This week in NKY government meetings, Kenton County Schools will discuss the River Ridge Elementary expansion, while the Kenton Planning Commission reviews a Fisher Homes 450-unit development proposal.
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?
Medical cannabis facility originally slated for Alexandria now approved for Wilder
A medical cannabis dispensary originally planned for an old bank on U.S. 27 in Alexandria will instead be built at a new construction site on Country Drive in Wilder, after the Wilder Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved its stage one and two plans on Nov. 24. The Michigan-based operator, C3 Industries, will open the dispensary under its “High Profile” brand with pickup-only drive-through service and expected hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, ahead of medical cannabis becoming legal statewide on Jan. 1, 2026; Wilder voters approved such operations in 2024. City officials said earlier site options fell through, and commissioners noted the location complies with the 1,000-foot buffer from schools or daycares and limits future sensitive uses nearby. The project is in the design phase with high-security features, while Alexandria officials offered no comment on the move outside the city.
Read more about the medical cannabis facility here.
Wilder UDF to be torn down, rebuilt
United Dairy Farmers’ older store at Moock Road and Licking Pike in Wilder will be demolished and rebuilt with a larger, reoriented building and a redesigned fueling area that doubles the number of gas pumps and aligns both the store and pumps parallel to Licking Pike to improve traffic flow and usability. The project requires a state traffic study for the Licking Pike entrance, with demolition expected to begin in February and last about two weeks, and the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the plans unanimously, along with variances to allow the pumps, flat roof, and higher impervious ratio.
Read more about the UDF plans here.
Residents have mixed opinions as officials mull Union Landing updates
Residents voiced divided views on the proposed Union Landing development during the November commission meeting, as officials gathered public input ahead of a final vote in December. The public hearing focused on a requested zoning map amendment for the Robert E. Reeves estate at 2063 Hathaway Road, where developers propose 319 housing units, down from 382, now emphasizing condos and townhomes aimed at empty nesters and a potential 55-plus community. Developers highlighted preserved open space, trails, recreational amenities like pickleball courts and a park, and possible reuse of the historic Dr. Crouch House as a clubhouse, arguing the project would help address Northern Kentucky’s shortage of smaller, more affordable homes for moderate-income residents. While some, like resident Jim Reynolds, supported the plan for providing downsizing options, others raised concerns about density, traffic, cumulative impacts from multiple developments, fit with Union’s rural character and long-term vision, and noted the Boone County Planning Commission’s recommendation to deny it. City officials said they will review written comments and testimony before making a final decision at the Dec. 15 meeting.
Read more about the Union Landing updates here.
Crescent Springs blocks 17-unit apartment complex plan
Crescent Springs City Council rejected a proposed 17-unit rental housing concept plan by a 4–2 vote, despite earlier approval by the Kenton County Planning Commission, after officials and residents raised concerns about traffic increases, stormwater and water retention, property values, and road access. The plan—an updated version of a long-running development idea for about an acre at Ireland Avenue and Harris Street—called for two buildings with rear-entry garages and shorter setbacks than normally required, variances that critics said were inappropriate, especially for a rental complex. Council Member Jeannine Bell Smith had appealed the planning commission’s decision to the council, and an earlier request for several members to recuse themselves added tension, but the council ultimately voted the plan down with Bell Smith, Jeff Smith, Don Kiely, and Mark Wurtenberger opposed and Bob Mueller and Carol McGowan in favor. Developers from Legacy Management said they have no immediate next steps.
Read more about the denied apartment complex plan here.
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Kenton County School Board meeting: Monday, Dec. 1
The meeting takes place at 6 p.m. in the Sanitation District Boardroom, 1045 Eaton Drive in Fort Wright.
What you need to know: The board of education will discuss the design development and construction documents for the River Ridge Elementary School site expansion project.
According to the board of education’s agenda, the bidding process is expected to occur in December, a bid award may be made in January 2026, and construction may begin in March 2026 with completion scheduled for August 2026. Additional concrete sidewalk and curb replacement was added to the scope of work from the original design in 2023, which increased the project estimate by $500,000. The total estimated project cost is $4,500,000
The agenda can be found here.
Highland Heights City Council meeting: Monday, Dec. 1
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 176 Johns Hill Road.
Union Commission meeting: Monday, Dec. 1
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 1843 Bristow Drive.
The agenda can be found here.
Wilder City Council meeting: Monday, Dec. 1
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 520 Licking Pike.
Boone County Fiscal Court meeting: Tuesday, Dec. 2
The meeting starts at 8:30 p.m. at 2950 Washington St. in Burlington.
What you need to know: The fiscal court will discuss a first reading of a request with a condition of K4 Architecture (applicant) for United Dairy Farmers, Inc., for a zoning map amendment from industrial to commercial for an approximate 0.5-acre area, being the north portion of the property located at 8577 Dixie Highway. They will also discuss a change of concept development plan for an approximate 1.2-acre area, being the south portion of the property, which is currently zoned commercial one, and a conditional use permit to allow a gas filling station.
The agenda can be found here.
Covington Commission caucus meeting: Tuesday, Dec. 2
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 20 W Pike St.
The agenda can be found here.
Elsmere City Council caucus: Tuesday, Dec. 2
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 3921 Dixie Highway.
The agenda can be found here.
Erlanger City Council meeting: Tuesday, Dec. 2
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 505 Commonwealth Ave.
The agenda can be found here.
Campbell County Fiscal Court meeting: Wednesday, Dec. 3
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the Alexandria Courthouse at 8352 E Main St.
The agenda can be found here.
Fort Wright City Council meeting: Wednesday, Dec. 3
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 409 Kyles Lane.
Kenton County Planning and Development meeting: Thursday, Dec. 4
The meeting starts at 6:15 p.m. at 1840 Simon Kenton Way in Covington.
What you need to know: Fisher Homes, per Amanda Webb on behalf of Kelly Real Estate Co LLC and Briarwood Dev Inc., are requesting a district map amendment and development plan to the Covington Neighborhood Development Code, changing the area from Suburban Residential to Semi-Urban Residential.
The applicant is proposing a new development with 450 total dwelling units, including a mix of attached and detached single-family, two-family, carriage houses, and condominium/apartment-style dwellings, with a total density of 6.1 dwelling units per acre at 1405 and 1459 Hands Pike in Covington. It is an area of approximately 73.897 acres, west of Taylor Mill Road and east and south of Ken Drive.
The agenda can be found here.
Alexandria City Council meeting: Thursday, Dec. 4
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 8236 West Main St.
The agenda can be found here.