The Paducah Planning Commission on Nov. 3 recommended that the Paducah Board of Commissioners rezone three parcels on Clark Street (2706, 2728 and 2730) from R-2, a low/medium-density residential zone, to B-3 general business to allow an expansion of Mangino Dental Care.

Planning staff told the commission the property includes a single-family home built in 1923 that is vacant and two vacant lots. Staff said the proposed addition would be about 5,550 square feet and would consolidate the three lots behind the existing dental office on South 20 Eighth Street. "This is a rezoning, from R 2 to B 3 for a dentist office expansion," staff said, and recommended approval noting adjacent medical uses and traffic patterns.

Why it matters: staff and the petitioner said the site fronts South 20 Eighth Street, a minor arterial with 2024 traffic counts of 8,893 vehicles per day, and is adjacent to other medical uses including parking for Baptist Health, Medco, an existing dentist office, LabCorp, Kentucky Cares and a chiropractor. Staff argued those conditions and the vacant lots reduce residential impacts and support a business zoning classification for the site.

Jason Goins, an engineer with Site Works representing Mangino Dental Care, told the commission the practice "is going well and...would like to expand" and described a concept site plan showing the building expansion and a proposed parking layout. He said, "They will utilize the existing entrance off of Clark Street," and that the applicant would provide the required screening where the commercial zone joins residential.

Commissioner Rhodes moved that the commission recommend approval and adopt findings of fact, including that the R-2 classification is inappropriate for the property, that South 20 Eighth Street forms the western boundary and is a minor arterial, that adjacent B-3 zoning negates spot zoning, that requirements in KRS 100.213(a) have been met, and that landscaping would be required between the proposed office and the single-family home pursuant to the Paducah zoning ordinance.

Commissioners asked the petitioner to confirm access and landscaping details. Goins said the existing entrance would remain and that "there will definitely be some landscaping" and screening provided; commissioners suggested additional plantings along Clark Street but also mentioned concern about view sheds from the parking lot.

The commission closed the public hearing with no members of the public speaking against the request and approved the recommendation by roll call. The roll-call vote recorded ayes from Commissioner Rhodes, Commissioner Benberry, Mister Chapman, Commissioner Heath, Commissioner Kaler and Chairman Wade. The motion carried; recorded tally: 6 ayes, 0 nays.

The commission’s action was a recommendation to the Paducah Board of Commissioners; final rezoning authority rests with that board. The commission adjourned and scheduled its next meeting for Dec. 1.