Council approves Newcomb plan to move home, replace Second St. Five Star

 
RaShae Jennings discusses the Newcomb Oil Co.’s plans to move an existing home at 118 East Stephen Foster Ave. and replace the existing Five Star Food Mart at that location with a store that will appear to be historic in nature. Running time: 6 minutes, 19 seconds.

An artist’s depiction of the two-story facade that will be built as part of the new Five Star Food Mart at 2nd and East Stephen Foster. The facade will face Stephen Foster Ave. The building will be build at the front of the property by the sidewalk. Click to enlarge.

Artist’s rendering of the view of the planned Five Star Food Mart at 2nd and East Stephen Foster Ave. The fuel pumps will be moved toward the rear of the property, while the two-story part will face East Stephen Foster Ave. Click image to enlarge.

Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019 — The Bardstown City Council gave its approval Tuesday night to a Newcomb Oil project that will demolish the Five Star Food Mart at 2nd Street and East Stephen Foster Avenue and replace it with a building that will blend in with the historic buildings on the same block.

The project will also include moving the existing home Newcomb Oil owns at 118 East Stephen Foster Ave. located next to the 2nd & East Stephen Foster Five Star Food Mart.

RASHAE JENNINGS

RaShae Jennings, the city’s historic preservation coordinator, noted that Newcomb Oil plans to move the home — known as the Dobbs house — to an empty lot at 107 West Muir.

The food mart Newcomb is planning to build at the 2nd and East Stephen Foster site will look like it was originally built in the 19th century, Jennings explained. The company has agreed to the concept that includes building a two-story facade that will face East Stephen Foster. The fuel pumps will be located at the rear of the lot. The building will provide a continuous streetscape along the north side of East Stephen Foster between North Second and North Third streets.

The building will be located at the sidewalk to match the other historic buildings nearby.

The home Newcomb has approval to move is the same one the company sought permission to demolish in its 2016 when it applied to the HRB to replace its the food mart with a modern and updated store similar to the newer ones it has built in recent years.

The company cited economic hardship in its request to demolish the Dobbs House. The HRB denied the company’s request; the city council upheld that denial on appeal. At the time, Jennings said the HRB did not believe Newcomb’s request met the requirements to claim economic hardship.

However, in its current application, the company plans to move the home and maintain it as a residence under the guidelines established by the National Register of Historic Places.

On seeing the proposed design of the new Five Star Food Mart building, the Kentucky Heritage Council said the design was appropriate and will help maintain the integrity of the city’s historic district.

Councilman Joe Buckman voiced concern over the lack of detail in the drawings provided the council at this stage in the project. Jennings said she will have final approval over many of the exterior aspects of the new building.

During the review by the HRB, the board felt the project was an acceptable and appropriate given the historic preservation standards of the federal Department of the Interior and the state’s guidelines for historic preservation.

Councilman Joe Buckman said he felt the drawings he had seen so far lacked detail to insure that the planned building met the goal of replicating a period one.

“I would like to be assured that when the building is complete, its going to be the type of building that Bardstown expects to see on that lot,’ he said. “I love everything about it, but I would be assured by detailed drawings.”

Jennings said the HRB’s conditions and stipulations for the project gives give her final say on the finer details, including finishes, trim work, etc.

“When you look at the building, I don’t want you to think you’re seeing new construction. When you look at that building, I want you to think you’re seeing an 1800s Federal-style building.”

The goal for the project is so that it will flow with the rest of the historic buildings on that side of the street, she said.

MENIHAN LANE VARIANCE REQUEST. The council approved a request from developer John B. Ballard for a variance to omit curbs, gutters and sidewalks on Menihan Lane in the Tullamore Estates subdivision next to Lux Row Distillery.

MAYOR DICK HEATON

Menihan Lane was originally intended to extend to KY 245, but with the sale of the adjacent property to Lux Row for its distillery, Ballard wants to terminate Menihan Lane with a paved cul-de-sac, and to omit the requirement for sidewalks, curbs and gutters. The street will serve no additional residential areas, nor will it be used by Lux Row. The cul-de-sac will allow school buses to turn around at the end of the street.

In other business, the council:

— approved a correction in the price for the new back-up generator. Due to a typo, the bid the council approved was $48,700, not the full price of $48,790.

— approved a five-year tax assessment moratorium request from Darrell Hawkins, for property he owns at 208 East Stephen Foster Ave.

— approved the appointment of RaShae Jennings to the Wickland board. She will replace Clara Fulkerson effective 3/10/2019. Fulkerson is taking over duties handled by author, historian and former Bardstown Mayor Dixie Hibbs.

— approved reappointing the following individuals to the Bardstown-Nelson County Human Rights Commission: Mary Jane Greenwell, Janet Tonge, Karen Scout, Carrier Stivers and Pat Whelan.

NEXT UP. The council’s next meeting is its working session set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2019 (unless otherwise canceled).

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