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Fort Thomas residents press council to slow zoning rewrite, warn against added density
Summary
Residents filled the City Council meeting to urge a pause on the phase‑4 Unified Development Ordinance draft, saying it risks taller buildings, more apartments over commercial space and loss of the city—s historic character. Council scheduled a joint session with Planning & Zoning Wednesday and said it will review public input.
A packed Fort Thomas City Council meeting on Monday focused on a contentious draft of the city—s zoning code, as residents pressed elected officials to slow or pause the phase‑4 Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) process.
Speakers from across the city asked council to align any new zoning with Fort Thomas— existing character and to clarify concrete goals before adoption. "All I've been hearing lately is density, density, density," said resident Paula Benami, who identified herself and her long tenure in the city. Residents cited concerns about proposed increases in allowable building heights (an example cited in public comment was an allowance that could push heights toward 44 feet in business areas), the draft—s potential to permit residential units above most commercial properties, and limited restrictions on depth and density on some small downtown parcels.
Council members and staff told the audience the draft has been changed in places because of public input and that a joint, informational meeting with the Planning & Zoning Commission is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The mayor and other council members said the intent of the rewrite is to give the city more control than the existing code, not to automatically increase density. Staff also encouraged residents to review the posted draft and attend the Wednesday session to listen and ask questions.
Several commenters urged the council to compare the new draft to the current code rather than only to the prior draft versions and to revisit the comprehensive plan or run an updated public survey before final action. Some speakers pointed to the slow sales at a nearby multiunit development to argue for caution in adopting rules that would allow similar projects.
Council members acknowledged the volume and intensity of public input and said they planned to continue deliberations at the joint meeting and over the summer. The council did not adopt the UDO at this meeting; members signaled they would review public comments, verify technical drafts against the city—s stated goals, and consider modest process changes before a final vote.
The next procedural step is the scheduled joint council/Planning & Zoning meeting, when the body will identify which items will carry forward into the final ordinance drafting and what additional clarifications are necessary.
