Some residents raise concerns about annexation

The Corbin Planning Commission held an open hearing Tuesday afternoon, allowing citizens with question regarding the possible annexation of newly constructed Corbin Primary School and Fifth Street road all the way to the junction of Cumberland Falls Hwy.

When all was said and done, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend a P-1 zoning designation for the property, which Corbin Building Inspector Frank Burke recommended. Burke said that he had discussed the issue with City Attorney Bob Hammons, who explained to him that the P-1 designation was primarily for schools and hospitals.

The purpose of the meeting was to determine the type of zone the Commission would recommend be placed on the annexed area, and not to determine whether the city would annex the area. But some landowners were on hand with questions ranging from fire and police service to taxes and road improvements.

Commission Chairman Don Robinson explained the purpose of the meeting before any of the 21 residents in attendance voiced their opinion. He stressed that the purpose of the meeting was to simply make a recommendation as to the zoning of the potentially annexed property.

“The only thing that will come out of this meeting will be a recommendation as to what zone will be assigned to this particular property if and when the city annexes it,” Robinson said. “I just want to make that clear that all we can do is arrive at a recommendation for the zoning for that property.”

One concern for those in attendance was whether they could be forced into annexation. Burke explained that the process does not work that way and even explained that those requesting annexation could even request the type of zone their property be labeled.

“The school property being annexed will be recommended as P-1,” Burke said. “With that being said, those requesting annexation can also request what type of zoning they want their property to be. Commercial and residential are the two most common as far as that goes.”

Other issues brought to attention of the Commission were those regarding fire and police protection as well as the condition of the road leading to the school. As a result of those concerns, the Commission agreed strongly to recommend the city petition the state for possible widening of the road. As for the police and fire concerns, they also agreed to stress the importance of making sure quality coverage is within the realm of possibility.

“I would recommend that, but with that recommendation that they petition the state for possible road work,” Commission member Martha Copeland said. “I don’t think that will hurt anything to do that.”

The Corbin Independent School System requested that Corbin Primary School, and surrounding property, be annexed last April in a letter to the city’s Board of Commissioners. Officials say the move was delayed because of red
tape involving permission to annex along utility and roadway easements.

The scope of the annexation was widened to include the remainder of Fifth Street Road, and a stretch of Cumberland Falls Hwy., so that police vehicles and fire trucks that may need to respond to the school property would never
have to leave the city limits to do so. As a side effect, though, it has opened the door for scores of landowners
and businesses to come into the city if they desire.

The city undertook a similar measure when the Corbin Bypass (KY 3041) was completed. The entire bypass, and US 25 E to the Bypass, is in the city limits, though it many cases property on each side of the road remains unincorporated.