Planning commission approves zoning change, development plan and sidewalk waiver for Commerce Parkway contractor park

The Oldham County Planning and Zoning Commission on Dec. 9 recommended a zoning map amendment and approved a preliminary development plan for a proposed commercial contractor park on the 1000 block of Commerce Parkway and granted a waiver to the county sidewalk requirement.

Senior planner Anna Barge told the commission the applicant seeks to rezone roughly 9 acres from R2 (residential) to C3 (General Business) and to approve a development plan showing nine buildings ranging "from 10,000 square feet to 23,500 square feet." The plan shows about 30% lot coverage and 43.7% impervious surface; staff included TRC comments and noted the parcel lies within the City of LaGrange.

Oldham County Engineer Jim Silliman said he reviewed the applicant's traffic assessment and ‘‘agreed with the trip generation they’ve shown’’ and that the report concluded no roadway capacity mitigation on Commerce Parkway was necessary at this time. He also said the development must obtain the required state KYR-10 permit and county stormwater approvals and noted two blue-line streams near the parcel that would require coordination if later plans affect them.

Attorney Mike Swansbury, speaking for Gulfstream Development and TriStar Construction, asked the commission to grant three approvals — the map amendment, preliminary development plan and a waiver of subdivision regulation 6.3.F requiring sidewalks on both sides of new commercial streets. Swansbury argued that requiring a sidewalk along the parcel’s southern frontage would create a ‘‘sidewalk to nowhere’’ because sidewalks on that side of Commerce Parkway do not extend; he said an existing trail/sidewalk on the north side meets the pedestrian-objective of the regulation.

Commissioners pressed the applicant and staff on pedestrian safety and connectivity, mid-block crossing control, and whether the developer would accept placing money into escrow for future construction. The applicant agreed to an escrow arrangement and to work with City of LaGrange staff to set a fee amount before the City’s zoning decision.

On three separate motions the commission: • Recommended the zoning map amendment to the LaGrange City Council (motion by Miss Krauss; second Miss Davis), approved by voice vote 10–0. • Granted the waiver of the sidewalk requirement, subject to a binding element that the applicant provide a financial contribution (amount to be agreed before the LaGrange hearing), approved by roll-call 10–0. • Approved the preliminary development plan with binding elements (approval applies only to the plan presented, no changes without review, compliance with federal/state/county requirements, and required landscaping/lighting plans), approved by voice vote 10–0.

The approvals are recommendations to LaGrange for the zoning change and include binding elements; the applicant must also satisfy county and state permitting (including KYR-10) during construction review. The plan record notes stormwater detention basins and potential coordination with the Army Corps and the Kentucky Division of Water if streams are impacted. The matter will move to LaGrange City Council for the zoning map amendment and then return for construction-plan review if approved.

Commissioners and staff noted conditions and practical concerns to be resolved in construction plans, including entrance geometry, paving of front parking areas, and potential dust-control materials for gravel rear yards. The record shows no public opposition during the hearing.

The commission closed the docket and recessed for five minutes before proceeding to the next agenda item.