Louisville Planning & Zoning recommends denial of rezoning for three Backstreet lots

The Louisville Planning and Zoning board voted April 27 to recommend denial of a combined application that sought to rezone three Backstreet residential lots to commercial use.

The motion to recommend denial was made by a committee member and seconded by the Chair; after a voice vote the Chair announced, “motion carries,” and staff said the recommendation will be forwarded to the Town Council for its May 4 meeting.

Board members told the applicant the application was published with wording that does not match the rezoning now proposed, meaning the board could not finalize the change without new, properly noticed public hearings. “We can't decide in a meeting that we're just gonna go back,” the Staff member said, explaining the applicant must resubmit the application and republish it so the public has the correct notice.

Several commissioners argued rezoning all three lots to commercial would be premature and could put residential homes at risk. One committee member said the lots include family homes and warned that “all 3 of those houses could get demolished the next day, and all those families could be kicked out,” and urged preserving residential housing stock in town. That committee member also flagged a technical detail about one parcel's size: “It says that it's 11,325 square feet. It's just under the R1A status,” and suggested rezoning that lot to R1 rather than to commercial.

A nearby resident who spoke during the meeting emphasized safety concerns around the grocery and hardware store parking and driveway access. The resident urged that if commercial zoning were allowed, it should be paired with mandated safety improvements such as curb, gutter and sidewalks to protect children and tenants living nearby. “I live 4 homes down from where he's wanting to rezone,” the resident said, describing the presence of young children near the properties and saying safety should be a priority.

The board concluded it would recommend denial of the combined rezoning application and advised the applicant (referred to in discussion as Terry) to resubmit separate applications so each parcel can be considered with proper public notice. Staff noted that if the Town Council also denies the request, the applicant could pursue a variance as an alternative remedy.

Procedural guidance from the board also explained how to proceed with lot adjustments: the Chair described a path where portions of a parcel could be rezoned and later subdivided so that zone and lot lines align, noting that simple lot subdivision procedures cannot include rezoning. The board and staff agreed to hold an additional Planning and Zoning meeting the week before Memorial Day; the board settled on Monday, May 18 for the next meeting, subject to the required notice periods.

The applicant's request will be placed on the Town Council agenda for May 4 for final action.