This week in government meetings, Covington plans to discuss a committee on the form of government transition, and Kenton County will talk about fiscal year budget adjustments.
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 in NKY government last week?
Florence prepares for potential medical cannabis businesses
Florence city council passed two ordinances to prepare for potential medical cannabis facilities within the city. The ordinances provide text amendments to the Boone County zoning regulations and add a chapter to the city code of ordinances outlining regulations of permits, setting fees and licensing procedures. The city has received hundreds of calls on dispensaries, and there are 118 available parcels within the city.
Read more about the preparation here.
Nearly 300-unit Florence housing development approved
Florence City Council has approved a zoning change for a 28.75-acre property along Gunpowder Road, allowing the development of 264 condos and 26 single-family homes. The project will be rolled out in phases, with the first phase starting in 2025. The development will include a pool and shelter, and the streets within the condo area will be private. The project must follow the revised plan presented, and the developer must conduct and submit a traffic impact study with the first major site plan. The condos will go for $250,000, and the project will include owner-occupied condos.
Read more about the housing development here.
Fort Wright environmental non-profit seeks expansion in city
The Banklick Watershed Council, a Fort Wright-based environmental non-profit, is considering expanding its reach to include a 6.8-acre plot of land adjacent to the TANK Park-n-Ride and Highland Pike. The land is majority floodplain and floodway, which store floodwaters and reduce the risk of flooding in the watershed. The council is interested in preserving ecological features like these, and representatives from the council and the Kenton County Conservation District attended a recent Fort Wright city council caucus meeting to discuss the current state of the land and future plans.
Read more about the expansion here.
‘True affordable housing’ may be coming to Boone County
Louisville-based developer LDG Multifamily is seeking a zone-change request to build a 312-unit multi-family residential development in Boone County. The development is intended for people with incomes between $44,000 and $62,000 for a one-person household, with onsite amenities including a swimming pool, dog park, playground and clubhouse. The proposed development is intended to provide affordable housing for families with incomes at or below 60% of the area median income, including certain professions such as teachers, firefighters, nurses, police officers, and entry-level workers. The Boone County Planning Commission has recommended approval of the zone change request, and the fiscal court will conduct a second reading of the ordinance.
Read more about the housing project here.
Highland Heights receives grant for sidewalk project, greenlights pickleball courts
Highland Heights has received a $3 million grant for the first phase of its two-phase project for sidewalk additions from the I-471 intersection to Renshaw Road. The city also discussed a resolution that would allow the city to take the next steps in designing the new pickleball court as part of the greenspace study announced earlier this year. The $16,500 project will dig into the ins and outs of the project’s design and amenities with the city’s engineers to help bring the new city addition to life.
Read more about the grant here.
Erlanger named Small Business Saturday champion
Erlanger has been named a Neighborhood Champion for Small Business Saturday, a program aimed at supporting local businesses during the busiest shopping season. The title comes with benefits such as merchandise for giveaways to attract customers. Studies show that 68% of every dollar spent at local businesses stays in the community, compared to about 43% for nationwide chain businesses. Small Business Saturday is always the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which falls on Nov. 30 this year.
Read more about the program here.
Fort Thomas mulls zoning changes
Fort Thomas City Council has begun the process of approving a new zoning ordinance plan, which combines both zoning and subdivision regulations. The council held the first reading of the proposed Unified Development Ordinance, which removes some items in response to council and public concerns. The Fort Thomas Avenue Overlay was removed from the final ordinance document, as well as city mural regulations. The historic overlay for homes in Tower Park was also up for discussion. Council members will set up meetings to go over concerns and issues and give them more information for their final considerations and decisions before a second reading of the UDO.
Read more about the zone change here.
Newport police department considers adding more Teslas to fleet
Newport is considering adding two more Teslas to its police fleet following the success of a pilot program with three 2023 Tesla Model 3 vehicles. The department has spent $224 on electricity in the year they used the Teslas, which equates to $3,449 in fuel savings. The department plans to move its Dodge Durango vehicles out of administration and into patrol as they are more expensive. The Teslas are not currently used as patrol vehicles but for administration only.
Read more about the Teslas here.
Edgewood leaders hopeful for new Kroger to open by spring
Northern Kentucky’s newest Kroger storefront is set to open in the spring of 2025 on a long-vacant lot along Dixie Highway in Edgewood. The store will replace the former K-Mart site and will have a mid-sized storefront similar in footprint to its Fort Mitchell store, with an attached pharmacy and liquor outlet, a curbside pick-up zone, and a fuel center. The $25 million investment will employ as many as 250 associates once open.
Read more about the new Kroger here.
Union grapples with potential Election Day ballot errors
The Union Commission discussed the possibility of residents receiving the wrong ballots on Election Day, but no conclusion was reached. City Commissioner Doug Bine had received reports from voters, and the city’s attorney, Jeff Voss, admitted that a recount would not provide insight into how many wrong ballots were cast. The commissioners disagreed on what a successful challenge might entail, and the city’s attorney, Steve Megerle, sent settlement offers to the commissioners and the county, asking them to preemptively reject the election results and agree to a new round of voting. The commissioners took no official action on the matter.
Read more about the ballot errors here.
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Crescent Springs City Council: Monday, Nov. 25
Those who want to attend the meeting should go to 739 Buttermilk Pike at 6 p.m.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
The Kenton County Fiscal Court will discuss fiscal year budget adjustments.
Kenton County Fiscal Court meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 26
Aside from the budget adjustments, the fiscal court will also discuss various board appointments such as the re-appointment of Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann to the Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments Board of Directors.
Those who want to attend the meeting should go to 1840 Simon Kenton Way at 5:30 p.m.
The agenda can be found here.
The Covington Board of Commissioners with discuss establishing a “Committee on Form of Government Transition”
Covington Board of Commissioners Caucus meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 26
Background on the government change: Covington residents voted in favor of changing the city’s municipal government structure from its current city manager form to a mayor-council form. The newly elected city commission will begin the process of transitioning the government come the new year. The mayor-council form places more executive authority in the office of the mayor, granting the mayor greater latitude in running the city on a day-to-day basis.
Read more about the government change here.
Those who want to attend the meeting should go to 20 West Pike Street at 6 p.m.
The agenda can be found here.
Florence City Council: Tuesday, Nov. 26
Those who want to attend the meeting should go to 8100 Ewing Boulevard at 6 p.m.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
