Erlanger council adopts zoning change, lowers tax rates and awards three contracts

The Erlanger City Council on Sept. 2 approved a rezoning request for about 1.26 acres on Dixie Highway, adopted the city fiscal-year tax ordinance and approved three contract awards for street improvements, an adventure-park phase and a new ambulance.

The rezoning ordinance changed the zoning for an approximately 1.26-acre parcel at 3208 Dixie Highway from Community Commercial (CC) to General Industrial (GI). The measure passed on a roll-call vote with all members voting in favor during the meeting.

Council also adopted an ordinance setting the city ad valorem tax rates and continuing a dedicated park improvement fund. The ordinance, described at the meeting as setting the real-property and personal-property compensating rates and allocating 12% of real-estate tax revenue to a Park Improvement Fund, passed on a roll-call vote with all members recorded as voting yes.

On capital and equipment bids, the council authorized three awards: Riegler Blacktop received the low bid of $317,840.50 for Deer Chase/Thorn Tree/Sky Street improvements; Jefferson Contracting was awarded Eons Adventure Park Phase 1 for $484,144 (reported as under budget and able to meet timelines); and Penn Care was awarded an ambulance purchase for $370,724. These awards were announced by city staff as accepted and the council confirmed moving forward.

Separately, council approved a resolution asking city staff to prepare a text amendment application to remove a detached-garage requirement in the multifamily residential (RMF) zoning classification and submit that application to the Kenton County Planning Commission (KCPC) for recommendation; the resolution was presented as the first step in the code-change process and carried on a voice vote.

The council took routine procedural actions earlier in the meeting: approving minutes from Aug. 5 and Aug. 26 and adopting the night's agenda.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance: Rezoning (3208 Dixie Highway) from CC to GI — Outcome: Approved (roll call, unanimous) — Referenced public hearing: KCPC 07/08/2025. - Ordinance: Annual ad valorem tax and Park Improvement Fund allocation — Outcome: Approved (roll call, unanimous) — Park fund: 12% of real-estate tax revenue. - Contract award: Deer Chase/Thorn Tree/Sky street improvements to Riegler Blacktop — Award amount: $317,840.50 — Outcome: Approved. - Contract award: Eons Adventure Park Phase 1 to Jefferson Contracting — Award amount: $484,144 — Outcome: Approved. - Contract award: Ambulance to Penn Care — Award amount: $370,724 — Outcome: Approved. - Resolution: Authorization to file a text amendment removing detached-garage requirement in RMF and submit to KCPC — Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

The meeting packet included stipulations attached to the rezoning recommendation and a memo indicating the tax ordinance uses compensating rates lower than last year. Council discussion on the rezoning item referenced testimony given at the KCPC public hearing on July 8, 2025. The text-amendment resolution was presented as a procedural step to allow staff to file the application by a Thursday deadline described at the meeting.

The council did not take action on other potential planning-code changes; staff said the text amendment would return for KCPC recommendation and then first and second readings before council if recommended.

-- Ending: Council scheduled no caucus meeting for September and adjourned after routine business.