Richmond commissioners approve multiple zoning changes, voluntary annexation referral and a set of routine appointments and contracts

Richmond — At its regular meeting, the Richmond City Board of Commissioners approved a slate of land‑use actions and routine orders, adopting several second readings to change zoning classifications, referring a voluntary annexation to the planning commission and confirming multiple appointments and contracts.

The board unanimously adopted Ordinance 26‑02 to change zoning for 219 Moberly Avenue (0.32 acres) from R‑1C single‑family to B‑2 Central Business District at the request of Kentucky Church of God owners. City Attorney explained the B‑2 classification would not necessarily preclude a church use. The board also approved Ordinance 26‑03, which reclassified multiple addresses on Baker Court from R‑2 duplex to R‑1 single‑family following a petition by 13 property owners and a planning‑and‑zoning recommendation.

Other zoning actions approved on second reading included Ordinance 26‑04 (614 Oldham Avenue: R‑3 multifamily to R‑1 single‑family), Ordinance 26‑05 (1212 West Main Street: P‑1 professional to B‑3 highway business) and Ordinance 26‑06 (1180 Berea Road: B‑3 highway business to I‑2 heavy industry for Qualex Machining LLC). The City Attorney read findings of fact for each matter and each ordinance became effective following the second‑reading adoption and required publication.

The commission also adopted Ordinance 26‑07, expressing the city’s intent to annex 1055 Berea Road (owner: IBS US LLC) and formally referring the annexation to the Richmond Planning & Zoning Commission for a recommended zoning classification. The City Attorney and multiple commissioners emphasized this as a voluntary annexation and not a final annexation decision.

In routine business the board approved a number of administrative orders and appointments: the promotion of Trevor Edwards to battalion chief (Order 26‑17) and John Daughtry to Firefighter 2 (Order 26‑19); acceptance of resignations from Catherine Hollis (finance, Order 26‑20) and Christopher Mullins (public works, Order 26‑30); adoption of amended fire‑department job descriptions and pay grades (Order 26‑21); and the reappointments of John Veil to the Richmond Utility Board (Order 26‑25), Dr. James Miller to the Planning & Zoning Commission (Order 26‑26), Wayne Robinson to the Board of Adjustments (Order 26‑27), and others to advisory boards.

The board also approved procurement and contract matters: a bid award to Bachman Auto Group for three 2026 Silverado work trucks and one dump truck for the parks department (Order 26‑18); a fireworks contract for Lake Reba’s July 4 show awarded to Pyro Show Inc. for $25,000 plus a $2,500 bicentennial add‑on (Order 26‑22); and selection of Fort Bank to provide Richmond’s General Fund banking services following an RFP process (Order 26‑23). All motions recorded in the transcript passed by unanimous roll call.

Why it matters: the zoning amendments change permitted uses and development patterns in several neighborhoods and commercial corridors; the annexation referral starts the formal process to bring a city‑adjacent parcel under Richmond’s jurisdiction; and the procurement and personnel actions implement budgeted capital and operational plans discussed in the city’s five‑year work program.

The meeting also included a public‑comment appeal from citizen Ed Brown asking the commission to schedule action items that allow public input during evening meetings, citing that special‑call daytime meetings limit opportunities for working residents to attend. City officials noted planning and zoning hearings and statutory notice requirements, and said the board already schedules at least one noon and one 6 p.m. meeting each month to increase access.

The commission adjourned after routine remarks thanking public‑works and other departments for storm response. The planning and zoning commission will receive the city’s five‑year comprehensive plan as a final draft a week from the meeting; staff requested any edits by the Friday deadline before the consultant’s update and the plan’s first reading on the 24th.