Fiscal Court approves first reading to rezone 1859 Paris Road to planned development

The Clark County Fiscal Court approved on first reading an ordinance to rezone about 79.454 acres at 1859 Paris Road from A‑1 (agriculture) to PD (planned development).

The vote, taken by roll call, carried 6–1. Magistrate Lane, Magistrate Davis, Magistrate Miller, Magistrate Hasley and the Judge voted yes; Magistrate Craig Wright voted no. The motion on the floor was to follow the planning commission recommendation and approve the ordinance for first reading.

Supporters told the court the property has been contemplated for interstate‑oriented development in the county’s comprehensive plan since the late 1990s and said rezoning is the initial administrative step that lets developers justify the expense of detailed engineering and traffic studies. “You can't expect a developer to come in and spend a half million dollars not knowing if the first piece of the puzzle is going to work,” said Magistrate (supporter), who made the motion in favor.

Opponents and some magistrates raised traffic and notification concerns. One magistrate said residents who spoke at the fiscal court had not been heard at the planning commission and expressed worry about truck congestion, citing an expectation of “50 overnight truck parking spaces” that had not been made clear to the court. “I can't in good conscience vote for something I know that's creating a mess,” said Magistrate (opposed).

County staff and legal counsel said the question before the court at this stage was only the zone change; detailed traffic mitigation and engineering requirements are normally considered later when the final development plan is submitted to the planning and zoning office. A county official stated that the proposed development's new entrance had been determined by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 7 and that the final development plan would receive staff review and likely another public hearing.

Court members reiterated that the comprehensive plan designation dating to the late 1990s supports this type of development at that interchange. Several magistrates said substantive roadway improvements, turn lanes or signals, would be addressed during final plan review and through coordination with KYTC District 7.

The first reading approval does not authorize construction; it changes the zoning classification. Court members and staff described additional procedural steps: submission and review of a final development plan by planning and zoning staff and likely further public hearings where traffic, access and site design will be considered.

The matter was recorded as approved on first reading; further administrative and planning steps remain before any building permits or site work could proceed.