Thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your support for the proposed Planning and Zoning Text amendments regarding Articles 2 and 7. Your activism is vital to the health of our community, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to make your voices heard.

I share your sentiments deeply. As one of the fiercest advocates for preservation on the Fiscal Court, I view our farmland as a precious and finite resource that defines the character of Woodford County. My commitment to protecting our agricultural heritage is at the core of my service, and I have consistently led on this issue. My track record of advocacy includes:

Support for the Woodford County Rural Land Board: I am actively working to identify a specific funding mechanism for the board's efforts to purchase property development rights (PDRs). This approach uses market-driven forces to ensure our farmlands are preserved for future generations while helping our community's farmers leverage the potential value of their land to ensure their economic security.

Eliminating Tourist Destination CUPs: I have advocated for the elimination of the Tourist Destination and Tourist Destination Expanded Conditional Use Permits (CUP) within the proposed text amendment. This change is intended to guard against potential abuse of those provisions.

Barrel Warehouses out of Ag Zones: I successfully fought to eliminate the A-1 CUP for barrel warehouses, ensuring they are correctly classified as a commercial use rather than an agricultural one.

Strong opposition to the NW Corridor bypass: My opposition is focused on preserving farmland and preventing the sprawl of the Urban Service Boundary. This is also a matter of public safety, ensuring our neighbors can travel Midway Road without a massive increase in traffic—specifically commercial vehicles looking for a shortcut between the Blue Grass Parkway and I-64.

Solar "Farm" Restrictions: Ensuring solar installations are located in commercial zones rather than being allowed via a CUP in Agricultural zones.

Annexation Reform: Advocating for changes to the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) regarding cities’ unchecked annexation of unincorporated county areas for development.

Regarding the current proposal, I have spent many hours reviewing the amendments for Articles 2 and 7 and fully support the thoughtful, hard work of the Planning Commission. To build upon their excellent foundation, I have identified some additional enhancements that will make the ordinances even stronger for preservation while ensuring they are fair for all Woodford County farm families.

Here’s a summary of my edits:

701 AGRICULTURAL (A-1)

701.2C – Under “Principle Uses,” adding “public” before parks, as there is no definition of “parks.”

701.9C – Strike the “s” for Accessory Dwelling

701.9D – Under “Special Provisions,” in the “In-Family Conveyance Lots”

· Minimum lot size of 1 acre

· 2 in-family conveyance lots for parcels 31+ acres (remaining primary parcel must be at least 30 acres)

· Primary and conveyed parcels must be held for at least 5 years with said period to commence only after the grantee has established residency in a primary residence constructed on the conveyed property

· Enforcement Mechanism: 5 year holding period not to begin until issuance of certificate of occupancy

· Restrictive Covenant with reverter clause recorded on deed

· Exception of court order or substantial hardship

· Water service certification

702 CONSERVATION DISTRICT (CO-1)

702.6 – Minimum lot size to remain at 30 Acres

703 RURAL RESIDENTIAL RR / RESIDUAL FARMLAND (RF) DISTRICT

703.7 – Minimum lot size to remain at 1 Acre

703.11(3) – Residual farmland maintain single, contiguous, and regularly shaped tract to facilitate the use of industrial farm machinery

703.11(4) – Water service certification

704 SMALL COMMUNITY DISTRICTS

704.3D – Under “Principle Uses,” adding “public” before parks, as there is no definition of “parks.”

704.4B – Clarify accessory uses to be “one” accessory dwelling (removing “apartment”), private garage, or parking area.

704.4F – Strike the “s” for Accessory Dwelling

For more context on my perspective and these proposed changes, I invite you to watch this video where I discussed these issues with Judge/Executive James Kay: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1C8yeYSeNL/

Thank you again for your dedication to Woodford County. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have further questions as we work together to protect our land.

Sincerely,

Liles Taylor
Magistrate, District 1
Woodford County Fiscal Court
ltaylor@woodfordcountyky.org
859.533.1897


“Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.” — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.