At a special meeting, the Shepherdsville City Council conducted a first reading of an ordinance to rezone about 1.22 acres at 800 Beach Grove Road (Parcel 037C 0001001) from R‑1 to R‑3 to permit the construction of up to seven single‑family homes.

The ordinance text read at the meeting says the rezoning would be approved with three restrictions: “only single family homes shall be built on the subject property,” no more than seven single‑family homes, and any additional material placed in the FEMA‑regulated floodplain must be mitigated at a 1:1 ratio regardless of FEMA requirements. Council member Bonnie Enloe is listed as sponsor in the ordinance summary read into the record.

Why it matters: The change narrows an earlier proposal that had envisioned higher‑density townhomes and responds to neighborhood concerns about traffic, runoff and compatibility with adjacent lots. The city’s action at first reading sets the zoning framework but does not finalize the rezoning; the ordinance’s second reading is scheduled for Sept. 8, when council members could adopt, amend, table or withdraw the proposal.

City staff described the paperwork being used to lock in the restrictions. “We’re doing the zoning restriction agreement…that will be filed with the chain of title so to speak,” a staff member said, explaining that filing the restriction in title records keeps requirements attached to the property if it is sold before construction is complete.

Applicant and neighborhood outreach: The applicant’s representative said the developer mailed the revised plan to adjoining property owners and shared it with neighborhood contacts by asking Don Miles to post the plan on Facebook. “We mailed out… the revised plan to all the joining property owners,” Emily said, and said the developer invited residents to contact them with questions. Council members reported receiving some emails and phone calls but no widespread opposition at the meeting.

Project change and planning history: The Bullitt County Joint Planning Commission recommended rezoning (docket 2025Z‑27) following a public hearing on June 12, 2025; the city council previously held public hearings on July 14 and Aug. 11, 2025, the ordinance summary states. A resident noted the planning commission packet had included a 19‑townhome plan, but staff and council clarified that the commission’s action approved an R‑3 zoning classification rather than a fixed unit count. The ordinance filed for first reading attaches a proposed plan for seven single‑family houses and the council’s text restricts development to that use and a seven‑unit maximum.

Neighborhood issues discussed: Residents and council members raised several practical concerns. Questions included whether the new units would join the existing Oak Grove homeowners association, how lot‑maintenance and code enforcement would be handled, whether sidewalks would be required, and what the likely sales prices of the new homes would be. The developer representative said two of the homes would carry Oak Grove addresses and that legal and HOA details would be handled privately between the builder and the existing HOA; the council emphasized the city cannot force HOA membership.

Floodplain and mitigation: The ordinance includes a condition that additional material placed in FEMA‑regulated floodplain be mitigated at a 1:1 ratio. Council and speakers discussed that some county planning guidance has pushed higher mitigation ratios (for example, 1.5:1) and that the 1:1 language in this ordinance came from planning staff’s recommendation. A planning staff member said Jeremy added the 1:1 restriction and that Jeremy could provide more background on mitigation policy if the council requests it.

Next steps and requests: Council members asked the developer to provide proposed sales prices for the homes by the next meeting. The council set a second reading for Sept. 8. The first reading and the attached restrictions establish the zoning parameters; final adoption will depend on the council vote at second reading or any motion to table or withdraw the ordinance.

Context and enforcement: Council members and staff reiterated that the city’s code‑enforcement process is the primary tool for maintaining property standards and encouraged residents to report concerns through City Works. Several council members said the administration has increased code enforcement capacity in recent years and noted ongoing civil action in cases of persistent violations.

For residents: Comments and documentation related to the ordinance can be submitted to city staff ahead of the scheduled second reading on Sept. 8.