Zoning Commission Approves Construction Of Automotive Lot On U.S. 127 Bypass
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Robert Moore
Herald Staff
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The Harrodsburg-Mercer County Joint Planning and Zoning Commission approved a plan to build a 56,000-square-foot automotive sales building on the U.S. 127 Bypass.
At their regular meeting on Friday, Nov. 7, the commission approved a site plan submitted by Doug Sewell to build a new home for Sewell Motor Coach, which sells services used luxury motorhomes at their current location at 2118 Danville Road. The new location is next to the Carpenter’s Christian Church and adjacent to the Rolling Hills subdivision.
Kendal Wise of Vantage Engineering represented the applicant. Wise said a large percentage of the building will be garage and showroom . a retention basin.
Commissioners asked Wise about sewer service at the location. Wise said the applicant will use a temporary onsite sewer system and hope to connect to Rolling Hills when it develops towards the lot. Wise said the need for sewer was minimal. Commissioner Connie Allen asked if the sewage system would take the grey water from when employees cleaned the vehicles. Doug Sewell said they may install a separate tank for the wash water. Sewell said they go through 6,000 gallons of water a month.
“We don’t use a tremendous amount of water,” Sewell said. He said they currently have 16 employees and would look to expand 20 to 22 employees at the new location.
“It’s not the amount of water, it’s the cleaning compounds and how they’re going to affect the bugs,” Allen said. Sewell said they couldn’t use abrasive materials because it would damage the paint.
Sewell told the commissioners the Mercer County Health Department was searching to find the optimal location for the sewer. Requested notes for customer and employee parking and sewer.
Board Chairman Bobby Upchurch discussed the road, which would serve both the new lot and the church. Upchurch said the original plan was for an access for Rolling Hills that would eventually become a city street. Wise noted the current road would have to be rebuilt to comply with city standards.
“It doesn’t really look feasible to me to even do that,” said Commissioner Jim McGlone.
Wise said parking requirements were minimal. He said a lot of buyers buy the vehicles before they even see them. Wise noted there would be several acres of asphalt for future parking needs.
Sewell said the building would be stick-built with board siding and decorative block skirting and glass display windows. He said the back of the building and roof would be metal. The site plan was approved with conditions including adding language about parking.
This is NOT on the 127 BYPASS. They’re moving two doors south on 127.