What you need to know!
- Florence plans to annex land for a proposed apartment development.
- Union officials oppose the development, arguing that it would strain an already congested area.
- City officials have yet to receive a traffic study conducted by Florence.
- The City proposed an ordinance to convert Frontage Road to a one-way road.
City leaders oppose a proposed residential development in Florence that could add over 300 apartment units to undeveloped land along Old U.S. 42, citing significant concerns about traffic congestion and public safety.
During the Nov. 17 caucus meeting, Union Mayor Larry Solomon and city commissioners discussed the project as part of broader development updates in the area. The proposed multi-family development is planned for two parcels of land designated by the City of Florence.
A study of housing in Northern Kentucky has revealed troubling trends for housing in the region, with the largest need being for “workforce housing” for households earning between $15 and $25 per hour, with monthly housing costs between $500 and $1,500. The region needs about 3,000 more housing units to provide for people within that income range, according to the study. The demand for one- to two-bedroom rentals and owned properties consistently exceeds their supply, while supply for three and four-bedroom properties consistently exceeds demand. The study suggests that the region needs to build 6,650 housing units to support economic development in the next five years, which equates to 1,330 units per year. Read more here!
Understanding NKY’s housing shortage
Florence plans to annex two privately owned properties. It also intends to purchase part of Duke Energy’s land to construct a road from Bowman Way, which will serve as the main entrance to the apartment complex.
Developers initially proposed a secondary access point from Longbranch Road, but rejected it because of the substantial cost of constructing a bridge over Fowler’s Fork Creek.
“The developers did not want to build a bridge because of the cost,” Mayor Solomon said.
Longbranch Road borders the proposed development to the west, Bowman Way to the east, and Old U.S. 42 to the south.
Commissioners also highlighted several ongoing developments nearby, including a new Publix grocery store and a daycare facility planned for the former Kroger site. City leaders noted that these projects—along with the proposed apartment complex—would add more pressure on U.S. 42.
“With everything already coming to this area, adding another large residential development will only increase traffic on U.S. 42,” Commissioner Bine said.
Union officials have asked the City of Florence for a study of the traffic impact. Florence representatives say they have completed the study, but Union leaders claim they have not yet received the results.
“They first came to us in June 2024, and we brought this project to the commission in a public forum,” Solomon said. “They were supposed to conduct a traffic study, but we have not received the results.”
All members of Union’s city commission expressed opposition to the development, citing quality-of-life concerns for residents and long-term infrastructure impacts.
In response to increasing development pressure, union officials considered converting part of Old U.S. 42, also known as Frontage Road, into a one-way street. City leaders recognized that this change would affect residents living on Frontage Road and decided to postpone any decisions until the Florence project’s status is clearer.
Officials said the potential ordinance could help manage traffic flow and influence future development patterns.
Union leaders noted they will continue to evaluate the proposal and hold additional discussions at future meetings.
City officials were first formally notified of the proposed multi-family residential development during a caucus meeting on June 17, 2024.
“The city recently received information for a proposed multi-family residential development situated north of US Highway 42 and Old Union Road. The proposed development will be in the City of Florence. The proposed development will include 443 multi-family units, primarily high-density apartments, and some patio homes. The number of units would result in approximatelySummary of the City of Union’s meeting minutes when they were first notified.
nine hundred (900) cars.” – City of Union, Caucus Meeting Minutes, June 17, 2024.