Residents had mixed feelings about the development at Union’s most recent commission meeting. Photo by Riley Ginn | LINK nky contributor

What you need to know!

Residents had mixed opinions about the Union Landing development proposal at Monday night’s commission meeting, while officials took notes to prepare to make a final decision in December.

The public hearing addressed the zoning map amendment for the Robert E. Reeves estate, focusing on traffic, density and the area’s rural character. The proposal includes a 319-unit development at 2063 Hathaway Road.

Developer Paul Gallenstein and attorney Dan Taberki presented updated plans that reduce the project from 382 to 319 dwelling units, shifting away from apartments to condos and townhomes marketed toward empty nesters.

They emphasized preserved open space, walking trails, pickleball courts, a park and a plan to convert the historic Dr. Crouch House into a clubhouse, potentially.

Understanding NKY’s housing shortage

Our region, according to a housing strategies report released in 2025, lacks sufficient housing for young adults forming their first household; for essential workers like nurses, teachers and first responders; and for older adults. A teacher with a median annual income of $43,740, for example, can afford only 26% of the rental and 16% of the for-sale housing in the region, according to the report. For a restaurant server, only 1% of the region’s rental housing is affordable. 

An older person relying on Social Security can also afford only 1% of rental housing in the region, according to the report. 

The report, called Home for All: Northern Kentucky Housing Strategies, came to be thanks to more than 90 leaders and experts from across NKY who spent hours studying the region and its urgent housing challenge. Their goal was to close the housing gap across income levels and provide a place for everyone. 

Click here to learn more about the shortage and how NKY leaders and community members are stepping in to find solutions.

Additionally, developers said the project would help address a regional shortage of smaller, more affordable homes, particularly for moderate-income residents such as teachers, nurses and police officers.

Resident Jim Reynolds said this is why he supports the project — he thinks the area needs more options for older adults who are downsizing.

“I’m for the development primarily because I think there’s a lack of that product,” Reynolds said, referring to the proposed 55-plus community.

Other residents were less supportive of the idea, expressing worries about density, the concurrent effect of multiple simultaneous developments, and whether the project aligns with the city’s long-term vision. Several referenced the Boone County Planning Commission’s unanimous recommendation to deny the proposal.

“The development isn’t in keeping with the area’s character and will diminish our home value,” said resident Stephanie Ross.

City officials emphasized that they will make the final decision at the Dec. 15 meeting, which gives them time to review the 17–18 written comments and all public testimony. Click here to see the calendar of upcoming Union meetings.