This week in NKY government meetings, Arlinghaus Builders is seeking zone changes in Boone County for two subdivision projects totaling over 400 homes.
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?
New Hilton, UDF potentially coming to Boone County
Developers behind two Florence franchises—United Dairy Farmers (UDF) and Comfort Inn—are seeking Boone County Planning Commission approvals to modernize their properties following Oct. 1 public hearings. UDF plans to demolish and rebuild its 8577 Dixie Highway site, seeking to rezone 1.8 acres from Industrial One to Commercial One for a redesigned complex similar to the Union Promenade location, featuring a 6,300-sq-ft store and an eight-pump canopy to better compete with the planned Wawa across the street; the request moves to the commission’s zone change committee on Oct. 15. Separately, NOKY Inc. aims to convert the Comfort Inn at 7454 Turfway Road into Spark by Hilton, adding a yellow-and-white palette and a brand-required mural, while negotiating with Hilton to address local concerns; that request is also slated for the zone change committee at 5 p.m. on Oct. 15.
Read more about the projects here.
Fort Wright interviews city council candidates
Fort Wright received nine letters of interest to fill the vacant city council seat left by Dave Abeln, who resigned last month due to increased work responsibilities. Candidates—Adam Kunsman, Brian Deye, Katie Baker, Christine Nutter, Chad McDaniel, Jason Worms, Donna Ross, Joseph Moffitt, and Joseph Abner—all currently live in Fort Wright and plan to remain through 2026. The city council interviewed the applicants in executive sessions on Oct. 7 and 9. Abeln, praised for his collaborative approach, said he hopes his successor will prioritize safety, financial security, transparency, and maintaining property values while keeping the city livable. The city expects to announce the new council member by Oct. 13 at the earliest.
Read more about the city council candidates here.
Covington weighs deadline extensions for CCR development
CCR-MN Developers, LLC., the team behind the Covington Central Riverfront Development, has asked the Covington Board of Commissioners for extensions on its land purchase closing and construction deadlines. The developer—comprising Silverman & Co., Messer Construction, and KZF Design—requested to move the land closing to Oct. 21, extend the start of construction from 120 to 180 days after closing, and lengthen the completion window from 18 to 21 months to meet financing requirements. The city, which approved $75 million in municipal financing for the project’s parking structure in July, retains the right to buy back the property if construction doesn’t begin within the new timeframe. Commissioner Tim Downing expressed frustration over repeated delays and shrinking project promises, while Assistant Economic Development Director John Sadosky assured the board that the developers are equally eager to move forward. The board plans to revisit and vote on the request at its next legislative meeting.
Read more about the deadline extension here.
Next phase of The Commons at Highland Heights could break ground by 2026
At the Highland Heights City Council meeting, officials previewed plans for Phase 1A of The Commons at Highland Heights, which would expand the park with a new playground, hammock areas, a fire pit, and other amenities near Northern Kentucky University’s Callahan Hall. City Administrator Michael Giffen said the upgrades build on the recently completed pickleball courts and aim to create a vibrant, inclusive community space with features for all ages. If approved, construction on the new phase could begin as early as spring 2026.
Read more about the next phase of the project here.
Boone County needs foster parents
At the Oct. 7 Florence City Council caucus meeting, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services clinician Clyde Jamison reported that Boone County currently has 170 children in foster care, part of 8,605 statewide and 1,224 in the Northern Bluegrass Service Region. The greatest need, he said, is for foster homes for children over age 7, especially those with health issues. Boone County’s foster children include 57 aged 0–5, 33 aged 6–11, and 80 aged 12–21. Jamison explained that children can be placed with relatives, “fictive kin” (trusted non-relatives like teachers or family friends), or non-familial foster homes, emphasizing that relative placements best preserve family connections and reduce trauma. With the foster care system operating at 85% capacity, he noted that some children are forced into “non-traditional placements,” such as sleeping in agency offices, underscoring the urgent need for more foster parents across the region.
Read more about the need for foster parents here.
New agreement will cut red tape in emergencies, Florence officals say
Boone County Emergency Management Director Kevin Vogelpohl briefed the Florence City Council on Oct. 7 about Kentucky’s new Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement, a voluntary program signed in July that streamlines emergency response coordination among local governments. The agreement allows cities like Florence to quickly request or provide assistance—such as fire, EMS, police, or public works support—during disasters without bureaucratic delays. Vogelpohl explained that the framework eliminates much of the “red tape,” enabling aid to arrive within hours instead of days. He emphasized that participation carries no extra cost to taxpayers, as cities only cover standard wages for deployed personnel, and that there are no penalties for declining requests due to local needs. The initiative aims to enhance readiness and efficiency in statewide disaster response.
Read more about the new agreement here.
Boone County Schools to convert vacant Union Kroger into preschool
The Boone County School District has purchased the former Kroger property at 8825 US-42 in Union for $4.75 million with plans to convert it into a new 300-student preschool and student registration center. Union Mayor Larry Solomon confirmed that both the main store and the adjacent strip mall are now owned by the school board, which intends to repurpose the site rather than build new due to high land and construction costs. The project will include a fenced playground in the front parking lot, and while buses will enter and exit the site, overall traffic is expected to be lower than when Kroger operated there. The old Kroger closed in 2017 when a new location opened nearby. Boone County, Kentucky’s third-largest and fastest-growing school district, has not yet announced a construction timeline, though officials anticipate the preschool opening in the coming years.
Read more about the conversion here.
Kenton County Schools OK construction bid for Piner renovations
The Kenton County Schools Board of Education has approved a $2.96 million bid from Radius Construction to complete the final phase of renovations at Piner Elementary. The project, which follows earlier upgrades from three to four years ago, will address remaining areas such as the gym, restrooms, portions of the parking lot, and various interior and exterior improvements. Radius was the lowest of six bidders, and construction is set to begin in December with completion expected by the following summer. District Chief Operations Officer Matt Rigg said the work is planned to proceed without disrupting classroom activities.
Read more about the project here.
Independence considers final approval of Freedom Park expansion
The Independence City Council is nearing a final decision on a proposed zoning change that would allow Noll Homes to expand the Freedom Park subdivision with 126 new lots on roughly 43 acres at the end of Freedom Trail. The Kenton County Planning Commission approved the plan in September, provided the developer limits density to 3.41 units per buildable acre to maintain consistency with surrounding neighborhoods. The development, marketed primarily to adults 55 and older, will feature “courtyard homes” priced between $385,000 and $536,000, with HOA fees covering yard maintenance and total estimated monthly costs ranging from $3,125 to $4,300. At Monday’s meeting, developer David Noll addressed questions about traffic, construction logistics, and compliance with a 2004 stipulation requiring heavy equipment to access the site from Wilson Road. The council, which heard no public comments, will cast its final vote on the rezoning at its Nov. 3 meeting.
Read more about the park expansion here.
What’s happening this week in local government?
Cold Spring City Council Meeting: Monday, Oct. 13
The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. at 5694 E. Alexandria Pike.
The agenda can be found here.
Fort Mitchell City Council Meeting: Monday, Oct. 13
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 2355 Dixie Highway.
What you need to know: The city council will discuss amending an ordinance related to the next mayor and city council compensation.
The agenda can be found here.
Park Hills Business Meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 14
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 1106 Amsterdam Road.
The agenda can be found here.
Dayton City Council Meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 14
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Dayton Community and Meeting Center, 625 2nd Ave.
What you need to know: The council will hear a presentation by Educate NKY regarding the Read Ready Dayton Program.
The city will also consider an order authorizing the mayor to enter into a cost-share agreement with Sanitation District No. 1 for stormwater system improvements on Riverpointe Drive to address stormwater pooling and runoff issues on that street.
The agenda can be found here.
Walton City Council Meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 14
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 44 N Main St.
The agenda can be found here.
Florence City Council Business Meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 14
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 8100 Ewing Blvd.
The agenda can be found here.
Covington Board of Commissioners Legislative Meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 14
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 20 W Pike St.
The agenda can be found here.
Fort Wright Caucus Meeting: Wednesday, Oct. 15
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 409 Kyles Lane.
The agenda can be found here.
Southgate City Council Meeting: Wednesday, Oct. 15
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 122 Electric Ave.
Villa Hills City Council Meeting: Wednesday, Oct. 15
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 719 Rodgers Road.
Boone County Planning Commission: Wednesday, Oct. 15
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 2950 Washington St.
What you need to know: Arlinghaus I, LLC is asking permission to rezone and update plans for about 135 acres of mostly agricultural and rural land in Union so they can build two new housing subdivisions totaling over 400 homes. 178 homes in Westbrook Estates, and 241 homes in West Ridge.
The agenda can be found here.
Campbell County Fiscal Court Meeting: Wednesday, Oct. 15
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at 1098 Monmouth St.
The agenda can be found here.
Newport Board of Education Special Meeting: Wednesday, Oct. 15
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 30 W. 8th St.
The agenda can be found here.
Alexandria City Council Meeting: Thursday, Oct. 16
The agenda can be found here.