BOC Tables Off-Site Parking Amendments

Fayette County Commissioners, including Edward Gibbons, Charles W. Oddo, Eric Maxwell, Lee Hearn, and Charles D. Rousseau, recently tabled two proposed ordinance amendments concerning off-site parking. The consideration of these amendments, which would allow off-site parking as an incidental use for worship centers and in office-institutional zoning districts, was put off until the April 21 meeting. The need for such amendments was partly highlighted by QTS Data Centers, which is reportedly seeking off-site parking to alleviate traffic congestion around its construction site. During a public hearing, local church members supported the general idea of the amendment but raised concerns about specific county restrictions, such as limits on expanding or improving parking areas during a lease and an eight-year lease cap. The county attorney clarified that while facilities can be expanded and maintained for church use, they cannot be specifically improved to expand leasable parking areas. County Manager Steve Rapson noted that while off-site parking leases are currently not legal for churches, they are occurring, and the county marshal could issue citations. Commissioner Oddo advocated for approving the amendment as presented while staff refined the language, but other commissioners preferred to resolve issues before approval. Ultimately, the commission voted 3-1 (with Charles Rousseau absent) to table the worship center amendment and unanimously to table the O-I zoning amendment, instructing staff to revise the language in both. Separately, the Commissioners approved a request to rezone 3.1 acres for a single-family home and wedding venue, and amendments to chapter 110 regarding planning and zoning board member appointments. They also awarded a $1,418,964 contract to Ten-8 Fire & Safety, LLC for self-contained breathing apparatus for the fire department.