Commission recommends rezoning at 706 Jericho Road to allow two homes; development plan approved 12‑1

The Oldham County Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 23 voted 12‑1 to recommend a zoning map amendment for 706 Jericho Road, LaGrange, changing the property from I‑1 (light industrial) to CN (commercial neighborhood). On the same agenda the commission approved the preliminary development plan for two single‑family homes on the site by the same 12‑1 vote. The recommendation on zoning will go to the Oldham County Fiscal Court; the development plan decision was taken by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Senior planner Anna Barge told the commission the property is about a half acre, currently developed with a small shed and slated by the applicant to be subdivided into two lots to support two single‑family houses. The parcel sits at the corner of Jericho Road (state‑owned) and Kidwell Lane (county roadway). The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet required no access from Jericho Road; the proposed plan uses two driveways on Kidwell Lane.

Staff and the county engineer raised a potential traffic concern if the CN zoning were used for a later, higher‑traffic use (for example a restaurant or coffee shop). County engineer Jim Silliman said a CN zoning designation allows a broader set of uses than two single‑family homes, and those other uses could trigger traffic assessments. To address that the commission adopted binding elements attached to the development plan: approval applies only to the plan presented at the Sept. 23 hearing; changes require Planning Commission and engineer review; the plan must meet all federal, state and county ordinances and easement requirements; a minor plat creating proposed Tracts A and B must be approved at staff level before applying for building and electrical permits; and the applicant agreed to a minimum 7‑foot side‑yard setback to the adjacent 650 Kidwell Lane property.

Neil Sallier, attorney for the applicant Falls City Contracting, said the owner’s intent is to split the parcel and build two single‑family homes; the applicant also noted a desire for future flexibility to convert one parcel to a low‑impact professional office if needed, but the binding elements commit the county to review any change of use or altered site plan. Staff noted that because the property currently sits in an industrial zoning district with large setback requirements, the lot would otherwise require variances to support residential development if the zoning were not changed.

Commissioner Marsh moved the recommendation to Fiscal Court for the zoning map amendment and the motion to approve the preliminary development plan; both measures passed 12‑1. Commissioner Hampton cast the lone no vote on both items.

Speakers included Anna Barge (senior planner), Jim Silliman (county engineer), Neil Sallier (attorney for Falls City Contracting), Steven Lesko (Falls City representative), and representatives of Falls City Contracting. The record includes TRC comments, a neighborhood meeting and notices mailed to adjoining property owners. The binding elements recorded on the development plan are intended to require further county review should a different, higher‑impact use be proposed in the future.