Boone APC sends rezoning request for 4250 N. US 421 to commissioners with unfavorable recommendation

The Boone County Area Planning Commission voted to send petition 25M8-16-064 — a request to rezone 3.04 acres at 4250 North U.S. 421 in Lebanon from Agriculture to Local Business — to the Boone County commissioners with an unfavorable recommendation and conditions.

The petition seeks commercial zoning for a proposed multi-tenant neighborhood retail center on a 3.04-acre parcel at 4250 N. U.S. 421. Interim Planning Director Deborah Luzier told the commission that the property is currently designated general agriculture in the county comprehensive plan and that staff recommends an unfavorable recommendation to the commissioners while listing technical requirements and voluntary commitments as conditions.

Why it matters: The site is along a heavily traveled county arterial where neighbors said existing drainage, septic and living conditions make commercial development inappropriate. Rezoning to Local Business would allow a broader set of commercial uses than the current Agriculture zoning and — if approved by commissioners — would change expectations for nearby property owners.

Staff summary and conditions

Deborah Luzier, interim planning director, said the parcel is “in a part of the county that is currently and has historically been used for active agriculture and…