Residents concerned about proposed 75-unit development on West Washington Street
Residents question the size and density of the proposed Highland Heights development.
GLASGOW, Ky. — A proposed low-income senior housing development on West Washington Street is drawing concerns from some residents who worry the project could change the area and its historic character.
The Highland Heights development would bring 75 one-bedroom units for residents 55 and older to 318 W. Washington St., the former site of the Barren County Health Department.
Leitchfield-based Wabuck Development Company is overseeing the project.
Nine concerned residents met Wednesday evening at Los Mariachis to discuss a potential appeal of the Joint City-County Planning Commission’s recent decision to rezone the property for the development.
The Barren County Fiscal Court owns the 2.94-acre property and requested that it be rezoned from R-2 to R-4, a medium-density multifamily residential district.
The property was previously zoned R-2, a residential district intended primarily for single-family homes and other low-density residential uses, including up to four-family dwellings.
Brennan Crain
The R-4 designation allows for medium-density multifamily housing, including garden apartments, condominiums and townhouses. The district can also serve as a transition between major streets or commercial areas and lower-density residential neighborhoods.
“The street can’t support that,” said David Ridings, one of the concerned residents.
Much of the group’s concern centered on the size and density of the proposed development and how it would fit into a street with several historic homes.
The property also has historic ties. The existing building was once home to the Howard Clinic, opened by renowned local physician Dr. C.C. Howard.
At least two families are also working to restore homes along the street, including the former Dickinson homeplace, which has fallen into disrepair in recent years.
“We’ve got a lot of historic structures that people are making investments to try to restore,” said Josh Francis, one of the street’s homeowners. “The problem is you can’t piecemeal and stick random things wherever you want them and hope to preserve that image.”
Residents also raised concerns about traffic and safety and said 75 units could change the character they believe makes West Washington Street attractive.
“From a young person’s perspective, you want to move here because it’s charming and cute. When there’s nothing charming and cute, guess what? People aren’t going to live here,” said Lily Moseley, another West Washington Street resident.
The group said the number of units is its primary concern. Members said they would be more supportive of a smaller development at the site or a similar project elsewhere in the community.
The residents emphasized that their concerns are not about senior citizens or low-income housing itself, but about the scale of the project and whether 75 units are appropriate for the street.
“The buildings around the street can disturb the fabric of the neighborhood,” said Dwayne Moseley.
How the project came about
The property became vacant after the Barren County Health Department moved to the renovated U.S. Bank building on South Green Street, now known as the Barren County Development Center.
Judge/Executive Jamie Byrd previously told Barrenside the property was considered as a potential site for the planned regional driver’s licensing office.
State officials later determined the site did not meet their requirements.
After an auction bid came in well below the county’s reserve price, Barren County began working with Wabuck Development, which had expressed interest in the property. The fiscal court approved an option-to-lease agreement with the company in June.
The company is seeking grant funding before moving forward with construction.
Wabuck did not immediately respond to a Thursday request for comment.
What’s next
The rezoning has been approved by the Joint City-County Planning Commission but is not yet final. The recommendation will move to the Glasgow City Council for consideration after the commission approves its August meeting minutes in September.
The group plans to seek support beyond West Washington Street as it considers an appeal of the rezoning. Members agreed to “divide and conquer” by looking for an attorney to assist with the appeal and reaching out to the broader community.
“We’re the closest epicenter of impact, but this is going to be impactful for the whole town,” Ridings said.
Another meeting is scheduled for Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. at the South Central Kentucky Cultural Center, 200 W. Water St. in Glasgow.
