LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Dozens in the Floyds Fork community packed a public meeting on Tuesday. They shared suggestions in front of the Louisville Metro Office of Planning for the last time before the decades long regulations regarding waterways and land activity are changed.
"If we don't get this part of it right, you can kiss Floyds Fork and the core of the Parklands goodbye," Jeff Frank, the founder of Friends of Floyds Fork, said.
The district has existed for 30 years and current zoning rules uses language that is outdated.
Community members said development is out of control and they want to slow it down. They said a strategy is needed that protects Floyds Fork for future generations.
"We're calling for tougher protections for tree canopy, [and] much tougher attention being paid to storm water, which is one of our biggest problems," Frank said.
So far, the Office of Planning has drafted an overlay of the district. That includes everything from road crossings, hill sides, drainage and water quality.
"The guidelines that are there, they say things like 'should,' and, so it's kind of hard to regulate the activities," Brian Davis, the assistant director at Louisville Metro Office of Planning, said.
Davis said the purpose of this regulation is to serve as proof of what's required.
Kacey Frazier has lived in Floyds Fork for 10 years and has noticed rapid, unusual erosion around her home.
"They're missing some important points so they have no open space requirement in the Floyd Fork DRO," she said.
Frazier and so many others want a buffer for the wildlife and peace, and hope this zoning rule doesn't allow developers to build irresponsibly.
The Parklands of Floyds Fork just expanded by 664 acres.
"The acquisition of more property, I think, is pretty significant for our community," community member Josh Shouse said.
The Parklands now at more than 4,000 acres protected from developers.
More than 150 acres of will be added here to Turkey Run Park.
Overall, people are waiting patiently, but they said Floyds Fork can't afford to wait.
The community will have another chance to share their thoughts during a public hearing scheduled for Jan. 4 in front of the Louisville Metro Planning Commission.
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