The Elizabethtown City Council on Dec. 16 adopted a second-reading zoning map amendment for property at 35100 Lodgefield Road and approved multiple municipal orders addressing personnel policy, a sanitary sewer change order, park design services and additional wastewater planning services. The council also conducted first readings for three annexation ordinances.

On a roll-call vote to adopt Ordinance 29-2024 to amend the zoning map for property located at 35100 Lodgefield Road, the council voted 6-0 in favor: Council Member Bishop—yes; Council Member Fulkerson—yes; Council Member Springsteen—yes; Council Member Taft—yes; Council Member Walker—yes; Council Member Willoughby—yes. The ordinance changes the property's zoning from Urban Residential Mixed (R5) and High Density Residential (R6) to Planned Neighborhood Residential 2, to allow uses such as single-family homes. The council referenced a recommendation from the Elizabethtown Planning Commission and the city's comprehensive plan; the full ordinance text is available from the city clerk.

The council approved Municipal Order 79-2024 amending the employee handbook. The order revises sections related to leave time, time off to vote and clarifies that use of medical cannabis by employees is not permitted in conformance with the city’s drug- and alcohol-free workplace policies. The order reaffirms other handbook sections adopted in July 2018, including equal employment opportunity, ADA requirements, anti-harassment policies and safety programs. A motion to adopt passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Municipal Order 80-2024 authorized a change in scope and additional time for the Litchfield Road/South Ring Road sanitary sewer project originally awarded to Frederick and May Construction. Council documents state the contract previously limited administrative change orders not to exceed $71,908.85; the council approved an additional not-to-exceed amount of $102,450.40 to address an unforeseen collapsed area in the Valley Creek bore. Staff described the remediation work as time-and-materials for temporary dams, excavation, stabilization and placement of rock; the order passed by voice vote.

Municipal Order 81-2024 approved a professional design contract with CMW for the Elizabethtown Parks and Trails Conservancy project in an amount not to exceed $150,000. The contract covers design plans for trails, parking, restroom facilities and a new facility at Freeman Lake Park and Elizabethtown Nature Park. The order passed by voice vote.

Municipal Order 82-2024 amended the contract with HDR Inc. to provide additional professional services related to the regional wastewater facility plan; the amendment added up to $10,000 for state-requested revisions and additional planning projections. The order passed by voice vote.

First readings by summary were conducted for three separate annexation ordinances: Ordinance 1-2025 would annex approximately 154 acres at 1750 Gaither Station Road (to be zoned Regional Industrial, I2); Ordinance 2-2025 would annex about 0.482 acres at 2031 Bardstown Road (to be zoned Regional Commercial, C3); and Ordinance 3-2025 would annex approximately 68 acres at 1001 Ring Road and Patriot Parkway (to be zoned Regional Commercial, C3). Each first reading noted owner consent and that the city provided required notice to Hardin County; full texts are available from the city clerk.

The council also approved routine procedural items, including approval of the Dec. 2 minutes. Several council members spoke at length in recognition of outgoing members; those remarks were ceremonial and not part of council action.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 29-2024 (zoning map amendment) — adopted, roll-call 6-0. Municipal Order 79-2024 (personnel handbook) — adopted, voice vote. Municipal Order 80-2024 (sanitary sewer change order, Valley Creek) — adopted, voice vote; additional not-to-exceed $102,450.40. Municipal Order 81-2024 (CMW parks design) — adopted, voice vote; contract not to exceed $150,000. Municipal Order 82-2024 (HDR wastewater amendment) — adopted, voice vote; amendment not to exceed $10,000. First readings: Ordinances 1-2025, 2-2025, 3-2025 — read by summary (first reading).