Richardsville may soon be getting its own convenience store with gas pumps.

The rural community in northern Warren County, which for years has experienced a dearth of grocery and gas options, is poised to add to its amenities after action taken Dec. 5 by the City-County Planning Commission of Warren County.

In a 7-0 vote, the planning commission approved the application of James Cook & Associates and the estate of Bessie Runner to rezone from agriculture to general business 2.25 acres at the confluence of Richardsville Road, Richardsville Bypass, and Ezra Whalen Road.

The rezoning paves the way for Cook to develop a 5,000-square-foot convenience store with gas pumps on the property.

Cook and attorney Shannon Morgan made the case in their application that the store is needed, pointing out that the only fuel sales and grocery in Richardsville closed several years ago, but they still met with some concerns from nearby residents.

Tericasey Campbell, who lives on Richardsville Bypass, raised questions about the impact of artificial lighting from the store and the increased traffic.

Two other speakers expressed concerns about stormwater runoff and traffic, but the application passed unanimously after Cook and Morgan agreed to a buffering of evergreen and deciduous trees around the property and a prohibition of car washes or oil change operations.

Morgan said the store is expected to operate from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily, with fuel sales at the pump available 24 hours a day.

In other action at the Dec. 5 meeting, Luke Williams of Skees Development Group won approval for a development plan amendment that will mean more single-family detached houses and fewer attached (twinhome) residences on a 31-acre tract along Round Bale Avenue and Bluestem Circle near Rich Pond Road.

The new plan calls for the number of detached lots to go from 69 to 88 and the number of attached structures to go from 70 to 36. The detached houses will be at least 1,400 square feet, and the twinhome residences will be at least 1,200 square feet.

Also approved was the application of Housing Assistance and Development Services Inc. to rezone 0.6 acres at 215 E. 12th Ave. from multi-family residential to central business in order to utilize the existing structure as a church and event space.

The next planning commission meeting is scheduled for Dec. 19, with a proposed 89-lot residential subdivision development along Plano Road on the agenda.