Any controlled growth in Oldham County? (Lexington, La Grange: apartments, new home, buy)

[K. Dunn]

Probably a question most for Tomocox or STYX.

I have noticed following the local news for Oldham County a lot of battles over growth issues with developers. Is there a controlled growth plan in Oldham County? I have seen what it is like to have a area build up too fast here in Thousand Oaks, CA. Just read about how the school district is attempting to plot out spots for future schools before the developers get a hold of it.

Where we live currently, they definitely are building way too fast for the road infrastructure. One thing I do like though over here is when a developer is given the go on a new area, they area also responsible for creating a large usable park/open space nearby, as well as if the size of the new development is large, nearby amenities and a school are also part of the plan for it to be acceptable.

Now I know no one can hold back growth, but there definitely should be some control of that growth. The Napa Valley in Northern California [also lived there for awhile] had a very hard-line on growth, only allowing a few new homes to be built each year. It has kept there smaller town feel longer than surrounding areas like Fairfield, Vallejo, ect.

I would worry about being someone who wants to move and buy a home with some land around it, only to see that open area nearby sold by the owner and turned into a track home complex or apartments.

I have read this problem has already been happining around Lexington with farms selling out to developers, which really makes the area start to lose it's charm. Let me know your thoughts and some facts. Thanks!

[tomocox]

Since about 2000, Oldham County has debated growth including attempts to place building moratoriums. Yes, Kentucky law has been revised to allow Planning & Zoning authorities to place certain pre-build requirements on developers. For example, a large regional developer wanted to develop a property south of LaGrange. As part of the approval, the developer had to pay for the Kentucky Dept of Highways widening of Hwy 53.

The School Board, Emergency Services, and Sewer Districts must sign off on a developer's plans prior to P&Z approval. Of course, for years, property facing rezoning from for example agricultural to residential has to be approved by the Fiscal Court (KY's name for county governmental board of directors)

[K. Dunn]

Thanks for that Tom. I kind of answered my own question by looking at the Oldham County website. Found a 150+ pg report for future land use involving outdoor activity areas promoting good health. The report talked about paved and non-paved walking/hiking paths, bicycle paths, open spaces, park improvements, walkable sidewalks, Horse trails, ect., ect. Seemed like a very extensive report in what people want and use. Love to hear about that kind of stuff. Some of it going all the way out to 2030!!! Now I wasn't too concerned with what they think they will do in 22 years from now , but it seems they are on the right path. Love towns that think from a pedestrian and driver standpoint. Noticed the large lack of sidewalks in the area. Kind of a good/bad issue. Love the look of small narrow roads [like Europe/UK] beautiful country lanes, but also you will find more people out enjoying those same lanes walking, bicycling, or riding there horses to see and enjoy all that beauty other than being in their car if that same road had a roadside bicycle path or dirt trail along side. A mix of both would be good. I will attach one picture of a very cool bicycle path created not too long ago in our small town nearby called Ojai. This town reminds me a lot of the Oldham Area, especially La Grange. Vegation similar. I could see a paved trail like this From La Grange to let's say Prospect or Crestwood? Similar to that mill creek trail that Jefferson County is working on. Nuff said.