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The Stanford Police Department (SPD) kicked the 2024 year off with 714 contacts through 911 in January, according to a monthly report given to Stanford City Council members. 

SPD officers wrote 67 citations in January and gave 47 warnings. There were 11 arrests reported for the month and officers responded to a total of 20 accidents. A total of 21 incidents/cases were reported. 

Police Chief Zach Middleton updated the City Council on recent hires. Kenneth Archer has been hired to fill the final vacant patrol position. Archer has completed all required pre-certification testing and has started his Field Training Officer process. He will continue working and completing pre-academy training until his departure for basic training in July. 

Middleton said Bluegrass 911 is close to rolling out a new CAD (computer-aided dispatch) system that will bring about several changes. 

“We are sure there will be some bumps along the way as will all major changes and new systems, but this should benefit all emergency service agencies including SPD and SFD (Stanford Fire Department),” Middleton said. 

Criminal activity has been slower than usual so far in 2024, Middleton said. 

“This is not a bad thing as this means thefts, drug activity are lower,” he said. “This time of year is typically a lower activity time in general but the inclement weather we had for two weeks probably helped contribute to January totals.” 

The Stanford Fire Department (SFD) responded to a total of 63 incidents in January. 

From Jan. 1 to Jan. 31, SFD reported the following incidents: 

• building fire – 2
• road freight or transport vehicle fire – 1
• medical assist, assist EMS crew – 18
• EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury – 20
• motor vehicle accident with no injuries – 1
• gasoline or other flammable liquid spill – 1
• gas leak (natural gas or LPG) – 2
• service call, other – 2
• public service – 1.
• dispatched & canceled en route – 7
• no incident found upon arrival at dispatch address – 1.
• authorized controlled burning – 3.
• smoke scare, odor of smoke – 2.
• alarm system activation, no fire, unintentional – 2.

During its December meeting, The Stanford Planning and Zoning Commission discussed a planned housing development on Betsy Lane and Powers Court, which was brought before the board during the Nov. 30 meeting. 

Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Knouse reported that all lots on the proposed development on Powers Court were conforming lots and that the water department would be adding six-inch lines with four water taps and fire hydrants to accommodate the development. 

The development originally planned to have eight lots but due to the replacement of an existing water line, one lot had to be dropped from the plan. 

The updated proposal is now for seven lots with houses with potential of adding an additional four acres in the future. 

The P&Z commission accepted the proposed development without sidewalks or curb and guttering to conform with the existing neighborhood, according to the meeting minutes. 

The zoning commission also discussed an R-2 zone on Old Fort Road where a builder wishes to place a four-plex apartment unit. A four-plex similar to the one he wants to build already exists, despite the R-2 zone. 

“It was decided that the builder may apply for a zone change taking the property from R-2 to R-4 in order to be in compliance,” the minutes state.

Stanford Code Enforcement gave 16 verbal warnings in January, according to the monthly report. 

There was one sign permit and two certificates of occupancy granted. 

A total of 164 business licenses were issued or renewed in January.