By Allyson Dix
Glasgow News 1
Barren County moves forward with the potential adoption of countywide zoning after appointing the final members to the Barren County Land Use Committee on Aug. 4, 2026.
During its regular meeting, Barren County magistrates unanimously approved five citizen members to the land use committee.
Billy Beckham, Eric Snyder, Jamie Pendygraph, Josh Morris, and Sheila Steenbergen were selected. The five citizen representatives will join Barren County Magistrates Marty Kinslow and Tim Coomer, who were appointed July 21, 2026, by the fiscal court, and three members of the Joint City-County Planning Commission, Thomas Grubbs, Bobby Bunnell, and Ricky Houchens.
Barren County Judge/Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd said on Tuesday that citizen members will bring countywide representation to the committee. “They’re very represented throughout the entire county,” Byrd said. “A lot of them have an [agriculture] connection in some regard. I think they’ll make great representatives for our communities.”
Magistrate Marty Kinslow, who was present via Zoom at Tuesday’s meeting, said the members will bring diverse viewpoints on the topic of zoning.
“I’d like to point out that not every member of this committee is in agreement with their views of what is going on, and I am very happy that we have a diversity of viewpoints that are on this committee,” Kinslow said.
The land use committee will be tasked with drafting language on a countywide zoning ordinance that officials say could be voted on later this year. In the July 21 fiscal court meeting, Kinslow introduced the motion to direct the local planning commission to begin the process of drafting the language of land use regulations.
While Barren County has historically been hestitant toward land use and zoning, discussions have resurfaced following more recent project developments such as solar energy and data centers in Barren County.
A countywide zoning ordinance would encompass every parcel in the unincorporated parts of the county. Park City, Cave City, and Glasgow already have land use regulations and zoning. Kevin Myatt, Director of the Joint City-County Planning Commission, has explained a zoning ordinance as a “breathing, living document,” one that will have reviews and amendments each year.
Officials continue to encourage public involvement through the town hall meetings, where citizens are invited to share opinions and ask questions to better understand zoning and all that it will entail. Much of the town hall discussions have centered on data center project development; however, land use regulations for the county’s incorporated cities have approximately 100 land uses specified, Myatt previously said.
The land use committee meetings will be open to the public, and details are forthcoming for when
and where they will be held.
The final two town hall meetings are slated on Aug. 10 at Park City Elementary School and Aug. 13 at Hiseville Elementary School. Both meetings will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Additionally, a box has been placed outside the county judge-executive’s office for letters expressing support or concerns regarding zoning in Barren County.
Officials have said that all feedback, whether through the meetings, drop box, or otherwise, will be considered regarding land use regulations.
