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Planning panel approves rezoning for McDonald’s site on Dixie Highway, adds 10-year connectivity condition
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Committee voted 7–0 to recommend rezoning two parcels on East Orrell Road from R-4 to C-1 for a 3,700-square-foot McDonald’s with a drive-through; the committee added a binding element extending a cross‑connectivity window from five to 10 years and forwarded the case to old business.
A Louisville Metro Planning & Zoning Committee on Feb. 4 voted 7–0 to recommend a zoning change that would allow a 3,700-square-foot McDonald’s with a drive-through at two undeveloped parcels on East Orrell Road near the Dixie Highway intersection.
Julia Williams, of the Office of Planning, told the committee the case (24ZONE100) seeks to change roughly 1.64 acres from R-4 (residential) to C-1 (commercial) and includes a detailed district development plan showing a right-in/right-out from Dixie Highway and full access from Flowervale. Williams said the plan shows an eight-foot privacy fence proposed along the edge next to residential property and that the required zoning buffer is 10 feet; the plan’s building edge sits roughly 30 feet from the right of way.
The plan includes a binding element that requires a cross-connection to the property to the south if that property redevelops within a set period. Travis Feaster, assistant county attorney, read an email from Councilwoman Bass into the record saying the applicant agreed to extend binding element number 10 from five years to 10 years to increase the chance that an adjoining redevelopment will allow the cross connection. The committee moved and seconded an amendment to change the five‑year requirement to 10 years; the amendment passed by voice vote, and the final motion to recommend approval carried 7–0.
Committee members asked staff for clarifications about the residential buffer and landscaping. Committee member Metzheng asked whether the buffer would be landscaped or fenced; Williams said the requirement is a three‑foot screen with plantings and entries roughly one per 50 feet, and that the applicant proposes an eight‑foot privacy fence, exceeding the minimum. Councilwoman Ruiz noted some neighbors had asked for a 10‑foot fence; Williams said the applicant did not agree to 10 feet and felt eight feet was sufficient.
The planning commission had previously held a public hearing on Nov. 21, 2024, and recommended approval 7–0. Williams said neighborhood and transportation meetings were held in July and October 2024. With the committee’s recommendation, the ordinance will move forward to old business on the Metro Council agenda.
Votes and formal actions are recorded below; no final council vote occurred during the committee meeting.
