Triple S Planning & Zoning Commission returned its Findings of Facts and transcript to Shelbyville City Council regarding three properties at a special called meeting Thursday, Dec. 21.
It is up to the council whether to accept these recommendations, which were counter to what was asked for, or whether to proceed with new zoning, which Triple S ruled was not compatible with the Shelby County Comprehensive Plan.
Findings of Fact
The city received recommendations for these annexed properties from Triple S.
Zoning recommendations for a block of four properties, one on Brunerstown Road owned by Big Four Star Properties; two tracts on Brunerstown Road and Taylorsville Road owned by Langley Land Company, LLC & WCM Land, LLC Series 2 Properties; and the final, a property at Taylorsville Road and Logan Station Road owned by TDA Properties, Inc.
Mayor Troy Ethington encouraged all council members, who each received a copy, to review the findings.
The city could potentially reject the findings and rezone these properties anyway, at a later council meeting.
Tourism
Janette Marson, CEO and president of ShelbyKY Tourism, presented a report to the council.
A major highlight was a presentation regarding transient tax, room tax and restaurant tax.
Marson has been working to make sure the city gets its fair share from overnight stay venues including Airbnb, VRBO and Expedia, and restaurants and food services like DoorDash and Uber Eats. Each hotel, Airbnb and any overnight stay sites must collect the transient tax from customers and remit that tax to local government; however, not all are doing so.
DoorDash finally paid what they owed, putting $120,000 into city coffers.
But Kentucky League of Cities is suing Airbnb, which refuses to remit transient tax.
And not all available sites are on the city’s radar.
Marson said Granicus software, approved for use by the council, is finding Airbnb-type units that aren’t registered and fly under the radar without a business license. There are about 40 of these type places who are registered within the county, but many more, possible 125 more, are operating here.
Marson also reports that the Black History Trail augmented reality is on track. There will be three locations — Veteran’s Park in Shelbyville, Calvary Cemetery and Simpsonville — where history will come alive.
New public works truck
The council approved a Municipal Order to purchase a Ford F550 for Shelbyville Public Works from a local dealer. The truck will cost $100,000 to $110,000 fully equipped and will be purchased through noncompetitive negotiation due to immediate need, lower cost than next year and availability due to scarcity prompted by auto work strikes. Noncompetitive purchases are allowed under Kentucky law in certain circumstances.
The council approved a Resolution to fund the Public Works truck through ARP SLFRF funds for its vehicle fleet.
Preservation
Shelbyville City Council approved a Preservation Covenant with Passive Income, LLC.
The city is closing out a $25,000 preservation grant to the company for work on 537 Main St. in downtown Shelbyville. This was a federal grant through Main Street Corporation to rehabilitate an historic property.
The agreement lasts five years. If the business doesn’t comply to grant specifications, the organization must pay the money back; however, after five years or if the owner sells the building, the agreement is no longer binding.
Entertainment
The Downtown Entertainment Committee, through council members Pam Carter and Frank Page, reported progress to explore a possible downtown zone for entertainment, similar to other cities. “We reviewed some of their plans to review how their community is running the district and pros and cons, the struggles they’ve had and the benefits they’ve seen,” said Pam Carter.
The committee will research how other locales have handled an entertainment district, what worked and what didn’t. “We’re thoroughly investigating, and we’re in the early stages,” said Frank Page. “We move a little slow, and that’s on purpose. We want to make sure we’re doing it the right way and have the right people involved. We can’t copy what some other community is doing and try to plug that in here.”
This is a gradual process, Carter said, to find what’s right for the Shelbyville community.
The proposed zone if from 5th to 8th streets, from Blue Gables to the Old Courthouse/the Fiscal Court, and would incorporate the Shelbyville Conference & Visitors Center on 7th Street and Wakefield-Scearce on Washington.
The committee wants to start with a special events and grow as they witness how things go. “We can always expand,” Page said.
Shelbyville Police Chief Bruce Gentry and Darlene Snow, executive director of Shelby Main Street, are also on the committee.
Reappointment
Elizabeth Ariza was reappointed to the Joint Human Rights Commission for a 4-year term ending Dec. 31, 2027.
Officers
The mayor congratulated three Shelbyville Police officers at the meeting.
Officer Aaron Daniels was recognized for 2023 Leadership of the Year, and Officer Angel Lopez was named 2023 Officer of the Year.
Last but not least was Officer Justice Powers, who helped deliver a neighbor’s baby recently. According to Chief Gentry, Powers heard screams coming from a vehicle and went to help on Dec. 17.
The next meeting is Jan. 18.
