This week in NKY government meetings, Cold Spring considers a zone text amendment that could pave the way for a Culver’s in the city.
Keep reading to find out what happened in local government over the past week and what you need to know for this week.
What happened last week in NKY government?
Students take over Southgate City Council meeting
Southgate’s first December city council meeting took on a special format as students from Southgate Independent and St. Therese schools filled council members’ seats for the city’s annual “kids’ council” night. The event invites students to take part in local government by presenting reports, reading scripts, and explaining the roles of various city departments. As parents looked on, students were guided to the seats of the officials they represented, including roles such as the city attorney and public works foreman, sharing updates like Christmas tree recycling plans. Optimist Club president Tom Paolucci said the tradition allows both youth and city leaders to learn from each other. Mayor Jim Hamberg reflected on past participants who later went on to college, noting how meaningful the experience can be. The evening ended with students receiving certificates recognizing their participation.
Read more about the student takeover here.
Highlands Heights donates nearly 1,000 pounds of food to local outreach program
At the Dec. 2 Highland Heights city council meeting, officials reported that the community contributed nearly 1,000 pounds of food to the Pantry of Hope during the city’s Thanksgiving food drive, a response they described as overwhelmingly generous. After putting out a call for donations in November, councilmembers and staff helped collect and organize contributions, with Deborah Ball and Jesse Hockenbury noting how meaningful it was to support residents in need. City Administrator Michael Giffen said the drive was especially important as the Pantry of Hope has faced a recent surge in requests, and Mayor Greg Meyers praised citizens for stepping up on short notice and said he hopes to double donations next year.
Read more about the donations here.
Plan for NKY’s first Jaggers restaurant advances
Boone County is moving closer to welcoming Northern Kentucky’s first Jaggers restaurant, as the Boone County Planning Commission has recommended approval—under 16 conditions—of a concept plan for a 3,500-square-foot drive-thru location on Houston Road in Florence. The fast-casual chain, owned by Texas Roadhouse, proposes a 93-seat restaurant with two drive-thru lanes on a 1.55-acre parcel situated between Family Allergy & Asthma and Texas Roadhouse. Conditions attached to the plan focus on improving the building’s exterior, managing traffic flow, enhancing cross-access with neighboring businesses, and upgrading site aesthetics through coordinated lighting, landscaping, and mechanical screenings. Representatives for Jaggers and Texas Roadhouse addressed parking concerns, noting that the site includes sufficient spaces and that construction could begin as early as April. The final decision now goes to the Boone County Fiscal Court, which holds zoning authority.
Read more about the Jaggers restaurant here.
Boone County Christian School seeks zoning amendment to operate at Potter’s Ranch
Union Pointe Christian Academy, a small private school operated by the Robert Lightner Foundation, is preparing to upgrade and formally legalize its facilities on the Potter’s Ranch property in Boone County after the Fiscal Court advanced a zoning map amendment that would allow school operations on the site. The school, which moved from Florence Baptist Church to Potter’s Ranch and currently uses the ranch’s 22,700-square-foot Family Life Center, had been cited for a zoning violation because the land is designated Recreational One, a classification that prohibits schools. The proposed amendment would add a planned development overlay permitting the school to operate legally, renovate its building for up to 100 preschool–12th grade students, and potentially construct an additional school in the future. Planning officials and Potter’s Ranch representatives said the existing building already contains rooms suitable for classrooms, and the Planning Commission has recommended approval. The amendment now awaits a second reading by the Boone County Fiscal Court.
Read more about the zoning amendment here.
Erlanger finalizes zoning for 450-unit Corporex development
Erlanger City Council has finalized zoning for Corporex’s long-planned 450-unit residential development along Dolwick Drive, approving the shift from a business park designation to multi-family zoning and granting a waiver to remove the requirement for detached garages. The 46-acre site—mostly in Erlanger with a sliver in Crescent Springs—has been owned by Corporex since the 1980s and is currently vacant but graded for development. Plans call for six four-story buildings, 550 parking spaces, and amenities including a pool, clubhouse, tennis courts, and hiking trail, with market-rate rents projected between $1,500 and $1,900. Regional leaders, citing a housing shortage identified in recent NKADD studies, supported the project, while developers said the apartments could help attract employers to nearby Circleport. The council approved the zoning with only one abstention and opted not to hold an additional public hearing, as no residents came forward to comment.
Read more about the 450-unit development here.
Assistant Campbell County Attorney retires, honored by county
Assistant Campbell County Attorney Bob List is retiring after more than three decades of service, and county leaders honored him Wednesday for his precision, professionalism, and lasting impact since joining the office in 1990. Officials, including County Attorney Steve Franzen, Police Chief Craig Sorrell, Sheriff Mike Jansen, and Judge/Executive Steve Pendery, praised List’s calm, reliable approach to complex legal matters and his deep institutional knowledge, noting his career path from NKU and Chase College of Law to roles in Newport and then Campbell County. List was named an honorary deputy sheriff and received a commemorative watch engraved with “open records king,” reflecting his reputation and long-standing service to the county.
Read more about the retirement here.
Fort Thomas appoints Andy Ellison as interim mayor
Fort Thomas City Council unanimously appointed councilmember Andy Ellison as interim mayor during a special Dec. 2 meeting, filling the vacancy left by Mayor Eric Haas, who stepped down to focus on his recovery after a September stroke. Ellison, who has served on council since 2022 and chairs multiple committees, thanked the city for its trust as residents and officials voiced strong support for his appointment, including statements from community members and State Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer. A letter from Haas’ family, read aloud at the meeting, praised his decades of public service and affirmed his need to step back for health reasons. Ellison has announced a campaign for mayor, but has not yet officially filed; one other candidate has filed so far. With Ellison’s move to the mayor’s office, the council must now appoint a new member and is accepting letters of intent through Dec. 10, with discussions planned for its Dec. 15 meeting.
Read more about the appointment here.
Union approves multiple board, leadership appointments
The Union City Commission filled several key positions and reassigned leadership roles during its Monday meeting, approving board appointments and superintendent assignments for the coming year. Richard Wilkinson was sworn in as an alternate member of the Union-Walton Joint Code Enforcement Board beginning Jan. 1, 2026, while James Lyle was appointed as a full board member and Bobby McDonald as a part-time code enforcement officer. Commissioners also received new departmental responsibilities: Kimberly Tuyn was named to the OKI Regional Council of Governments board, George Eldridge was appointed superintendent of Community Engagement and Communications, Douglas Bine to Public Works, and John Mefford to Physical Planning and Finance, with Mefford also selected as Mayor Pro Tem. All appointments were approved unanimously.
Read more about the board appointments here.
Union leaders oppose Florence’s proposed 300-plus unit apartment development
Union city leaders are pushing back against a proposed Florence residential development that would bring more than 300 apartment units to undeveloped land along Old U.S. 42, arguing the project would worsen traffic congestion and strain public safety. Discussed during the Nov. 17 caucus meeting, the plan involves Florence annexing two private parcels and purchasing Duke Energy land to extend Bowman Way as the complex’s primary access point, after developers rejected a secondary entrance from Longbranch Road due to the high cost of building a bridge over Fowler’s Fork Creek. Union officials cited nearby projects—including a Publix grocery store and a new daycare—as additional pressures on an already crowded U.S. 42 and said they still have not received the traffic study Florence promised earlier in the year. All commissioners expressed opposition, prompting the city to consider—but postpone—making part of Old U.S. 42 a one-way street to manage future traffic. Union leaders plan to continue evaluating the development as more information becomes available.
Read more about the opposed development here.
Kenton County Schools OK final River Ridge renovation plans
The Kenton County Schools Board of Education unanimously approved the final development plan for major circulation and safety renovations at River Ridge Elementary in Villa Hills, clearing the way for the project to go out to bid, with construction expected to begin in March. The $4.5 million project, originally planned in 2023 but delayed due to easement issues, aims primarily to resolve severe “stacking” along Amsterdam Road during student drop-off and pickup times by creating a long looping access road and a new 90-space parking lot capable of holding about 150 queued cars. Additional improvements include drainage fixes, expanded playground space, new sidewalks, and a walkway connecting the school to Sanctuary Village. District leaders said addressing traffic safety remains the top priority and hope to finalize a contractor by January and finish the work before the next school year.
Read more about the renovation plans here.
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Cold Spring City Council special meeting: Monday, Dec. 8
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 5694 E Alexandria Pike.
What you need to know: The city will hold a second reading to consider amending its special development area zone, also known as the SDA zone. The council ceremoniously voted 3-2 against the changes during the first reading in November. The change would pave the way for a Culver’s restaurant to locate in the city.
Read more about the possible zone text change here.
The agenda can be found here.
Fort Mitchell: Monday, Dec. 8
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.at 2355 Dixie Highway.
The agenda can be found here.
Park Hills: Monday, Dec. 8
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 1106 Amsterdam Road.
The agenda can be found here.
Campbell County Planning and Zoning: Tuesday, Dec. 9
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 1098 Monmouth St in Newport.
The agenda can be found here.
Kenton County Fiscal Court: Tuesday, Dec. 9
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at 5272 Madison Pike in Independence.
The agenda can be found here.
Covington Commission caucus meeting: Tuesday, Dec. 9
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 20 West Pike St.
The agenda can be found here.
Dayton City Council: Tuesday, Dec. 9
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 625 2nd Ave.
The agenda can be found here.
Elsmere City Council: Tuesday, Dec. 9
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 3921 Dixie Highway.
Florence City Council: Tuesday, Dec. 9
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 8100 Ewing Blvd.
The agenda can be found here.
Bellevue City Council: Wednesday, Dec. 10
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 322 Van Voast.
The agenda can be found here.
Taylor Mill City Council: Wednesday, Dec. 10
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 5225 Taylor Mill Road.
The agenda can be found here.
Boone County Board of Education: Thursday, Dec. 11
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 99 Center St. in Florence.
The agenda can be found here.