BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
UNION -- A plan to implement zoning regulations and design standards for the town drew criticism Monday night from property owners who think such things would be too restrictive.
The Union Town Plan by consultants Myers Schmalenberger Meisner recommends concentrating most commercial and retail development in a town center and clustering residential development to preserve open space and natural features.
But most property owners at a public meeting at Ryle High School on Monday night complained the plan infringes upon their right to develop their land the way they want. They were backed by representatives from the League of Kentucky Property Owners and the Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky, both of which oppose the plan.
Tony Frohlich of Union said a land-use architect he hired estimated that the plan would make 50 percent of his 14 acres "undevelopable or restricted."
"I moved to the country setting to get away from the multitude of regulations," said Mr. Frohlich.
He and other property owners said they disagree with the plan in part because developers may not pay top dollar because of the many restrictions placed on the property.
Although a minority, several people applauded planners for being proactive and wanting to develop a plan before state highway officials begin constructing a new U.S. 42 bypass in 2002. The new five-lane road will cost an estimated $15.5 million, said Joe E. Kearnes, chief district engineer for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
One man who lives in a Union subdivision said he likes the part of the plan requiring property owners to dedicate 20 percent of their property to green space, if they build. The pastor of Union Presbyterian Church on U.S. 42 said he hopes planners and property owners can reach a compromise.
Dave Geohegan, director of planning services for the Boone County Planning Commission, maintains that if property owners "adhere to this plan, then everybody will come out better off. Theoretically, you would get more per acre for the whole property." The next step: The Long Range Planning Committee will have two public meetings between now and next month to discuss comments from Monday's meeting and make recommendations to the planning commission.
The planning commission may vote Nov. 18 to make a recommendation to the city of Union and Boone County Fiscal Court, because the study area encompasses land from both municipalities. If only one entity approves the plan, it would be enforced only in that jurisdiction, said Mr. Geohegan.
