Chateau Cerise seeks C‑4 zoning for 20.61 acres in Oldham County; neighbors ask for binding limits on future uses

Attorney Mike Gregory told the Oldham County Technical Review Committee on March 19, 2025 that Chateau Cerise is seeking a zoning map amendment for its 20.61-acre property at 2419 South Highway 53 in La Grange, asking the county to change the current C‑1 zoning to C‑4. The TRC completed a technical review but made no decision; the item will go to the Planning Commission and, if recommended, to the legislative body for final action.

Why it matters: The property historically hosted the Cherry House business; the applicant says the requested zoning would allow conditional uses similar to those formerly carried out there (storage, light assembly, receiving and shipping). Neighbors said changing the zoning without a known tenant or development plan risks allowing more intensive industrial or commercial uses that could affect stormwater runoff to Crystal Lake, traffic on Zalesmith Road and noise.

Gregory said the requested C‑4 zoning would enable uses more closely aligned with the Cherry House’s prior furniture-warehousing and shipping operations. He outlined the property’s zoning history: initial C‑1 zoning for 1 acre in 1969, expansions in 1979 and 1984 that eventually established the current 20.61 acres of C‑1. He said the Cherry House ceased primary operations roughly a year earlier and that, under the county’s zoning rules, the nonconforming use could lapse if inactive for the year period.

Senior planner Anna Barge said many earlier TRC comments had been addressed and that her current staff comments were limited to updated property addresses and pavement/right‑of‑way width notations. La Grange Fire submitted no comments; Kentucky Utilities reported facilities at the location but noted that load data for any new service will be required later. KYTC had no added comments since the last meeting. LaGrange Utilities confirmed sewer availability by easement if the developer decides to use it.

County stormwater staff (Jim Silliman) said the TRC and county would likely require binding elements if the zoning change is approved to ensure that any future tenant’s impacts (traffic, stormwater, sanitary) are evaluated and addressed at the time a specific development or change is proposed. Silliman told the applicant and staff that without a change in impervious surface there may be no additional stormwater permitting; however, changes such as additional rooftops or new uses would trigger further review.

Neighbors raised several technical concerns. Nelson Lehi, a resident near Crystal Lake, asked why the county should change zoning when no specific new use has been presented and expressed concern that C‑4 allows small factories, machine shops and warehouses. He asked, “Why do we need to change the zoning if nothing’s going to be changed there?” Other neighbors asked how stormwater would be handled and whether access or truck traffic could be routed through adjacent R‑2 parcels.

Engineering and the applicant’s representatives said an existing sanitary‑sewer easement was granted by the property owners years ago and that the site could access public sewer if needed; Vincent Engineering pointed out the location of a nearby manhole that could serve the site. The White House family (property owners) and their counsel said they would consider binding elements limiting ingress/egress through the adjacent R‑2 parcel; staff said such elements can be drafted and recorded and would run with the land if the parties agree.

The applicant said the current request narrows a previously proposed Industrial Park District (IPD) application; the IPD had drawn stronger public concern because it would allow a broader range of industrial uses. The applicant told the committee the current C‑4 request is intended to preserve the property’s ability to host uses similar to the Cherry House while avoiding the broader allowances of an IPD.

Next steps: TRC will forward the application and staff comments to the Planning Commission and adjoining property owners will be notified. If the Planning Commission recommends approval, the matter will proceed to the legislative body. A zoning-change sign will be posted on the property to notify passersby of the pending map amendment.