Fort Thomas Board of Adjustment approves conditional-use permit for memory-care operator at 930 Highland Avenue

FORT THOMAS, Ky. — The City of Fort Thomas Board of Adjustment on an unanimous vote approved a conditional-use permit for 930 Highland Avenue, allowing owner-applicant AEY Investment LLC to convert the former Sisters of the Good Shepherd nursing facility into a memory-care medical facility for people with cognitive disorders.

The permit, approved during the board’s public hearing, covers exterior modifications including a new 30-square-foot roadside sign, fencing for resident outdoor space and additional exterior lighting. Board members cited safety and neighborhood fit when moving to grant the permit.

The application was introduced by Mr. Stewart, city staff, who explained the legal requirement for the hearing, saying the Kentucky Revised Statutes require exterior changes in a residential zone to come before the board and be noticed to neighboring property owners. David Hall, the project director representing the owners, described the history of the vacant building and the renovation plans. “It is going to be, strictly for those people that have cognitive problems such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and so on,” Hall said, and added he expected the facility could “potentially open by fall.”

Hall told the board the building suffered water and vandal damage while vacant and has been gutted for renovation. He said roof work is under way and that owners intend to repaint and repair the exterior. He said the fence will create a supervised outdoor area for residents and that staffing will be local with training specific to residents’ needs.

Resident Joe Veltracas, who lives across the street at 1027 Highland Avenue, asked about sign size, lighting and fencing. Mr. Stewart supplied technical details for the sign: “The sign is 30 square feet. It would be 5 foot the sign itself would be 5 foot by 6 foot. The overall height of the sign is going to be about 7 feet above the wall and they’re shown to be floodlights... It would not be an LED sign.” Hall confirmed the primary recreational fencing will be in the rear of the property, consisting of 6-foot wood fencing, with other security fencing being 4-foot black chain link. He said lighting would be low-voltage and primarily for staff and visitors at night.

After discussion the board made a motion to grant the conditional-use permit covering the facility use and the proposed landscaping, lighting, fencing and sign, finding the project “does not adversely affect the health, safety and welfare of the surrounding vicinity.” Board members Carol Dixon, Chris Beuchert, Randall Schultz, Brandon Rayburn, Randall Vogt and Christie Dougherty voted to approve the permit.

The board did not list additional conditions beyond those shown in the application materials at the hearing. Mr. Hall said he had spoken to at least one nearby neighbor before the meeting and would work with neighbors on hillside cleanup and landscaping.

The board approved the minutes from its prior meeting earlier on the agenda and adjourned after the public hearing.