Council hears multiple rezoning requests and a proposed R‑5 zoning text amendment; safety and parking concerns raised
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Summary
City staff read several zoning-map amendment ordinances (025043–025048) and introduced a text amendment (2025T‑02) to establish a new R‑5 residential zone with smaller lot frontage and reduced setbacks. Council discussed developer motivations, potential public‑safety impacts (fire risk, on‑street parking, hydrant spacing) and the planning process;
City staff presented multiple zoning-map amendments and a proposed text amendment to add a new R‑5 residential zone at the Oct. 27 Shepherdsville council meeting. The items were read as first readings; no final land‑use approvals were issued at this meeting for most items.
The ordinances read by staff change zoning for multiple parcels (ordinances 025043, 025044, 025045, 025046, 025047) — converting parcels from residential or highway/business to different residential categories or central business — and one ordinance (025048) would adopt text amendment 2025T‑02 to create a new R‑5 residential zone. Staff described sample parameters discussed by developers and planning (examples in the meeting included a reduction of lot frontage to 25 feet and a minimum lot size near 6,000 square feet), and the possibility of smaller side yards to permit more units on a developer’s parcel.
Council member Brad and other speakers raised public‑safety and service concerns, noting that narrow side setbacks and taller, closely spaced homes can increase fire risk, reduce driveway space and force on‑street parking, complicating access for fire apparatus. “You could have 2½‑story houses literally six feet apart,” a council member said, citing similar issues in other jurisdictions and urging attention to building materials, hydrant spacing and street width.
Staff said the planning commission has held hearings and that each city participating in the joint zoning regulations must adopt the text amendment; a planning commission hearing on the R‑5 text amendment was scheduled (noted by staff as Nov. 13). Council members discussed options including requiring non-combustible materials or other mitigation if smaller setbacks are allowed.
The meeting also included a first reading of an ordinance updating zoning fees (025049) to simplify the fee schedule for map amendments, variances, plats and other planning-related services; staff said the planning commission compiled the fee changes.
Most of the zoning items will require subsequent readings or planning commission action before becoming effective. Council asked staff to coordinate with the planning commission and state and local public‑safety officials when considering final R‑5 standards.
