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Nicholasville OKs Omega Ophthalmic manufacturing plan; staff highlights economic benefit
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a final development plan for a roughly 34,243 sq ft Omega Ophthalmic manufacturing facility on Foster Court; staff noted regional publicity and possible job creation tied to the project. Approval includes conditional landscaping requirements tied to adjacent rezoning.
The commission approved a final development plan July 22 for a manufacturing facility proposed by Omega Ophthalmic on Foster Court Lot 5. The applicant’s plan shows a 34,243‑square‑foot building with a future 17,000‑square‑foot addition and site circulation that meets fire‑marshal access requirements.
Greg Smorstead (Banks Engineering) presented the plan and said the owner had agreed with the nearby fire station regarding the access configuration. Commissioners discussed a double row of shrubs proposed along the south property line to screen the industrial site from adjacent R‑1D property. Staff proposed a conditional approach: if the adjacent parcel is rezoned and industrial before certificate of occupancy, extensive screening could be waived; if not, the landscaping as shown must be installed.
Staff also flagged the project’s potential economic impact: the plan has been mentioned in state‑level materials and may bring new jobs to Nicholasville. "It's a pretty big gift for Nicholasville," staff said in the meeting record when describing the publicity and possible local benefits.
The commission moved to approve the final development plan subject to the written conditions in the staff report, including landscaping provisions tied to the adjacent parcel’s status; the motion carried on a voice vote.
