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 industrial/commercial designation, and a change at the 146/393 corner (the Clayton Lambert tract) from industrial to commercial to reflect nearby reuse.

Staff emphasized process and next steps. Fisher said the draft had been refined after public comment and a study‑review committee recommendation, and that if the commission approves a final version it will be forwarded to the county's legislative bodies: Oldham County Fiscal Court and the city councils of LaGrange, Crestwood and Pewee Valley for their consideration.

Public comment split between praise and criticism. Several residents commended staff for the outreach and recommended the commission adopt the draft as the basis for subsequent ordinance updates. Don Erler, a long‑time resident, thanked staff and commissioners, saying the plan reflects community input.

Other speakers urged changes before adoption. Olivia Tipton, who said she lives in LaGrange, called procedural issues her primary concern and argued aspects of the plan's preparation violated Kentucky's Open Meetings law. She urged either a one‑year readoption of the current plan or use of a consultant and more formally noticed advisory meetings to avoid procedural problems.

Barry Laws, a district constable, criticized the draft for vague language and argued it "does not comply with KRS 100.1971," saying the plan lacked concrete, enforceable actions tied to its goals. Mary Lowry, who described herself as a conservation stakeholder in the process, urged stronger emphasis on preserving farmland and recorded conservation easements, saying, "This is land that will look the same when my grandkids have grandkids. It will not change."

Technical topics drew questions from commissioners. Commissioners asked planning staff about how the draft treats conservation easements, the Red Pen landfill parcels and whether the plan's future land‑use designations would restrict property owners beyond existing EPA or state controls. Fisher said the map identifies recorded conservation easements (shown in a distinct green) but does not alter current zoning or private property rights; he recommended internal parcel notes and records to flag sites with external constraints such as EPA controls on closed landfills.

School district projections were discussed as a component of the plan's community facilities section. Michael Williams of Oldham County Schools, present for the meeting, explained enrollment trends and capacity standards used by staff: “We have seen a decrease in enrollment since COVID. ... This decrease has slowed for us.” He said the district produces annual projections and that planned capital projects include campus improvements, a new Buckner high‑school site under study, and long‑range athletic and site enhancements.

Commission process and next steps. The Planning & Zoning Commission did not vote to adopt the plan during the transcript provided; commissioners requested corrections and line edits and continued questioning. Staff asked for additional time to complete presentation and the commission approved extensions during the meeting. Fisher said the study‑review committee had recommended the final draft to the commission and reiterated that adoption by the commission would be followed by action by the county and municipal legislative bodies.

What remains unresolved: Citizens and at least one public official asked the commission to address two core issues before adoption: (1) procedural concerns about advisory group formation and Open Meetings compliance raised by public commenters, and (2) stronger, more detailed implementation language and measurable actions tied to the plan's goals. Planning staff said some typos and formatting issues identified by commissioners would be corrected before a final document is circulated.

The commission set additional public‑comment time and recessed for lunch with public testimony continuing after the break. If the commission moves to adopt a final version it will be forwarded to Oldham County Fiscal Court and the municipal councils noted by staff for their review and potential adoption.

Ending: The planning office recommended edits and internal clarifications to reflect recorded conservation easements and to document constraints on parcels such as EPA remediation sites; commissioners asked staff to return with a corrected final draft and to be prepared to discuss procedural questions raised by members of the public.