Adoption of the Direction 2030 comprehensive plan in September marked the beginning of efforts to implement it. Almost immediately, several zoning text modifications needed to be made to each of Kenton County’s 20 zoning ordinances to reflect terminology that changed in the new plan.
Key terms such as ‘urban service area’ and ‘physically restrictive development area’ have been used in Kenton County’s planning documents and zoning ordinances for decades. Direction 2030 established new terminology for these terms following discussions with the community to develop new terms that are more reflective of the policies. Consistent terminology between the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances is necessary to avoid confusion in administration.
In November, the Kenton County Planning Commission approved a favorable recommendation on the text amendments that are required to bring the zoning ordinance of each of Kenton County’s 20 jurisdictions into compliance with Direction 2030.
“These amendments were anticipated during the final stages of the comprehensive plan process,” said Sharmili Reddy, AICP, PDS’ planning manager. “We’re working with our 20 legislative bodies now to act on these changes fairly soon to avoid any confusion.”
Several jurisdictions have approved ordinances and adopted the changed terminology. PDS staff is working closely with the remaining jurisdictions to complete the adoption process.