Spencer County Fiscal Court approves zoning changes, amends flood-damage ordinance

The Spencer County Fiscal Court on Sept. 3 approved two zoning map changes and advanced a revision to the county’s flood-damage ordinance.

Judge Executive Scott Travis announced the court approved a request from Smith Properties LLC to rezone 1.04 acres from AG-1 to R-1 and 9.85 acres from AG-1 to AG-2 at 2845 Murray Road, and approved Land Inc. (Shelburne Farm) to rezone about 86.723 acres from AG-1 to R-1 on Little Mount Road. Both motions were made by magistrates following the planning commission’s findings and carried on voice votes. Magistrate Cotton moved the Smith Properties approval; Magistrate Stump seconded. Magistrate Eldridge moved the Shelburne Farm approval; Magistrate Cotton seconded.

The court also approved the second reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 3, FY 2025–26 series, amending Article 2 (Definitions) of the Spencer County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Ordinance 9, 2009 series). The motion for the ordinance second reading was made by Magistrate Pharris and seconded by Magistrate Cotton; the court voted to approve by voice vote.

Why it matters: zoning map changes affect permitted land uses and future development patterns in the county; the flood-ordinance amendment updates the county’s codified definitions that guide floodplain administration. The court’s action implements planning-commission recommendations and moves the flood-ordinance change forward after a second reading.

What’s next: ordinances approved on second reading may proceed to final adoption procedures consistent with county code and state law; affected property owners and parties may seek additional procedural steps as allowed by statute.