Oldham County staff, neighbors raise traffic, septic and buffering questions as developer seeks Industrial Park zoning for former Cherry House site

The Oldham County Technical Review Committee on Dec. 18 heard a pre-application presentation for TRC24-017, a rezoning request to convert the former Cherry House property on Kentucky 53 in La Grange to an Industrial Park District (IPD).

Attorney Mike Gregory, speaking for the applicant, said the property historically housed warehousing, furniture assembly and delivery operations and that the owners want zoning that “conforms now to the use that it has enjoyed for about 50 years.” Gregory told the committee the owners hope the IPD classification will provide flexibility to lease existing buildings and bring tenants to the site.

Senior planner Anna Barge reviewed staff technical checklist items the applicant must address on the plan, including a sketch map showing surrounding streets, utility locations and easements, tree and wetland indicators, sanitary sewer and street grades, buffering and screening, and notation of proposed zoning and parking counts. Barge also read preliminary comments from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet that existing access points on KY‑53 may need to be moved and that a full traffic impact study will be required if a proposed development generates more than 100 vehicle trips during a peak hour.

Several agency reviewers told the committee they could not complete technical concurrence without knowing specific future uses. County stormwater/transportation staff (Scott Silliman) said requirements for detention or traffic study depend on changes in impervious surface or trip generation; he said, “with no use or changes noted, it’s impossible … to determine if a traffic study is required or detention is required.” LaGrange Utilities (Scott) confirmed a gravity sewer is available along the property edge toward the New Cherry Glen development but said industrial discharges require discrete review and possible pretreatment. County health staff noted some existing buildings rely on on-site septic systems and said system capacity must be reviewed for future uses; upgrades would be possible if needed.

Neighbors who spoke raised safety and service concerns tied to Zalesmith Road, which borders the rear of the property. Resident Chris Williams showed drone photos of steep grades on Zalesmith and asked whether rezoning would change school-bus routing or create truck traffic exiting onto the road. Oldham County school transportation staff said routing decisions would be reviewed by the district’s transportation department and that a rezoning alone would not automatically change student pickup arrangements. Ryan Fisher, Planning Director, told residents the applicant and staff have discussed the idea of a buffer along Zalesmith Road and said binding elements or conditions of approval could be proposed at the planning‑commission hearing to limit truck access or prohibit industrial traffic onto that road.

Staff said adjoining owners within 500 feet were notified of the application and that the next step, if the applicant files formally, is a Planning Commission hearing (fourth Tuesday of the month). Fisher noted that Planning Commission hearings typically include proposed conditions or binding elements on zoning map amendments and that committee members will expect additional, use‑specific materials if the developer proceeds. The case remains under review; no formal vote or zoning action was taken at the TRC meeting.

Proposed next steps: applicant to update plans with the checklist items Barge listed, clarify likely uses or binding elements for Planning Commission, and coordinate with KYTC and utilities about access and sewer connections.