The Fiscal Court discussed the issue of Boyle County taking over a portion of Old Stanford Road at their meeting on March 12.

The portion of the road starts at a curve that leads to Grace Baptist Church, some houses, and a sludge farm.

County resident Mark Henson explained that the road is in major disrepair after not being kept up for 30 years. The county found that the city of Danville paved the road about 30 years ago, but then could not keep it up because it’s outside the city limits.

County Administrator Julie Wagner said the Fiscal Court was never officially asked to take over the road. The portion of the road also has a small bridge, which is not on the state’s bridge list.

Wagner said that a plat filed in 1991 shows that the road ends just beyond the bridge, but is not a dedicated road. Another plat filed in 2010 shows the road as an easement. However, no plat showed it as a dedicated road.

In order for the county to take over the road, Planning and Zoning needs a plat showing it as a dedicated road.

If the county takes over the road, the state will have to inspect the bridge. Magistrates were concerned that the state could condemn the bridge, but agreed that safety should be the priority in their decision.

After much discussion, the court passed a motion to start the process to plat the road, inspect the bridge, and see what needs to be done to make it a county road.

The court heard a presentation by Anthony and Andrea Margida about their new nonprofit called Launch Town.

Anthony Margida explained that Launch Town is a nonprofit organization that helps and mentors new entrepreneurs with their start-ups, helping bring them from ideas to market entry.

They will have a physical location in downtown Danville to serve as a storefront for different startups to sell their products. It will also have an industrial kitchen for participating food businesses to use.

Margida requested that the court provide major funding for the nonprofit. He requested start-up funding of $47,500, and $150,000 annually for the next three years.

Magistrates and local leaders in attendance explained that this type of mentoring for new businesses is not currently offered elsewhere in the county by related organizations.

Danville Boyle County Development Corporation President J.J. Harris said this is a gap area that the county should meet. He said the DBCDC works to market tax credits and property for businesses to move to or start in the county, but they do not mentor small businesses.

Magistrate Jamey Gay said he believes that the community has been underdeveloped in terms of economic development, and believes that Launch Town would emphasize small business development and growth.

Magistrate Steve Sleeper said he believes small businesses are very important to the community, and Launch Town would fill a gap in helping businesses succeed.

Other magistrates said they believe the responsibility of mentoring small businesses should fall under organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Foundation, or DBCDC; and that the nonprofit should seek funding from other sources.

Magistrates Jason Cullen, Tom Ellis and Paula Bodner said they would not support giving such significant funding for Launch Town, but may be open to giving a smaller amount.

The county will discuss the matter further during their budget discussion meetings for the next fiscal year.

In other business: 

• The court passed a zone change for 175 KY Hwy 2141 to rezone 9.17 acres from agricultural to single-family residential. The property will have a new subdivision, and a new sewer pump station will have to be installed.
• The court passed the first reading of Ordinance 920.23 regarding the Historic Overlay District for the Joint Zoning Ordinance with the City of Danville. The ordinance amends articles one, two, four, and seven of the Zoning Ordinance of Boyle County. It will bring the Architectural Heritage Board under the Planning and Zoning Commission instead of the City of Danville. The board will be administratively incorporated with the regulations of P&Z. The Danville City Commission also approved the change.

• The court passed a motion to extend the moratorium on solar farms, or any merchant electric generating facilities (wind and solar), for six months starting April 1. Magistrates said they need more time to look at ordinances by other counties, and research how to hold companies accountable for decommissioning over time.
• The court gave years of service appreciation certificates to Fred Edwards for five years, and Lee Miller for 25 years.