Union residents can look forward to more economic development and business options along US-42.
The Union City Commission is considering a proposal to rezone a parcel of land in the northern part of the city. The Union Promenade Development focuses on restaurants, but Arlinghaus is eyeing a different use for their lot.
At last night’s meeting, Union’s City Commissioners heard the first reading of the ordinance proposing a commercial zoning change. The proposal, Ordinance 2026-13, concerns a 3.5-acre lot across US-42 from Central Bank and abutting the Villas at Fowler’s Creek subdivision.
The land parcel is currently zoned as rural suburban estates, Union town overlay district, and Union neighborhood office. The land includes an empty, grassy field, a few trees and a stream (unassessed for water quality by the Kentucky Energy & Environment Cabinet) part of the Upper Gunpowder Creek watershed.
Steve Berling, on behalf of Arlinghaus Builders, proposed that this land parcel be rezoned to Union commercial. This would allow businesses, offices, and/or restaurants to develop the land. Union City Attorney Greg Voss says Arlinghaus Builders already has plans for the location.
“We have heard that they plan to put a bank and a funeral home in that spot,” Voss said.
The Boone County Planning Commission recommended that the Union City Commission approve this change. LINK nky spoke to Michael Schwartz, Interim Executive Director for the Boone County Planning Commission, about the Commission’s recommendation.
“The basis for the Boone County Planning Commission’s recommendation of approval for this zoning change is that the existing zone classification is inappropriate and the proposed change to Union commercial is appropriate for the lot,” Schwartz said.
According to Schwartz, if the land parcel were to be developed for residential use, peak traffic could increase along US-42 and Old Union Road. The Boone County Planning Commission considers the proposed bank and funeral home to be “low impact uses” with low noise levels. This would allow for a “step down in use intensity” in that area.
Union residents are concerned about issues of housing density as the city welcomes economic development and this zoning change would prevent that issue in one area. City Commissioner Kimberly Tuyn acknowledged this citizen concern in her Economic Development Committee Report at the Monday, November 2 meeting.
“The plan is for the commission to hear the second reading and vote on the proposal at the next caucus meeting,” Tammy Wilhoite, Union City Clerk, told LINK nky.
The next caucus meeting will take place at the Union City Building on Monday, November 16.
