Zoning Change denied on KY 11 & Maple Leaf

[MaysvilleCitizen]

I read the article in the Ledger Independent today about the zoning changed denied by the Mason County Joint Planning Commission.

http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2008/04/04/local_news/1435zoning.txt

Some of the board members stated that Mr. Bradford could farm the land. It was suggested to Mr. Bradford that he could raise soy beans or tobacco. I would like to know how many successful 14 acres farms we have in Mason County. Another member presented a magazine of Progressive Farmer and told about our country losing 2 acres of farmland every minute. It would certainly be nice if farmers could make a living like their father's father did, but the fact is that tobacco sales less per pound today than it did 20 yrs ago. Hey, and lets try to do it on 14 acres! Why weren't we concerned about that issue when Walmart came into town and took up a large amount of farming ground? Or the Downing Farm that now is the home of Green Tokai, Stober Drives, and Mitsubishi. WHY? because Maysville officials knew that the time had come that Maysville needed change and needed JOBS. The same as when Walmart came in and Lowe's. In the past 15 yrs + Maysville has commercialized farming land from one end of Mason County to the other! Just last year they passed Ranger Steel to zone change property on the AA Hwy going towards Tollesboro. Maysville Rental is just across the road from this 14 acres of property that Kelly Bradford is looking to have zoned commercailly. In 2006, the Maysville Comprehensive Plan Map was reviewed and changed. The tract of property that Mr Bradford owns is in that planned to be zoned. So, does that mean that it can only be zoned If a HUGE retail store wants to use it? With any tract of land over 10 acres that the committee passes to go commercial, the owner must submit a plan of what he or she plans to do. The commitee (as I understand it) then has the right to regulate and restrict what happens on the property. The committe already has in place a list of acceptable uses and a list of NOT acceptable uses. And a list of conditional uses. It's not like someone can just do what ever they please. As far as I have seen, the Bradford property has only improved more and more every year. In my opinion it's past time for people to speak up and help the small business man!

[Chuck]

To many restriction. It is hard to believe we call it property ownership with all the taxes and restriction placed on the land.

[I dont know]

I read the article in the Ledger Independent today about the zoning changed denied by the Mason County Joint Planning Commission.
In my opinion it's past time for people to speak up and help the small business man!

Oh how soon we forget that just a few years ago Mr Bradford was sucessful in helping the city do a call list to only certain tow truck companies that met only certain criteria. This led to a lot of "small business men" go out of business. I dont really car if he operates from the area listed above and yes he has improved the looks of the place. But I remember what happend a few years ago.

[F_Farkell]

I'm waiting for the hog farm. Here piggy piggy piggy.
Or maybe a peacock ranch.

[happyfan]

I'm waiting for the hog farm. Here piggy piggy piggy.
Or maybe a peacock ranch.

You forgot the chickens!

[ponto]

The Mason County Joint Planning Commission is only an advisory board that sends its findings and recommendations to the Mason County Fiscal Court.

The court may accept, overrule or hold its own hearings on any re-zoning request.

The Fiscal Court needs to step up to the plate and take action on this issue. Every time you turn around, there is another hoop to jump through. Just ask someone who has tried to build in this area.

This should have been resolved long ago.

[mark]

To many restriction. It is hard to believe we call it property ownership with all the taxes and restriction placed on the land.


WOW, I couldn't agree with you more!!

Chuck, you are scaring me, dude! ............see ya mark

[mom36]

Communism has made a come back. Kelly if a petition would help get one, I'll sign it. Everyone in Maysville knows the Bradford boys are hard working guys, I knew their father and you couldn't find a better man. The officials of this area are so scared of a Boob showing establishment opening, they hinder everyone else's acomplishments of expanding their business. If you think Kelly's business is going to cause concern just wait until Wyldwood gets set up. Then you'll be seeing alot of different things happening in Maysville, and it wont just be the boobs. LOL

[Chuck]

Kelly and I don't see eye to eye on a few thing but that don't change the fact that he paid for the property and should be able to use the property.

I know many of people on the zoning board and they are really good people with great intentions. They are looking out for what is best long term for the County. I just think they could do better to find a working solution.

This is one battle I don't like to fight but would have to stand behind Kelly on this one. There has to be a working solution.

Mark,
Told you once before my real opinion would scare you. I am not a Democrat nor a Republican. I tend to lean as a People Person on political beliefs. This is reall one of the first issues we have had posted on a local level.

[Foxy]

WOW... it would seem to me after reading this article that Mr.Bradford's neighbor is the aggressor in this situation. Why the anger? It seems that Mr.Bradford tried to get property else where and he was shot down. What I am worried about is that eventually I will inherit land in Mason County will they stop me from using my land the way I want? I can understand that any neighbor wouldn't want something that is going to harm him/her. What happened to the pursue of life liberty and happiness, the right to enjoy life and your property?
I just can't believe what I read. I hope he does put a bunch of chickens and pigs on his property.
If I am right he owns that place on Kenton Station right? I have seen bigger "junk yard eye sore" in our downtown areas. At least he has a fence around his junk cars.

[tkcomer]

I was against zoning from the start because I knew stuff like this would happen. Those "in the know" can get zoning changed or stop changes they don't like. And good intentions by the planning commission doesn't cut it. Their "good" intentions may not match anyone else's. There are enough statutes and ordinances in Kentucky and county laws to stop "eyesores", pollution, mega farms and what not. You don't need a county wide nanny committee nit picking everything people do. And I saw that article in Progressive Farmer. I also saw an article in Time about clearing forests in Brazil to grow crops. People don't want that either. The owners response is to pay them not to do it or shut up. It's their land. Do I want a mega junkyard next to me? Why of course not. But if it's legal, nothing I can do unless I sell out or I buy them out. It's not my land.

[ponto]

You don't need a county wide nanny committee nit picking everything people do.


This might just be the quote of the day...........lol

[F_Farkell]

Maybe what people need to do is call their county commissioner and tell them your opinion.:attention:

Donald E. Tumey 742 2331

Pat McKay IV 564 4546

F J " Bear" Finn 883 3288

J L Buddy Gallenstein Co Judge Exec. 564 6706

P S Mr Tumey is the commissioner for the district in question.

[MHanselman]

, I knew their father and you couldn't find a better man.


Aww.. thanks!! Charles Bradford was my Grandfather. Both him and Mama (Mildred) are greatly missed! Hopefully this dispute will get wrapped up soon, and everybody can just get along!!

Miranda

[Beatles]

The commission is trying to keep another eyesore like the one on the Mason-Bracken line from happening again. But in this case the property has been improved so much from when Bradford bought it. He has put up a fence to hide his equipment. Maybe just paint it all one color on Manley's side. The land is in a perfect place to be zoned commercial.

[tkcomer]

Define eyesore. It's hard to do. What some people may see as an eyesore, other people might see a legitimate business. That place on the AA (And another business in town on lower 68) might be seen as an eyesore to some, but those businesses meet the needs of a lot of people. People that are not well to do, so to speak. Should they be harassed because they meet the needs of a certain section of the population? Zoning isn't about preserving farmland. It's about control. One group deciding what they like versus what people want to do with their land. If it was about preserving farmland, Wyldwood wouldn't stand a chance. Or any other subdivision that is planned to be built on farmland. So if you buy a farm, develop it so it increases property taxes, that's OK, as long as it's pretty. Develop it to where it doesn't increase property taxes is a no no, or it's not pretty. Jeeze. And you wonder why I don't like zoning.

[Maxwells]

Amen....

[John Deere "B"]

To many restriction. It is hard to believe we call it property ownership with all the taxes and restriction placed on the land.


If Kelly doesn't get the zoning he has asked for and I was him, I would turn about 8 acres of this land into a hog & pig farm, anyone that has ever been around a large number of hogs knows there is nothing on this earth that smells any worse than hog S***.

[mom36]

Charles (Dutch) and Mildred as I knew them growing up in the quiet town of rectorville was the best people to any kind of business with. I know what Dutch would do, he would fight this till the end. Don't give up Kelly. I think the city and county commissioners that have been put into force are by far the worst ever. I opened a small business in town a couple years back and I went through utter H***. I had to have the building updated with floodlights and all kinds of rig of a marole. If there is need of floodlights in that area why all the upkeep on the floodwall? Things have gotten so out of hand and calling the commissioners isn't going to help, they have all the say about another mans all mighty dollar and how he spends it. It used to be a very nice place to live until they came up with that county wide ordnace that can tell you when to build, how much money they need up front for building it, and what I like the most is that, Did you no that they tell you where to build it on your own property. Come on people I want my rights back. It seems all Maysville/Mason County is trying to do is keep up with the Jone's. Come on people stand up for your rights.


Shirley (Michelle)

[MaysvilleCitizen]

Everything is governed in one way or another. Not to many things we have total freedom. I think it's a fine idea to call the commissioner for that area and let him know what we think. Ultimately, they work for us, the citizens of Maysville/Mason County. I'm not convinced that the vote on Wednesday night wasn't on some level "personal". I don't think that the members of the board really took into consideration the Maysville Comprehensive Plan Map and that it DOES include the property. In my opinion, they made the authors/makers of the Comprehensive Plan look like a bunch idiots and in turn say, "you guys don't know what you're doing". I think that every member that voted a no should have to submit their reason of denial. TKComer is right, there are a number of businesses in Maysville/Mason Cty that some may considered eyesores but should one person be punished because someone elses place looks bad? As much time, money and effort that Kelly has put into his property to date, i find it hard to believe that he'd go the total opposite and have it looking like those 2 businesses. He has already constructed a fence and nothing is visible behind that fence unless you get a camera and get on the HIGH POINT on the property behind him and shoot shots on that down angle. I am one that hopes Kelly doesn't give up. Not only for himself but for others that come behind him.

[tkcomer]

When it comes to zoning, my beliefs are in the minority. The politicians that voted for zoning were voted back in. And by a large majority. The contests weren't even close. The voters have spoken and they want zoning. I can complain all I want, but it will do no good. My rights have been voted away.

[Unregistered]

My question is this. How does the paper know these meetings take place. I guess not the meeting alone but that this one meeting here woudl be so hot. The leger is realy stepin up and givin the honest straight forward news. the article showed no favorets and we shoudl appreciate that. Well done leger.

Have you seen the sign on the barn at Bradford's farm? It's an acrostic- MEL. That's funny.

[Brian K Beckett]

Where was everybody that is against zoneing laws when Tommy Henderson wanted to open a club less then a mile from where Bradfords property is???

I dont want zoneing laws in the county either. When I bought my house I refused to buy one in a subdivision because of all of the restrictions in a sub. So I bought one in the county. If I had known that a few years later the entire county would be zoned I would have bought in another county.
I can agree that we are loosing way too much farm land. But do they really think zoneing laws will help retain farming land? They need to look at an actual solution that is possible.

[Beatles]

Save farmland? Why do you think farmers want to sell or develop? BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MAKE A LIVING FARMING!!!!!!!
It's nice and romantic to think of the nice little family farm, but lets face it, small farms don't even feed the people that own and live on them anymore.

[mrstjb]

I have been through this exact process with the Planning Committee and the Fiscal Court. After months of telephone calls, surveys and meetings, we finally took a plan that we and the Planning Committee could live with to the Fiscal Court. After all of that the Fiscal Court denied the application in about 5 minutes. We ended up selling the empty, not-in-use land for about one third of its value.
Kelly, I don't think you'll win, but I do love the battle you're fighting. The only one of the previously mentioned ideas we didn't try is the petition. I think you may have a shot, if enough people will sign. Post a copy and we can really get some signatures.
Wake up people, the reality is, you pay property taxes for some alternate agenda board of people to manage your property for you.