Crescent Springs City Council is reviewing a revised apartment development on Ireland Avenue, and residents have raised concerns about traffic, drainage, construction and landscaping.
Developers revised the proposed project after previous opposition and litigation involving the property. The plan now calls for residents to access the apartment units from Ireland Avenue rather than Harris Street.
The land in question spans about an acre on the northeast corner of the intersection of Ireland Avenue and Harris Street in Crescent Springs. Queen City Avenue flanks the land to the east. The areas around the parcels are a mixture of single-family, multi-family and commercial developments, most notably a nearby Panera Bread and a paint store.
The concept plan called for two buildings with a total of 17 housing units. Plans for the first building called for a 15-foot setback from Ireland Avenue and Harris Street. Plans for the second building called for a 12-foot setback from the adjacent commercial lot and a 15-foot setback from Ireland Avenue. Each unit would have had rear-entry two-car garages and walk-out access onto Ireland Avenue.
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.
Understanding NKY’s housing shortage
Residents asked the developer and council to address construction traffic and prevent mud and debris from entering nearby streets and properties.
“We would like silt fencing so it doesn’t run down the street or get tracked into our houses,” said resident Dawn Johnson.
Residents also raised concerns about drainage and the retention pond’s post-construction maintenance, while the developer assured compliance with Sanitation District 1 requirements. Residents discussed the landscaping and tree screening, questioning maintenance and whether the trees would adequately separate neighboring properties.
Regarding the landscaping plan, the developer said they tried to exceed the zoning regulations.
The council also discussed traffic restrictions, particularly concerns about construction vehicles using Harris Street.
The council is reviewing the development conditions, which will determine the project’s progression.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 28.
