Residents express concern over zoning change in Nicholasville

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) — Residents of Minnow Cove Court in Nicholasville are concerned about a proposed rezoning in the area.
They say they’re worried about the impact it could have in the residential areas.

“We want to make a contribution to this community, and do what’s best for everyone involved. But we also want to protect, you know, our homes and the value of our homes,” says Mark Whitworth, a concerned resident of the Minnow Cove Court area.

Those living near Keene Road, like in the Minnow Cove Court Area, Squires Way and surrounding areas are concerned for what is being proposed.

“What the residents of Minnow Cove Court are looking for is an intelligent compromise.  These are citizens that have chosen to live in Nicholasville. And they are, very interested in making a contribution to this community. So we are not anti growth at all. We want to see our community thrive and grow,” he adds.

Lexington Developer Keene 169, an L.L.C filed an application for a zone map amendment for over 21 acres.
They want to change it from an A-1 county central agriculture area to a B-1 city central business district.
That property is located on 1281 Keene Road.

“We were taken by surprise when we received a letter in the mail just a few weeks ago and were made aware and we were also provided a, a plot map if you will of the development. And we were really shocked by the density and even the type of commercial entities that would be in this development,” says Whitworth, who lives just behind the proposed zoning change.
The proposal includes the building of a hotel, various restaurants and even some stores in between.

“If you look at best practices in commercial real estate, it is highly unusual to put a three story hotel right back up, to a nice residential area,” he added.

Tim Thompson is a newer resident of the Minnow Cove Court area, “moved in about the first part of September. We had asked the real estate agent that we were using about any development of the farm behind us and they said nothing was in the works. So this really caught us off guard.”

He says, his concerns stem from how the new changes could impact the future of the Minnow Cove Court area.

“Is how busy the intersection is in 169 and the Nicholasville Bypass,” said Thompson.

A special meeting of the Nicholasville Planning Commission is scheduled for Monday December 11th at 7:30.

“Our hope is, is that we can find some common ground. I mean, we would love nothing more than to be able to find a compromise where we could all be in great support of this initiative,” said Whitworth.

We reached out to the planning commission for comment, they have yet to respond.