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Hardin County court declines to authorize negotiations for Pearl Hollow land transfer
Summary
After extended debate about endangered-bat habitat, buffer zones and the landfill’s long-term value, the Hardin County Fiscal Court voted down a motion to authorize negotiations with the Kentucky Heritage Land Trust over a roughly 158-acre land transfer; opponents cited operational and environmental risk to the county landfill.
The Hardin County Fiscal Court on Nov. 25 considered Resolution 2-32, a proposal to negotiate the sale of roughly 158 acres at Audubon Trace to the Kentucky Heritage Land Trust for addition to the Vernon Douglas Nature Preserve, but members voted against moving forward with negotiations.
Judge Executive (unnamed in the transcript) introduced the proposal, saying the property under consideration is on the east side of a Blue Line stream, is not part of the permitted landfill area and had been identified in earlier work as containing endangered-bat habitat covering about 162 of the roughly 193 acres originally surveyed. The proposal would have combined the parcel with the adjacent Vernon Douglas Nature Preserve. The judge noted the Kentucky Heritage Land Trust received a $1,000,000 state grant and had allocated $500,000 toward the purchase, and that the trust would be asked to cover survey costs.
"The property has already been identified as endangered bat habitat, which comprises approximately 162 acres of the 193 acres," the Judge Executive said, describing plans to hold prime farmland portions and transfer about 158 acres (subject to survey) to the trust.
Supporters framed the offer as a conservation opportunity and a way to place the acreage into permanent stewardship; the judge also suggested net proceeds could help EMS and county fire service equipment needs. The resolution’s text, as read into the record, authorized the judge to negotiate additional buffer zones around the sheriff’s firing range and the Bucks North leased area and to obtain written assurances that state action would not force closure of the range before the court would approve a final contract.
Opponents, however, argued the county should not reduce buffer lands around the landfill or risk the county’s largest non-tax revenue-generating asset. One magistrate warned that reducing buffers could invite state-level interventions if endangered species were found, saying, "They can shut down a whole operation." Another argued the court has previously spent substantial staff time on similar efforts and should instead concentrate on balancing the county budget.
Bob Baker, who identified himself during public comment as representing the Bucks North shooting club, told the court he and fellow club members were not aware of the listing when it appeared on the agenda and expressed concern the sale could jeopardize the club’s use of the leased range next to the landfill. "We could be, at some point, stopped from doing our functions that we do down there as a club," Baker said.
After discussion and a roll-call vote, the motion to authorize negotiations failed. The clerk called votes from individual members as recorded in the meeting; the judge announced, "Motion fails."
The judge said the county will not be committed to any contract unless and until negotiated terms satisfy the court and legal review, and that the court would revisit any future offers only if conditions change.
The meeting continued with other business, including a consent-agenda vote and routine reports.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 2-32 (authorize negotiation of sale of ~158 acres to Kentucky Heritage Land Trust): motion failed (roll-call vote read aloud during the meeting).
