The Danville City Commission unanimously approved a zone change recommendation for approximately 56 acres of land near the South Danville Bypass, from Gose Pike to Cattleman’s Roadhouse, from agriculture to multi-family residential and highway business.

The property has been in planning stages for several years, and its master plans have been reviewed publicly before.

During a public hearing on Dec. 8, 2021, eight members of the commission voted in favor of a requested zoning map revision. The planning commission made an amendment that the street access point to High Tower Road and additionally one street access point to Gose Pike would be allowed upon the city’s requirement to set access points. Adding those would create a total of five access points.

Commissioners voiced concern about the plan’s exemption from a traffic impact study. “The exit from Cattleman’s out on the bypass is historically a dangerous intersection,” Mayor Mike Perros said. “If we add another intersection up the road, it’s probably going to be equally as dangerous.”

City Engineer Josh Morgan said that with the five access points, less traffic would be concentrated at one location. More options for people to go should offer more safety, but also may slow traffic on the bypass.

City Attorney Stephen Dexter said there is already a great deal of traffic on the Danville bypass and any development would have a minor impact on traffic flow.

“It’s wonderful to see multi-family residential, with that being such a big need,” Commissioner Jennie Hollon said. A first reading of the ordinance will be prepared and read at the next meeting on Jan. 24.

The commission announced two Arts Commission citizens of the year 2021 at their meeting on Jan. 10.

Arts Citizen of the Year Gaynella McGuire has had a commitment to art since the 1970s. She is a working artist but also a teacher. She has helped secure funding for Danville and Boyle County schools for them to expand arts opportunities and special projects.

Arts Citizen of the Year David Walden, who owns Walden Funeral Home, is a long-time collector and supporter of local art. While not an artist himself, he serves on the Board of the Arts Commission and attends and participates in local art functions. He has also sponsored art exhibits at the funeral home.

At the meeting, McGuire and Walden were presented with original pieces of blue and green hanging glass art made by local artist Kathy York.

In other business, the city commission:
• unanimously approved two cemetery appointments, Linda Warren and Valerie Crawford. Warren’s term will expire Jan. 1, 2025, and Crawford’s will expire Feb. 1, 2025.
• will have a workshop in February to discuss parks projects, specifically the Boyle County fairground and Jenny Rogers Center. They will review concepts for the projects and discuss construction plans.
• discussed and approved a design for a new, simpler city logo.
• approved a construction bid from Modular Connections for a communication shelter for the new communication tower going behind the central fire station. Funding for the bid of $46,827 will come from the city’s budget for communication equipment.
• approved a motion for a new fire truck.
• Fire Chief Doug Simpson gave a fire department update. He said the pandemic has significantly increased the number of calls they receive. In 2021, they responded to 3,195 calls, which is a record high for them, whereas they had about 600 calls in 2010.