Planning Commission approves waiver to let Cowgill/Cawgill Partners advance supportive uses ahead of UK medical campus

The Planning Commission unanimously approved a waiver on March 12 to let Calgill Partners continue building supportive uses (hotels, parking structures and select multi‑family uses) on privately owned lots within the Meadowcrest development that support a regional medical campus anchored by University of Kentucky HealthCare.

Staff explained the ED (economic development) zone limits supportive uses until principal uses (the regional medical campus) are under construction, and that a strict reading of the code would prevent the private owner from developing the amount of supportive floor area it seeks because Lot 17 (the campus parcel) is owned by UK HealthCare, a public entity exempt from the zoning ordinance. The waiver allows staff to calculate allowable supportive uses using the gross acres of the entire 102.41‑acre site, including Lot 17, recognizing the unique public–private partnership.

Applicant counsel Brandon Gross said Cowgill Partners has invested roughly $15 million in infrastructure, realigned Team Road and installed sewers and detention areas to ready lots for development; UK provided a letter of support in the record. Staff and the applicant said granting the waiver would not harm public health, safety or the spirit of the ED provisions and would expedite useful supportive services for the new medical campus.

The commission approved the waiver with recommended conditions to note the waiver on final plans and require standard signoffs for engineering, traffic, urban forestry and environmental review.

Next steps: Calgill Partners will proceed with lot‑by‑lot development and seek final development approvals for specific supportive projects; staff will monitor conformance with the waiver conditions.