What's New?

A new era of planning and zoning in Kenton County launched in Spring 2021 with the unveiling of an ordinance that creates a modern and more user-and business-friendly zoning code.

The Kenton County Z21 effort updates existing zoning codes that were adopted decades ago with a flexible, streamlined and simpler ordinance that communities throughout the county can customize to meet their individual needs.

The City of Villa Hills was the first community in Kenton County embracing the new zoning ordinance. Subsequently, the Cities of Independence, Erlanger and Elsmere have also updated their codes. 

Along with more ease of use, standardized code sections and the ability of communities and customize the code to meet its needs, other benefits include:

• Improved efficiency, flexibility, simplicity and predictability;

• An online platform that can be easily searched and cross-referenced;

• A streamlined approval process;

• Utilizing Link-GIS to ensure existing neighborhoods match the new zoning standards;

• Protecting the unique character of compatible infill development through architectural standards for commercial and residential buildings and infill development incentives;

• Protecting environmental, cultural and historic resources through floodplain hillside development standards, tree preservation requirements, stream buffers.

The newly adopted codes for these cities may be viewed Here. 

PDS’ infrastructure inspection and GIS staffs completed and delivered two asset inventory projects recently. The Erlanger project was comprehensive in nature, requiring an inspector to walk 120 miles of city sidewalk and curb to record the GPS coordinates of every pavement failure along with its type and severity. The inspector also pursued a pavement condition assessment for 60 miles of street while walking them. The project took three months to complete.

The Villa Hills project was the first of four annual installments. Like the Erlanger effort, this project required an inspector to walk 18 miles of sidewalk and curb to record the GPS coordinates of each pavement failure along with its type and severity. This project took one month to complete.

PDS’ GIS staff took these data, plotted the location of each failure on a map, created an electronic dashboard as a means for city personnel to interact with the data, and served up the deliverable to the city. Each GPS point on the map ties to an electronic database of ratings: Very Good; Good; Fair; Poor; and Very Poor to classify pavement condition.

Inventories like these are undertaken generally during winter months when street and sidewalk construction is slow. In the past, staff from these two departments have collaborated on similar projects for Covington, Park Hills, Elsmere, and Kenton County.

Click image for a larger view