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Planning commission backs Pewee Valley proposal to raise minimum lot size to 1.5 acres
Summary
The Oldham County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 14-0 to recommend that Pewee Valley raise its single-family minimum lot size from 1 acre to 1.5 acres, citing goals to preserve large lots, tree canopy and septic system function; the change will return to Pewee Valley for final legislative action.
The Oldham County Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday recommended approval of a Pewee Valley zoning text amendment that would raise the minimum lot size inside the city from 1 acre to 1.5 acres.
Attorney John Singler, representing the City of Pewee Valley, told the commission the city’s request rests on three findings: the city character is defined by large lots and heavy tree canopy; larger lots preserve green space and reduce impervious surface and associated stormwater impacts; and many properties rely on individual septic systems that require room for primary and future leach fields. "Requiring the large lots to be preserved limits the ability to break up and develop these historic sites," Singler said, and allows septic systems to remain a viable service option.
The change was reviewed by county staff and by the joint study and task-force process described by Ryan Fisher, director of Oldham County Planning. Fisher told commissioners the draft was prepared after multiple study review committee meetings and a business and infrastructure development task force that examined setbacks, screening, generator testing, cooling systems, impact studies and notification requirements. Fisher said the Planning Commission’s role is to make a recommendation back to the legislative bodies; final approval is the responsibility of the city of Pewee Valley.
Emily Rademacher, a Pewee Valley council member and member of the city’s overlay commission, said the proposal grew from local discussions about preserving the city’s character. "We've sort of struggled for a while and had lots of good discussion about what characterizes the city," Rademacher said, and the overlay commission recommended larger lot sizes and greater setbacks to preserve the city’s charm. Fisher also said staff received at least one written letter of support from a resident, Mark Denton.
Commissioner discussion was brief. The commission’s motion to recommend approval was made by Commissioner Krauss. The commission then took a roll-call vote and the motion passed 14 to 0. The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to Pewee Valley for final action under KRS Chapter 100 procedures.
If approved by Pewee Valley’s legislative body, the change will apply to future zoning and subdivision approvals; Fisher and Singler told commissioners that existing platted lots and subdivisions already under way would be grandfathered if plats were filed before the effective date.
Implementation and next steps: the Planning Commission’s recommendation will be sent to Pewee Valley for its legislative consideration; the transcript reflects the commission’s unanimous recommendation and the reasons presented by the city’s attorney and council member.
Votes at a glance
- Docket PZ25029 — Request from Pewee Valley to change minimum lot size inside city limits from 1.0 acre to 1.5 acres. Motion to recommend approval passed on a roll-call vote of 14 to 0.
