Oldham County planners present 2025 comprehensive-plan update; public raises open‑meetings and environment concerns

Oldham County Planning Director Ryan Fisher presented the draft 2025 comprehensive plan to the Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 9, outlining updated goals and a proposed future land‑use map that staff said is intended to guide zoning and development decisions over the next five years.

Fisher described the document as a long‑range blueprint required under KRS 100, saying, “The comprehensive plan is covered under KRS 100.” He told commissioners the plan developed through staff work, focus groups, a steering committee and public outreach including five stakeholder meetings, a public website with 3,429 visits, 407 completed surveys, 12 photo‑contest entries and 10 online public comments.

Why it matters: The comprehensive plan sets the county's policy framework for rezoning and development. Fisher said the draft condenses prior goals and refines the future land‑use map to reflect recent development patterns and recorded conservation easements; he also emphasized the plan does not change existing zoning, only future guidance.

Most of the commission's presentation focused on the plan's major elements: land use, transportation, environment, community facilities, schools, economic development and a new tourism section. Fisher walked commissioners through proposed map changes the staff characterized as limited, including a proposal to designate the front portion of the state correctional property as mixed use, a Commerce Parkway corridor change to an…