Commissioners discuss sidewalks, fire safety and rezoning

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Bowling Green City Commissioners discussed fire suppression, sidewalks, a rezoning near the Covington neighborhood and other items during the virtual Tuesday night meeting.

During the meeting, the commission passed a municipal order that will allow some local sidewalks to be repaired.

A municipal order was approved for the purchase of nearly $100,000 of fitness equipment for the fire department, using mostly money from a grant the department received.

The commission also passed an order that would allow the purchase of some more thermal imaging equipment. This equipment allows firefighters to see through smoke and darkness and can even help find people inside of a building.

A first reading of a rezoning request for a neighboring property beside Speedway at Broadway and Covington was explained and discussed.

The goal of the rezoning would be to allow Speedway to tear down and rebuild their building and build a small parking lot.

Some people in the Covington neighborhood are opposed. The vote on the rezoning was split two to two.

Some concerns are that rezoning might set a bad precedence, while supporters say the empty lot will be surrounded with trees if rezoned, making the area prettier and creating a boundary between the business and the homes nearby.

The commissioners passed an amendment to an ordinance that will require companies that boot illegally parked cars to place the boot on the driver’s side and put a notice on the driver’s window.

This comes after cars were booted on the passenger side and drivers, unaware that they had been booted, have tried to drive off causing damage to cars and boots.

There was some disagreement on the amount for boot removal’s cap, but after discussion, $100 was set as the maximum.