Florence City Council October 20

Call to Order, Invocation ,and Pledge of Allegiance: The Mayor called the special meeting to order and asked those present to stand. An invocation was offered, asking for wisdom to make decisions beneficial to the people represented, the power to speak honestly, reflect wisely, and vote with integrity. The Pledge of Allegiance followed. YouTube video

Roll Call: The Clerk conducted the roll call. Present: Councilmembers Patricia Wingo, Gary Winn, and David Schneider. Absent: Councilmembers Lesley Chambers, Diane Whalen, and Angie Cable. Mayor Julie Metzger-Aubuchon presided. The mayor announced a quorum was not present, so the Council proceeded only with non-action agenda items.

Absent a quorum, previously discussed action items requiring a vote, including second readings of Ordinances O-22-2026 (new sanitary regulations), O-23-2026 (new water use regulations), and O-24-2026 (new water tap-in fees), the approval of minutes, and any formal consideration of zoning or annexation matters, were not presented for voting.

Florence Police Department Recognition, Life Saving Intervention

Chief of Police Jeff Mallery presented the Distinguished Service Award to Corporal Jacob Whitford. The award recognizes an officer who distinguishes him/herself by demonstrating exceptional service that brings credit upon him/herself and the Florence Police Department.

The Chief described the incident: on August 9, 2026, at approximately 10:24 p.m., multiple officers responded to a suicidal male on the overpass at US Highway 42 and I-75. Corporal Whitford located the individual sitting on an exposed ledge directly over I-75 with a rope tied around his neck. Initially irate and confrontational, the subject responded to Corporal Whitford s calm and professional communication. Over approximately 90 minutes, a meaningful rapport was developed.

With the assistance of the Florence Fire Department, and despite having no formal training or experience in such operations, Corporal Whitford was secured in a harness and climbed onto a ladder truck. He positioned himself above the interstate and spoke face-to-face with the man, providing an opportunity for emergency rescue if necessary. After nearly 30 additional minutes, he successfully convinced the individual to walk off the bridge, where waiting officers took him into protective custody.

The incident, which spanned more than two hours, required assistance from officers on second and third shifts as well as deputies from the Boone County Sheriff s Office, who closed both directions of I-75 and US Highway 42 and managed the resulting traffic.Through his courage, professionalism, and commitment to duty, Corporal Whitford helped save a life. Those present joined in thanking him for his service.

Discussion: Annexation of a parcel of approximately 0.7127 acres located on Yealey Drive, adjacent to the city limits. City Administrator Joshua Hunt presented. He noted that the end of Yealey Drive is unincorporated Boone County. A property owner wishes to build a single-family home on a lot already zoned for single-family residential. The owner seeks annexation to obtain full city services and connect to city utilities. The request is a consensual annexation that meets the requirements of KRS 81A.410 and 81A.412. The Boone County Fiscal Court has been notified as required. No questions were raised by the members present. No action was taken due to the lack of a quorum.

Discussion: Zoning Map Amendment re: Athena Hospitality Group, 4700 Houston Road. Consideration of Resolution R-26-022-A of the Boone County Planning Commission recommending approval, with conditions, for a request of Athena Hospitality Group (Applicant) for JDV Ventures LLC (Owner) for a Zoning Map Amendment from Commercial Two/Planned Development/Houston-Donaldson Study Corridor Overlay (C-2/PD/HDO) to Office Two/Planned Development/Houston-Donaldson Study Corridor Overlay (O-2/PD/HDO) for an approximate 14.64-acre area located at 4700 Houston Road, Florence, Kentucky.

Mr. Morgan presented a detailed overview, including site vicinity maps, aerial views, site history (approved for future retail in 1990 but never developed), current and proposed zoning, topography, future land use, and a revised concept plan. The change would allow greater building square footage and height. Proposed uses include a sit-down restaurant, office building, and a five-story hotel, with shared parking, green-space compliance, and specific conditions regarding access (Beam Boulevard extension with roundabout and stop control), buffers, architecture, site furniture, tree preservation near the interstate, fencing, detention basins, and shared parking agreements. Conditions of approval from the Planning Commission were reviewed. No additional public hearing was required. Members present asked no questions. No action was taken due to the lack of a quorum.

Discussion: Annexation of a parcel of approximately 33.5 acres located on Bowman Way, Old Union Road, and Longbranch Road adjacent to the city limits. City Administrator Joshua Hunt presented. The request is a voluntary annexation of approximately 33.5 acres consisting of properties owned by Streutker Development Company, Steven Witt, and Duke Energy. The Duke Energy right-of-way is being purchased by the City for the continuation of Bowman Way as a public street. The annexation is tied to the zoning map amendment that follows and will not be finalized if that amendment does not move forward. Council previously authorized the right-of-way purchase. No questions were raised. No action was taken due to the lack of a quorum.

Discussion: Zoning Map Amendment re: Bowman Way, Old Union Road, and Longbranch Road. This item concerned the Boone County Planning Commission s recommendation of denial of a zoning map amendment request. The request was submitted by Silverman and Company LLC (applicant) for Steven Witt and Streutker Development LLC (owners). It sought to rezone an approximately 32.96-acre area at 8928, 8936, and 8946 Old Union Road (PIDN 051.00-00-038.01) from Rural Suburban Estates/Union Town Overlay (RSE/UTO) and Rural Suburban/Union Town Overlay (RS/UTO) to Urban Residential One/Planned Development (UR-1/PD). The recommendation was to be forwarded to the City of Florence. Because no quorum was present, the item was limited to presentations. No Council discussion or vote occurred.

Staff Presentation

Mr. Morgan provided a detailed overview using maps and slides. The site has frontage on Longbranch Road and Old Union Road. Primary access would be via a planned extension of Bowman Way through a Duke Energy substation parcel. A future connection to a Long Branch Road connector was shown, along with possible gated emergency access to Old Union Road (contingent on City of Union approval).

The concept plan proposes 340 apartments (170 one-bedroom and 170 two-bedroom) in 11 buildings at a density of 10.3 dwelling units per acre. Amenities include a clubhouse, pool, pickleball court, dog park, and gathering areas. Parking totals 611 spaces (surface stalls, attached garages, and detached garages). Significant tree preservation and buffers (including a 30-foot and 60-foot buffer in disturbed areas) were shown. Approximately 10 acres at the rear would remain undeveloped.

Exceptions requested under the Planned Development overlay included reduced setbacks along the Bowman Way extension and an increase in maximum building height from 45 feet to 48 feet for certain buildings. Building heights varied: some at 2.5 stories, others at 3, 3.5 or 4 stories (the tallest requiring the height increase). Topography drops nearly 100 feet from Old Union Road (approximately 860 feet elevation) to Longbranch Road near a creek (approximately 770 feet).

Specific Traffic Improvements Proposed

The traffic impact study, prepared in accordance with City of Florence and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet standards and subsequently approved by KYTC, recommended the following improvements at the Bowman Way/US Highway 42 intersection, which the developer has agreed to construct if the development is approved: removal of the existing median on Bowman Way in order to construct a dedicated left-turn lane, a through lane, and a right-turn lane exiting Bowman Way (currently configured as a left-turn lane and a shared through/right-turn lane); provision of a left-turn lane with approximately 70 to 75 feet of storage (with an additional left-turn lane of approximately 110 feet of storage referenced in related improvements); revision of pavement markings and signage on Braxton Drive to establish a separate left-turn lane; and modification of the existing traffic signal to accommodate a five-section signal head providing a right-turn overlap on the Bowman Way approach.

Public comments from the August 5 Planning Commission hearing were summarized: 12 people spoke in opposition and approximately 72 emails were submitted. Concerns included traffic, infrastructure and services capacity, school impacts, fire/EMS response times, flooding, loss of rural character, density, and skepticism of the traffic study s growth assumptions.

Reasons for the Planning Commission Recommendation of Denial

The Planning Commission s findings supporting denial: (1) the proposed map amendment from RSE/UTO and RS/UTO to UR-1/PD is not consistent with the Boone County 2045 Comprehensive Plan; (2) the existing RSE/UTO and RS/UTO zoning districts are appropriate and are in agreement with the recommendations of the comprehensive plan and the 2000 Union Town Plan; (3) the proposed UR-1/PD district, together with the submitted concept plan, is inappropriate; and (4) there have been no changes of an economic, physical, or social nature not anticipated by the comprehensive plan that substantially alter the area s character. The comprehensive plan was adopted in February 2026. The Florence Planning and Zoning Committee reviewed the application on October 14 and forwarded it to Council without a recommendation. Conditions of approval had been prepared in the event Council elects to approve the request.

Applicant Presentation

Representatives of the applicant then presented. Lauren Wolf of DBL Law outlined the multi-year history of the project, including coordination with city and county staff, design revisions to accommodate the Long Branch Road connector, and the full Planning Commission process. She noted that the zone-change committee had recommended approval (3-2) before the full Planning Commission recommended denial. She argued that the evidentiary record supports the legal findings necessary to overturn a recommendation of denial under KRS Chapter 100, citing consistency with the Boone County 2045 Comprehensive Plan (when read as a whole, including focus-area guidance for the Richwood-Union area) and the appropriateness of the proposed zoning relative to the existing zoning. She emphasized that the Planned Development overlay allows site-specific commitments on buffering, open space, amenities, pedestrian infrastructure, and connectivity.

Ryan Silverman of Silverman and Company described the product as high-end, resort-style apartment homes intended for working professionals and empty nesters. Floor plans range from studios to two-bedroom/two-bath-plus-den units, with rents approximately $1,450 $2,850 per month. Features include quartz countertops, in-unit washers and dryers, smart locks, and extensive amenities (resort-style pool, fitness center, co-working space, dog park, pickleball, etc.). He noted the density is lower than several recent comparable multifamily developments in the area and argued the site functions as a transitional use between the commercial US Highway 42 corridor and lower-density residential areas to the north and west. He highlighted the developer s commitment to reserve right-of-way for the future Longbranch Road connector at no cost.

Ed Reed of Bayer Becker (traffic engineer) reviewed the KYTC-approved traffic impact study and the specific improvements the developer has agreed to construct at the Bowman Way/US Highway 42 intersection.

Mayor s Summary of Options

Mayor Julie Metzger-Aubuchon explained the options available once a quorum is present: take no action (allowing the Planning Commission s recommendation of denial to stand); vote to affirm the denial; or overturn the Planning Commission s recommendation of denial, which requires a supermajority of four of the six Council members. The Mayor noted she cannot vote on planning and zoning matters or break a tie. She stated the matter would be brought forward at the next meeting at which a quorum is present. No further discussion occurred.

This item remains pending. The related annexation of the approximately 33.5-acre area (Agenda Item 11) is contingent on the zoning map amendment moving forward.

Recognition Public Services Director Eric Hall Retirement

Mayor Metzger-Aubuchon recognized Public Services Director Eric Hall on the occasion of his retirement. She described the close working relationship among the City s department heads and noted that Mr. Hall has served the City since high school, advancing from field technician through inspector, project administrator, and project manager to Public Services Director over 27 years. She highlighted innovations in technology, snow-removal operations (in which Florence is a leader), staff development, and the successful internal succession that produced his successor.

The Mayor read a proclamation designating October 30, 2026 (Mr. Hall s last day) as Eric Hall Day, honoring his distinguished career, leadership of a 74-employee department across eight divisions (transportation, water, sewer, storm water, parks and recreation, and facility and fleet maintenance), management of an approximately $18 million budget, culture of teamwork, and volunteer coaching of youth sports. Congratulations and best wishes for a well-deserved retirement were extended.

Mr. Hall then addressed those present. He thanked Council for its support over the years, the other department heads for the collaborative working relationships that characterize Florence, the members of the Public Services Department (whom he identified as his greatest accomplishment), and the public. He introduced his successor, Adam (operations superintendent for approximately 11 years and a 13-year employee), and expressed confidence in the department s continued progress. He also thanked his family for their support.

14. Closed Session

No closed session was conducted.

15. Adjournment

The Mayor stated that there was no other business and adjourned the meeting. No formal motion was required or taken, given the absence of a quorum for action items.

Mayoral candidate David Rose was in attendance. City Council candidates Shari Kilmer and Jim Leach were in attendance.