November
10, 2005
Beargrass
Creek Project Rezoning on Council Agenda
Joseph Gerth - The Courier-Journal
Plans for a large residential and marina development along the Ohio River near
Beargrass Creek are expected to clear another hurdle tonight, as the Louisville
Metro Council considers rezoning for it.
The action would change the property from a neighborhood form district to
downtown form district, which would allow for higher density, taller buildings
and on-street parking.
With approval from the council and an expected clearance from the Army Corps of
Engineers, Icon Properties will be ready to begin the first phase of
construction of its Riverpark Place, to include 350 units. It hopes to have its
first residents by next fall.
The Waterfront Development Corp. asked for the zoning change in an effort to
make the project more affordable for Icon and to ensure there are enough
residents to make Riverpark Place vibrant.
"The whole (form district) concept is to give a general image for a
particular area," said Mike Kimmel, spokesman for the Waterfront
Development Corp. "This neighborhood has a particular image that comes to
mind, and it's high density... with a lot of street-level activity."
The plans call for numerous residential structures, with some of them up to 16
stories . There also would be ground-level shops, restaurants and other
amenities.
Kimmel said part of the need for the taller buildings stems from the Waterfront
Development requirement that the public have access to the river's edge.
There will be a wide esplanade the length of the property that Kimmel said Icon
will not develop.
"To put in a 20-foot-wide stretch of concrete is not inexpensive," he
said.
METRO COUNCIL MEETS TONIGHT
The Louisville Metro Council meets at 6 tonight in the City Hall council
chambers at Sixth and Jefferson streets.
Agenda items:
Action on an ordinance changing the form district from neighborhood to downtown
to allow construction of the Riverpark Place residential and marina complex on
the Ohio River west of Beargrass Creek.
Action on an ordinance changing the zoning from residential to residential and
commercial on 40.9 acres at 4700 Fern Valley Road to allow construction of 472
apartments and a commercial development.
Action on an ordinance changing the zoning from residential to commercial on
0.38 of an acre on Standiford Plaza Drive to correctly zone a commercial access
road to a restaurant.
Action on an ordinance changing the residential zoning on 7.29 acres at 903, 907
and 909 S. English Station Road to allow condominiums.
Action on an ordinance changing the residential zoning on 1.503 acres at 500 and
506 Bellewood Road to allow condominiums.
Action on an ordinance re-enacting a Louisville Metro ordinance concerning
streets and sidewalks.
Action on an ordinance appropriating $6,400 from several neighborhood
development funds for the University of Louisville Athletic Association's
"Cards for Kids" program.
Action on an ordinance transferring $40,000 to Ministries United South Central
Louisville to pay for an ombudsman on airport issues.
Action on an ordinance making a technical correction to a rezoning at 8217
Shepherdsville Road.
Public input:
Speakers must register with the council clerk by 4 p.m. the day before a
meeting. To register, call 574-3902.
Up to 10 people may speak for three minutes each on nearly any subject at the
beginning of each meeting.