Florence City Council April 15
All City Council members and Mayor Aubuchon-Metzger were present.
AGENDA POINT 1 – First reading: Bluegrass Cannacare LLC requests a Zoning Map Amendment at 6809 Burlington Pike. The business would take over the existing building, previously a bank. Reportedly, the company cannot have more customers in the building than they have employees on staff at any time; the projected maximum is six. They will also have no more than six customer cars on site as well. Councilwoman Cable mentioned traffic issues due to the nearby church and had concerns about additional traffic caused by new businesses in the area. No discussion occurred on enforcing the six-customer, six-car condition or why locations already zoned for cannabis sales are unsuitable.
AGENDA POINT 2 – First reading: Brew Team Coffee Company wishes to open a business site at 7303 Turfway Road with entrance and exit directly onto Turfway Road. Councilwoman Cable mentioned traffic issues due to the nearby church and the interstate on/off ramps and had concerns about additional traffic at that intersection. No work was put into a requirement to have traffic come and go through the far side of the Remke parking lot onto Ky 18.
AGENDA POINT 3 – Mayor’s Report
- City of Florence offices will be closed April 18 for Good Friday
- Public Works Academy (deadline is May 9)
- Florence Aquatic Center ticket availability
- City Photo Contest
- Florence Police Department Easter Egg Hunt
- Great American Clean Up April 26
- Applications for the Florence Memorial Day Parade are due May 9
AGENDA POINT 4 – Chief Mallory reported on the appreciation ceremony for retiring Sheriff Mike Helmig; the memorial for Lieutenant Tim Chesser; and recognition for Officer Tyler Jackson for his work at Keeneland.
Public Comment: Robert Sergeant informed council that his church, 7 Hills, is in the area of Burlington Pike and Turfway Rd. The auditorium alone has a capacity of 2500 people. The church is busy on-site seven days a week and has three services on Sundays. He is very concerned about any additional traffic in the area due to the proposed Brew Team Coffee Company store and the Bluegrass Cannacare store.