A prospective zoning amendment could pave the way for a 196 unit subdivision in Boone County.
On Tuesday, Boone County Fiscal Court conducted a first reading of a zoning amendment that would change the designation of a 41.4-acre site in unincorporated Boone County from rural suburban estates to suburban residential. The amendment was proposed by Northern Kentucky-based real estate developer Great Places LLC.
“That helps to know that we’re dealing with local developers who know how to build a good product,” Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore said during the meeting.
The site in question is located along Hathaway Road in Union. Boone County property records list the land’s current owner as the Robert E. Reeves Estate.
Great Places plans to create a new subdivision comprised of 26 two-bedroom detached single family dwellings, 21 three-bedroom detached single family dwellings, 46 two-bedroom duplex dwellings, and 103 two-bedroom townhouse dwellings. Great Places also plans to construct a community building with amenities such as a swimming pool .
The Boone County 2040 Land Use Map designates a large portion of the property as suburban density residential usage, also identified as single-family housing of up to four units per acre.
In addition, Fischer Homes would be constructing townhomes in the southeast portion of the site, confirmed Ken Holliday, the site’s real estate broker.
Additionally, the Union Town Plan — a land use and zoning plan for the City of Union published in 2000 — designated the site as single family dwellings at 2.2 units per acre.
Listings for two-bedroom condos in Newport’s luxury riverfront housing complex Ovation went up on Zillow this week, with purchase prices starting at $975,000. Nearby on 5th Street, an apartment complex called The Cadence of Newport has two-bedroom apartments listed for $1,495 per month. Yet, many in the community still remember the apartments by their former name, Victoria Square, which used to charge only $710 per month for an apartment.
In short, recent discussions have taken a pessimistic tone: On the ground, it seems to many that there’s an overabundance of newer, higher-end luxury developments while smaller and more accessible forms of housing appear to be drying up.
Although there are some exceptions, broadly speaking, these worries have a basis in reality. In fact, for many, finding secure, affordable housing has become more and more of a challenge. Read more here.
Understanding Northern Kentucky’s housing shortage
Prior to the fiscal court weighing in, the Boone County Planning Commission voted 13-0 to recommend the request for approval at a meeting held on Dec. 6.
During the public hearing portion of the planning commission meeting, opponents of the development raised concerns about the area growing too fast; they were also concerned about the potential for traffic congestion.
Ultimately, the planning commission determined the proposed development was consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan.
“They found the proposal is generally consistent with the Union Town Plan which identifies the site for single family residential and townhome development which is what this is being proposed for,” said Michael Schwartz, zoning director for the planning commission.
Moore also noted the development would construct more one and two-bedroom housing units in Boone County, something he said the county needs more of citing the regionwide housing study published by the Northern Kentucky Area Development District.
“When we think about the housing study — the need to build more one and two bedroom units — owner-occupied, from the Stantec study, this addresses a lot of that. I’m pleased that the developer has paid attention to that and noted that,” Moore said.
