The issue involves Hinde Street and West Court Street
Washington City Council held a public meeting during their regular session on Wednesday night regarding a proposed rezoning in the downtown area.
The City Planning Commission after their November 1st meeting by a 3-1 vote recommended a rezoning of the property located at 105 North Hinde Street & 216 West Court Street owned by Curt Carey & property at 224 & 226 West Court Street owned by Joni Sword from B-2 (Downtown Business District) to B-3 (General Business District).
Six individuals including several downtown business owners & the Fayette County Ministerial Association spoke against the rezoning after a published report stated that an out of town businessman had express interest in the Carey property (formerly the First Choice Video business) as a possible "gaming" business.
Most of those opposed express concerns that this type of business may impeded other businesses from locating downtown, keep potential clients from shopping in the downtown area & major parking concerns.
Also there were concerns express about the social impact it could have on the community.
After those who opposed the rezoning, Mr. Carey stated that the inquire from the "gaming" business representative was just one of 4 inquiries that he has received including a retail business, pizza establishment & a used car dealer.
He stated that the location at North Hinde Street had at least 29 parking spaces with another 12 on the other side of the West Court Street property. One reasons for the rezoning request was in hopes of drawing a wider selection of business to locate in the downtown area.
Later in the evening council voted overwhelming to reject the recommendations from the City Planning Commission. Most of them stated that though they appreciate the commission work most of them had some of the same concerns that had been express by the public & they hoped that Mr. Carey would be still able to secure a business to come into the downtown area.
