What you need to know!
- Final vote by the City of Union on the Union Landing development project.
- Union officials weigh the vote based on resident feedback.
- Officials unanimously decide to reject the development.
The Union City Commission voted to reject the Union Landing development project during its last meeting of 2025, citing concerns about density, resident opposition and planning risks.
The Union Landing proposal, submitted by developer Paul Gallenstein, called for a 319-unit housing project for residents aged 55 and older on the Robert E. Reeves estate at 2063 Hathaway Road.
To move forward, the project required rezoning from SR1 to SR2, which would allow a higher residential density of approximately 11-12 units per acre.
During the Nov. 24 caucus meeting, residents raised concerns about density, traffic and maintaining Union’s semi-rural character.
Additionally, the developer presented updated plans reducing the project from 382 to 319 units.
The denial confirmed the Boone County Planning Commission’s earlier unanimous rejection. City officials noted that the decision, along with public feedback, significantly influenced the commission’s final vote.
Commissioner Douglas Bine emphasized the importance of the planning commission’s recommendation.
“While I appreciate the developer’s interest in investing in our city, my biggest concern is that the Planning and Zoning Commission denied this,” Bine said.
Mayor Larry Solomon also pointed to the volume of citizen input opposing the project.
“Density is a concern for me, and after listening to the residents — not just those who showed up, but also those who submitted comments — I’m inclined to listen to them,” Solomon said.
Commissioner Kimberly Tuyn called the proposal a tough choice, weighing housing needs against long-term planning and possible liability. She mentioned that the Union is revising its comprehensive plan, which is about 25 years old.
“Anytime we as a city take on a project like this that has been brought down by the county, that presents risk for us — additional risk for the city,” Tuyn said.
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
The developers attended the Dec. 15 caucus meeting, where they were formally notified of the commission’s intent to deny the zoning change.
The commission unanimously rejected the request, confirming the Boone County Planning Commission’s prior decision.
The Dec. 15 meeting was the final City Commission gathering of 2025.
