the jar with that fork you had and you got the Jackson cookies. Everybody knows that. Okay. And then we went from there. We went to Lincoln Court which was torn down that that and my friends would come home and said, "Oh Lord, it looks like an atomic bomb went off. I don't recognize Paduka cuz Lincoln was gone." But I lived in Lincoln Court right across the street from Rosary Chapel. Then we moved to South A Street. I grew up across from the Marble home right across from uh Metropolitan Hotel. I played with Clarence Big House Gang's kids over there every every week. So, but I I enjoyed growing up on the southside. I just want to get up here because I hadn't read the plan, but I don't know what you do, but I'm like everyone else that said include us. I want my Southside to be as vibrant as the Southside that I grew up with. I have excellent memories. I want people

to be able to afford their homes. I want people to be able to fix their houses up and to stay on Southside because people who lived on Southside and grew there, we love Southside. I want to be included and it was that was a mixed neighborhood. I try to tell people all the time that Paduka didn't have to go through all the uh uh things that other people had to go to to include people in school and in housing. Uh, it was black and white in our neighborhoods. I spent the night in white kids' houses and stuff. We all lived together. We all worked together. I grew up across the street from Miss Driver's grocery store. I went to physical therapy other day and found out his son. We knew each other cuz he lived there and he said grew up uh above their driver's store. And I said, "Mr. Sid store?" And there was Jack Dismar grocery store. Another corner. There was the uh people's pharmacy, the people's uh the uh there was grocery stores over there. I remember Dr. Pope took care of all of us. I remember Southside and what and I know my time's getting short. Whatever you do, make sure we're included and I want it to be affordable for all of us to be able to that love Southside to uh be a part of it. And I know someone spoke about the art and I don't know what they're doing about art, but we want something to commemorate uh us that we're represented, but I wanted I want the housing. You know, my aunts still have houses on the south side. I want I want them to be able to my elderly aunts to be able to afford the houses that they have because they want that to go to generations so that when we come home, we have a place to stay. Okay? So, just include us. Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay, I believe you raised your hand. Good evening everyone. My name is Monica

Bryant Commission. Um I'm a property owner on the corner of 7th um 10th and Husbands. My mom is a property owner on the corner of um 12th and Jones. My sister Camille is a property owner on Seventh Street, a few blocks over. And like Cheryl, her house is not included. The Southside is not only just a little section. We're all Southside. And like Dorothia commented on, we need a grocery store. We need food and access for our community. Now, I live in California. I've been there for about 35 years, but I make it my business to come home every year. And Paduka has always been a mecca for black people. Before there was Junth, there was 8th of August. And Paduka was a mecca for black people for 8th of August since way back since before when I can remember. Now, my family is one of the legacy families. We have been on the south side for how long, Camille? No, longer than that. Okay. No, our family goes back um my grandma Jane was a slave in Paduka. Okay. So, we go back that far on the south side. And I'm like everyone else, our history needs to preser be preserved. My mother's house is falling apart. We need help on that. My sister needs help on her house and her property, but she's not included. She's over the line. But like I said, Southside was all of Southside from Dismos to Miss Miles to Drivers. I remember Drivers. We used to live on South Ninth Street. We hit that alley and go to Drivers. Okay. We go to church and go to Miss

Miles. Please. No, you're good. No, no, no, no. I'm good cuz I don't have too much more else to say. I just want to ask you to please remember to include us because those of us that live away, we want to come back home, but we want to be able to afford to come back home. And we do have a lot. We want to come back home because we have a lot to offer our community and we want it to be there when we come back. Thank you. Thank you very much. Okay. Anyone else? I didn't know everyone was speaking from the heart. This is Cheryl Gore Goodwin again. And I am a Southside resident. My home is 1208 South 9th Street, one block over from the phase, y'all calling it phase one. It's actually phase two. My husband and I moved back here to live in my father's home which he built in 1957. I am a fourthg generation Padukian. My son has just moved here. He's going to be a fifth generation Paduki. I can trace my family roots back to 1854. So I know Paduka and I know the Southside. And when I say that you that we're there saying that we need to, you know, I may have had it nice and able to redo my family home, but there are people right in eyesight distance that need some help. And um and I like to um speak up for my neighbors because I really think that Tom and I was on the southside initiative miss just a twob block radius about 15 parcels of homes that would just you know enhance the

city so much. So, I would like to at least readress or at least have it, you know, come to the commission that maybe where people aren't taking advantage of of the initiatives that those homes just like she just stated that is in need of dire repair that, you know, you can consider opening opening that line up to help somebody. But um people asked me, you know, why did you move back to Beduka? Always knew I was going to move back to Booka because my father built a strong home and it's standing straight across the street from Big House Gangs who was his friend who used to visit our home all the time. And you know, it's a lot of great memories, but you know, there is work to be done. And I know that I've been out there hitting the ground and trying to do it for people, but um yes, I'm I'm a Southside resident and I love Paduka. Anyone else who hasn't already spoken? Come approach the microphone if you would identify yourself. Hello everyone. My name is Tiffany Gartley. I reside at 2635 Tennessee Street here in Paduka, Kentucky. I've lived there for 11 years. I've been here 18 years. I'm from the south side of Chicago. And I want to let you know as an outsider who has made Paduka her home and has been welcomed by the residents of Paduka, you can see a difference. in the city. And I know I can tell that it's a lots of love here in this city. But just looking in from the outside, looking in, is it purposely neglected?

Cuz it looks like it. But I don't know. I'm just asking. I'm just communicating my thoughts cuz I've just been watching for 18 years. I don't got no roots here. I came here because the school said, "Yeah, come get educated here." And I was like, "Yes." Then the company said, "Do an internship and I did it." Then the job said, "We'll hire you and I got that." And I grew my children up here and they're great and college educated and graduated, etc. But you can tell the difference in the communities. And once I found out that this was happening, I was like, I go to church on the south side. I think that's I'm still learning the sides. And I was like, man, why do it look like this over here, but when you go to other parts, it look different. And people got good jobs over here. and everybody pay taxes. And I'm like, I'm just a silly girl. I don't know nothing. So, I came here to be educated and to learn. I'm gonna be timely moving forward. But I'm grateful that you all open the floor for people to communicate and share things. And I just wanted to share what I see looking into Paduka. Someone said, "Why you don't celebrate the 8th August? You black." Well, I ain't from here. I ain't got no family here. You see? So when you're not from here, you feel differently. But people come here because it's a good place. It's a wonderful community. But if everybody can put their thinking caps on and be rational, I think it's going to be so much better. So thank you for your time today. Have a great evening. [Applause] Thank you. I will say that I I think I can speak to everybody here. We all love Paduka and I've lived here all my life and I know that that goes along. But is there anyone who wishes to speak regarding the the Southside redevelopment plan? Um please come forward and we've got two. So go come on up and we'll have a bullpin and ready

for you to go as well. Hi, thank you for the opportunity for me to speak. I'm Shalon Hollowell Jeter and I live in Lon Oak on Charladan Drive. I have property on the south side and um my brother and my h and myself and my husband u we have a a uh property management. My husband and I have a boss management development LLC or business and what we do is we renovate houses and we're getting ready to embark on building is what we want to do. My brother is Don Hollowwell and he is in construction as well. He lays concrete. He knows how to build. I come from a family that are construction workers. I have cousins in California. I've told them about what's going on down here. They're wanting to come and help me out. Um we my brother and myself have come here have been to the city planning board. some of the members I don't well I don't know not the commissioners but some of the planning uh members I guess what you call it we anyways people that work in planning and zoning yes the staff so um we've pitched a plan for redeveloping and basically trying trying to improve the aesthetics of Fifth Street and Fourth Street. We h we own several lots there but and this was maybe three months ago or something so something like that and we are we were last told to wait to hear from the city we can get a loan so we are not stragglers we can get the we can get the money but it doesn't make sense for us to rede to

build or develop anything on southside because what I'm hearing is everybody saying we needing afford affordable housing. I'm also a licensed real estate agent and they're right because for affordable housing to be built on Southside right now, it's not going to make sense for a developer. Affordable housing to some of these people, what I'm hearing, it could be 150,000, 175,000, maybe 190,000 at the most. It's going to take just about that much to build the house. Um material is expensive, labor is expensive, and nobody works for free. So I am speaking on behalf of the developers. Now I had one developer here to speak as well, but I thought I better speak too because I don't want somebody in the audience to say, "Oh, that was just that white guy." No, we got some black folks too that wants to develop as well. But we don't see the money. And in order for us to jump in this and develop, the money's got to be there because we don't work for free. I think slave days is over, right? That's right. So, we don't work for free and I know y'all understand what I'm saying. So, I am urging and s Paduka has been good to me. I've been here since 96. I'm from Hoptown and Hopkinsville, Kentucky is booming. They're building. They are they are changing some of those distressed neighborhoods and making them great. The same thing can happen here. But it has to make sense. It has to make sense. It does make sense to help the the local home buyer that wants to buy and give them incentives. But it also has to make sense for the developer to sink their personal money into this into Southside and make some money on it.

So again, my name is Shalon Jeter and thank you for listening. Thank you. [Applause] Yes, ma'am. Good evening. My name is Helen Patterson. Uh I live at um 2065 Steve Drive. I have a my husband and I own a house on Tennessee Street. And we was kind of excited when we got a card in the mail because the house needs some repair. And I called the city hall. I talked to a lady here and she was saying I said, "Well, is a loan available?" And she said, "Oh, no. It's a grant." And so when I came to get the papers, it says 20%. And I I I'm not for sure who who um make up those uh figures because some people cannot afford that. You know, even though they have some repairs done on their house, they can't they if you if you make it 50%. I think here will you get more people that that is able to afford this and I don't know who make up these percentage but consider the people that with low income you know I'm not I'm sure that you all are trying to help people and not trying to make money off of people because there are people that cannot afford all these repairs and so consider consider a a a higher percentage, you know, that they have to pay because, you know, the money is there and you just making it so hard for people that want to improve their home. So, just consider um a different percentage that you can help people and that's what we're

supposed to be all about, helping and not trying to make money off of people. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Yes, [Applause] sir. My name is Jeffrey Allen. And you all probably don't remember me, but you know my mom, Ida Allen, and and my brother Bill. Everyone knew him. Listen, I was born in Lincoln Court, apartment 24. Dr. Davis, a black doctor, delivered me 1956. My mom came here in the late 40s from a place called Water Valley, Mississippi with a eighth grade education because that's all they would let her get down there. And she worked here. She was the movie The Help. My mom was the help. She kept going. She finally landed a job at Union Carbide cleaning. She worked out there through Martin Marietta and whatever else they called it. she retired and with a eighth grade education and she kept telling me, "You can do this. You can do this." You know, she said she she she she fooled me. She told me that, "Hey, you got to go to school or you go to jail." And I never knew the difference until I moved to Germantown, Tennessee, and we we have adopted schools. And the kids were dropping out of school. And I asked I asked the kid there in Memphis. I said, "How can y'all drop out of school?" And he said, "Well, we just leave." I said, "Don't you go to jail?" He said, "Man, where are you from?" I said, "Poduka." I come home and she told me, she just laughed. She said, "Well, I really never told you you'd go to jail, but you know, but I I want to thank you all for what you're doing. I thank you for the I got two of these because I I've got two properties here, and I live in Germantown, and and I live in a community where houses are 400, $500,000

to a million. Um, but I've never forgotten Paduka. Uh my last daughter was born and thanks to the Easter Seal Center out here, we I grew up with the teleathon, we all did. Uh they told me they said, "Your daughter would probably have Down syndrome, you know." Well, her mom cried and I said, "Okay." And the guy said, "It doesn't worry you." I said, "No, if she does, that's God's will and and I'll deal with that." But I had had experience with kids because of Paduka, you know, and I I hope that's all still going on. I don't come home as often. Uh but since all this is going on, I will you all fix someone fixed the the marble street uh uh sides over there off of Clark Street where my where my mom she bought a home. She bought a home here. She paid 15,000 for it. It's 1013 Clark Street. We still own it. Uh, my nephew wants to live in it. That's one reason I'm here today, too. Was helping him trying to get it together. But they, you all put the marble things back down on the streets out there. Somebody did. I don't know who did it. I didn't do it, but it looks great. Jaton looks Listen, I am thrilled with Jaton school still being there. Uh, I mean, it's not a school, but it's there. Uh, we need to do everything we can. Please continue to do everything we can. I don't want to see anyone get left out. Uh, please continue to send give me the information. I thought I was I came to farther. You said California, you got me there. I drove three and a half hours this morning. Uh, I'm not a happy camper, but but I'm glad now that I got here and that this is going on. And I want you all to continue and and please work with people that are here to help this community because the Southside is the place. Oscar Cross, Mr. Oinda, I could go on and on with all those great people uh that help and so uh please continue to do it. Thank you very much. All right, as we wind this down, is

there anyone else that has not already spoken that wishes to speak? All right, I'll take that opportunity to ask Commissioner Benberry to read the motion to uh close this hearing. I move that the Puka Planning Commission closes the public hearing for the Southside redevelopment plan. Second. Moved and seconded. Any uh discussion? Hearing none, Mr. Summers, would you call the role on that motion? Commissioner Benberry, I. Commissioner Griffin, I. Commissioner Kaylor, I. Commissioner Rhodess, I. Chairman Wade, I All right. Since we are a uh a combined Paduka Planning Commission and URCDA, uh I believe that Commissioner Kaylor has a motion to open a public hearing for URCDA. I move that the URCDA open the public hearing for the Southside redevelopment plan. Should we have had Commissioner Griffiths read his URCDA motion first? Okay, he's next. Thank you. Is there a second to Commissioner Kaylor's motion? Second. Seconded. Uh to open the public hearing, Commissioner or excuse me, Mr. Summers, would you call the role, please? Commissioner Kaylor, I. Commissioner Rhodess, I. Commissioner Benberry. Hi, Commissioner Griffin. Hi, Chairman Wade. Hi. I apologize for our legal ease here, but uh we are now in public hearing for the for the URCDA, which uh will have a great deal of impact. Uh their uh what you've said here will also go into the record for the URCDA both for both the planning commission and the URCDA. Is there any discussions? All right. Hearing none. I have Commissioner Griffith with the closing of the public with the adoption of the Oh, we need to open that first. No, just

all you need to do is make the motion incorporating everything everyone said into this hearing as well. All right. So, I think you have that motion. Okay. I move the URCDA to incorporate by reference as if set out in full all comment comments, testimony, documents, or evidence presented at the Southside Revitalization Plan hearing before the Paduca Planning Commission such that such that each does not have to be repeated at this hearing of the UR CDA. A. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion on that? I would hope not. Mr. Summers, would you call the role, please? Commissioner Griffin, I. Commissioner Kaylor, I. Commissioner Rhodess, I. Commissioner Benberry, I. Chairman Wade, I now believe Commissioner Rhodess has the URCDA public hearing. I move that CDA close the public hearing for the SASAD redevelopment plan. Second. Moved and seconded. All right, Mr. Summers, would you call the role on that? Commissioner Rhodess, I. Commissioner Benberry, I. Commissioner Griffin, I. Commissioner Kaylor, I. Chairman Wade, I thank you all very much for being here tonight. It the input that you've given us means so much. I would ask uh just for your education on this for Mr. Summers to describe what happens next. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, uh thank you all for all of your comments tonight. Uh we have literally the entire staff of the planning department here tonight to uh um go through your comments through your comment cards and we're going to review the tape of all the comments that were

made. The next step uh will be on July the 7th at 5:30 in this room for the uh recommendation to the board of commissioners. The planning commission and URCDA can vote to um forward a favorable recommendation, forward a recommendation of denial or they can table uh that for more information. But uh hopefully with the trajectory that we are on uh we will be making a recommendation uh to the board of commissioners uh July 7th at 5:30 for this group to meet again and do that and then the board of commissioners will meet at some future date to adopt the plan for the city. Yes sir. Uh the board of commissioners meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. Uh I don't have that exact date but u it will be posted on the website on the city of Paduka website when that will be heard. Okay. Is there a motion to adjurnn? I move that we adjourn. Second. Second. Moved and seconded. Uh for the adjournment commissioner or for I keep trying to promote you. Mr. Summers, would you call the role on that? Commissioner Kaylor. I Commissioner Rhodess. I Commissioner Benberry. I Commissioner Griffin. Hi, Chairman Wade. I We are adjourned at 651. It went good. It really went good. It did. That appreciate your [Music]

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