Maysville annexation request spawns debate

The Maysville city council held the first of two public hearings Monday night concerning the annexation and rezoning of 118 West Freeman Drive.

The property, which is owned by Maysville resident Gary Adams, is currently only partially in the Maysville city limits.

While Adams wants his entire property annexed into Maysville, part of his terms include rezoning 18.19 of the 44.89 acres from AG to C2 (agricultural to commercial land). Because Adams does not currently have specific plans for commercial development of the land, the Maysville zoning board voted 4-1 that Adams did not meet the requirements for rezoning.

“We just don’t have enough information,” said zoning board member Steve Hart. “If he’s not going to do anything with the property, why change it? Why not come before the council when he is ready to do something with it?”

Member Bobby Jones also weighed in on the board’s recommendation.

“I have no problem with his plans. It comes down to a decision whether the city of Maysville is going to allow blanket zoning – zoning without plans,” said Jones. “If we approve it for him, we might have to approve it for a less desirable citizen. We are setting a precedent.”

Council member Kathleen Bush raised concerns questioning the zoning board’s decision.

“The whole idea is, that he could not possibly give you this information because he has nothing planned,” she said. Bush also pointed out that the commission can waive certain parts of the requirements if they feel appropriate.”

Maysville citizen Lynn Villyard spoke in opposition to the rezoning and annexation.

“At the very heart of what is wrong with it is that there is no proposal,” she said. “We have no idea what this is opening the door for. The very basic requirements have not been met for (the zoning board) to consider.”

Several council members, including Scott Harper, raised concerns that if Maysville rejects the rezoning, Jackson County would approve it and the city would lose out on possible future revenue.

The council will hold a second public hearing on the request on Dec. 11, at 6:00 p.m., before the issue is put to a vote.