Oldham County board OKs conditional use for Harmony Hills private swim club with parking limits

The Oldham County Board of Adjustments on March 20 approved a conditional use permit allowing a private recreation and swim club to operate at the former Harmony Hills Swim & Racket Club, 1222 Cliffwood Drive in Goshen.

Staff recommended the permit after outlining the property's history of vacancy and code enforcement cases. "An application has been filed requesting a conditional use permit for private recreation and swim club at 1222 Cliffwood Drive in Goshen," Senior Planner Anna Barge told the board during the hearing.

The applicant, owner Beth McBride, represented by attorney Mike Swansberg, proposed renovating the existing clubhouse and pool and adding a splash pad, pickleball and basketball courts, batting cages and a roughly 50-space paved parking area within the property. Swansberg told the board the proposal seeks to restore a neighborhood amenity and to follow the county's comprehensive-plan goals for placing development where infrastructure exists.

Barge told members the 4.27-acre property is zoned R2, and both private clubs and swimming pools are conditional uses under the Oldham County Zoning Ordinance. She noted past code-enforcement actions dating to 2018 and 2021 and a public-health case involving stagnant pool water. The applicant supplied a plan and, Barge said, 37 letters of neighborhood support.

Board members and staff discussed parking and traffic—particularly the possibility of swim meets that could exceed on-site parking. County planning staff explained the applicant will seek two waivers from the Planning Commission (minimum parking and a vehicular use buffer landscaping waiver) but that parking quantities and waiver decisions are Planning Commission responsibilities.

Several neighbors spoke in favor of the project, saying the site has lain deteriorated for years and that the proposed plan would restore a neighborhood amenity. Ralph Matheson, president of the Goshen Hills homeowners association, told the board the subdivision had tried previously to acquire the site and said residents he represents support the revival. Nearby residents who grew up at the pool described foot-traffic access and neighborhood use in earlier decades; opponents urged restraint on large events.

Opponents, including Cloverdale Court residents, told the board they fear swim meets or other large events could drive on-street parking and traffic into the neighborhood. David Likens, who lives near the property, said the club historically drew mostly local walkers and bikers but warned that organized meets could bring hundreds of visitors.

The board approved the conditional use permit with conditions that the CUP apply only to the application considered at the March 20 public hearing, that the applicant obtain the necessary waivers from the Planning Commission, and that there be no on-street parking due to events at the facility. Chair Larry Otterback closed the vote by voice; after the board called for ayes and nays he said, "Those opposed? It's been approved. You're lucky." (voice vote recorded in minutes.)

The applicant will proceed to the Planning Commission for the two waivers required by county rules. The Planning Commission review may add conditions tied specifically to parking, buffering and landscape requirements.

Plans and supporting materials, including the applicant's site plan and the letters of support the applicant submitted, were placed in the record during the March 20 hearing. The board's action allows the club to proceed only after it secures the requested waivers and meets county regulatory requirements.

Ending: The applicant and staff said they will continue neighborhood outreach and that potential event uses (such as swim meets) would be reviewed if and when the applicant seeks to hold them. The Planning Commission will consider the two waivers next month.