Beech Tree News Network

The city of Morgantown's Board of Adjustments met Thursday night, January 3, before a crowd of mostly Chickasaw Drive residents.  The Board held a hearing to consider an application by Gilbert Hack for a Conditional Use Permit for a modular home to use as a warehouse on 356 Chickasaw Drive, just of KY 70 West (Rochester Road).

Board member Roger Southerland led the hearing.  After the Board determined that warehousing is allowed in an industrial zone and after detailing what restrictions were needed for this permit, Southerland heard public comments from Chickasaw Drive residents.  Kenny Cox was one of many who voiced concerns that their property values would decrease if Hack were granted the permit.  Southerland responded that usage on industrial property is the legal issue of the permit, not the effect on property values.  In response to questions from the audience, Southerland said the 10-year-old maximum age of a modular home in the city does not apply if the building is used only for storage.  

After the hearing, the Board approved the Conditional Use Permit on a 4-0 vote, with Board member Woody Martin abstaining due to a conflict of interest since he lives on Chickasaw Drive.  The permit has certain restrictions, notably that no materials may be stored outdoors without screening and that access to the building must be from Industrial Drive instead of Chickasaw Drive.