Fiscal court approves rezoning for Chateau Cerise (Cherry House) property, with binding restrictions

Oldham County Fiscal Court approved a zoning map amendment on Aug. 19 to reclassify 20.61 acres at 2419 South Highway 53 — the site of the former Cherry House furniture operation — from C‑1 (Local Business District) to C‑4 (Highway Service District), with seven binding elements the applicant agreed to during neighborhood outreach.

The planning and zoning staff recommended approval, and the fiscal court voted to adopt the change, 7–2. Magistrate Jeffreys moved to approve the rezoning with the binding elements; the motion passed on roll call.

What the change allows and what was limited

The applicant (Chateau Cerise, the owners of the former Cherry House) asked for C‑4 so the existing large warehouse and showroom buildings on the property can be leased for commercial uses similar to those historically conducted on site. Owner Steve Whitehouse told the court the furniture business once generated large truck and customer volumes and the owners are seeking tenants that can use the existing buildings “as they sit” without major new construction.

In response to neighborhood concerns, the applicant and staff incorporated binding elements recommended by the planning commission. The key, binding limitations include:

- Exclusion of specific uses from the C‑4 allowance (the applicant and staff marked a list of conditional and permitted uses that will not be permitted on the parcel). Examples cited in the public record included adult‑entertainment uses and methadone or certain inpatient psychiatric or addiction clinics. (The final ordinance lists the full excluded uses.) - A requirement that any proposed major change in traffic generation, building size, or parking must be reviewed by the county planning and engineering staff (and may require additional review or conditions). - A commitment that no commercial access will be permitted from the parcel to Zalesmith Road (access will remain from Highway 53), a point the applicant agreed to at neighborhood meetings.

Why the court approved it

County planning staff told the court the parcel had a long history of commercial use dating to the 1970s and that the proposed C‑4 classification is consistent with nearby highway‑oriented commercial zoning patterns along the South 53 corridor. Staff said the requested change is intended to allow leasing of existing buildings — especially the large warehouse — for uses that are compatible with historic operations and the county’s land‑use framework.

Opposition and concerns

One nearby resident raised concerns that C‑4 zoning adjacent to residential areas could enable future owners to propose higher‑intensity uses that would increase traffic on Highway 53. Planning staff and the applicant responded that the binding elements and the county’s site‑plan review process would require review of any use that materially increased traffic, building footprint or parking; conditional uses would still require Board of Adjustments review.

Votes and next steps

The fiscal court approved the rezoning 7–2 with the binding elements recommended by the planning commission incorporated into the approval. County staff will amend the zoning map and the clerk will publish the ordinance with the condition list as adopted. Any tenant or new use that proposes changes beyond the binding elements will be required to seek planning review and, where applicable, conditional‑use approval.

Technical and background details

- Property: 2419 South Highway 53, LaGrange (20.61 acres). - Current zoning: C‑1 (Local Business District). Proposed zoning: C‑4 (Highway Service District). - Binding elements: list of excluded uses (as filed with planning staff), prohibition of commercial access to Zalesmith Road, and requirement that any major change in traffic, parking or building footprint be reviewed by planning and the county engineer and comply with current regulations.

Magistrates and staff noted that the approval does not remove review safeguards: conditional uses and substantial building changes will still require further planning review and, where applicable, Board of Adjustments procedures.

Votes at a glance

Zoning map amendment KOC‑205‑920‑511 (2419 S. Highway 53) — Rezoning from C‑1 to C‑4, with seven binding elements — Passed 7–2 (Motion: Magistrate Jeffreys; second: recorded). Yes: Magistrates Likens, Tice, Woosley, Jeffreys, Hounds, Dye, Logsdon. No: Magistrate Hawkins and 1 other magistrate recorded as no. (Clerk’s roll call recorded motion carries 7 to 2.)

Ending note

The owners said they plan to lease the existing buildings rather than redevelop the site; the adopted binding elements are intended to limit uses the neighborhood and the owners considered incompatible while allowing leasing of the large warehouse and showroom spaces. Any future tenant proposing a use that increases traffic, requires new access locations, or expands building footprints will face a planning review process and any required approvals.