tldrgov

Planning and Zoning Committee

Tuesday, August 4, 2026 · 1:00 PM AM · Council Chambers/Virtual

TL;DR

The Planning and Zoning Committee approved four ordinances on August 4, 2026, including amendments to binding elements for a property on English Station Road and closures of two alleys/streets. The committee also passed an amended temporary moratorium on rezoning and development permits for telecommunications hotels and data centers while the Planning Commission reviews potential changes. All approved items will be presented to the full Metro Council on August 13, 2026.

Key Decisions

  • Property Binding Elements Amendment (908 S. English Station Road, 12.5 acres) Recommended for approval
  • Closure of unnamed alley near W. Breckinridge Street and S. 8th Street Recommended for approval
  • Closure of Mermaid Lane (1.165 acres) Recommended for approval
  • Temporary moratorium on telecommunications hotels and data center development Passed with amendments
Agenda PDF

Agenda

  1. Call to Order

    Chair Owen called the meeting to order at 1:04 p.m.

  2. Roll Call

    Chair Owen introduced the committee and non-committee members present. A quorum was established. NOTE: All committee and non-committee members present attended in Chambers, except Vice Chair Reed, Committee Member Raymond, Committee Member Benson and Council Member Hawkins, who attended virtually.

  3. Pending Legislation
  4. 1. AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE AMENDMENT TO BINDING ELEMENTS FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 908 S. ENGLISH STATION ROAD CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 12.5 ACRES AND BEING IN LOUISVILLE METRO (CASE NO. 26AMEND0002).
    Ordinance
    Action: recommended for approval Passed

    A motion was made by Committee Member Hudson, seconded by Committee Member Ruhe, that this Ordinance be recommended for approval. Julia Williams, Office of Planning, gave a presentation on the Planning Commission’s recommendation (see attached). Chair Owen spoke to this item. The motion carried by the following vote and the Ordinance was sent to the Consent Calendar:

  5. 2. AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE CLOSURE OF AN UNNAMED ALLEY NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF W. BRECKINRIDGE STREET AND S. 8TH STREET CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 5,500 SQUARE FEET AND BEING IN LOUISVILLE METRO (CASE NO. 26STRCLOSURE0010).
    Ordinance
    Action: recommended for approval Passed

    A motion was made by Committee Member Hudson, seconded by Committee Member Ruhe, that this Ordinance be recommended for approval. Julia Williams, Office of Planning, gave a presentation on the Planning Commission’s recommendation (see attached). The following also spoke to this item: - Chair Owen - Vice Chair Reed - Laura Ferguson, Jefferson County Attorney's Office The motion carried by the following vote and the Ordinance was sent to the Consent Calendar:

  6. 3. AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE CLOSURE OF MERMAID LANE CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 1.165 ACRES AND BEING IN LOUISVILLE METRO (CASE NO. 26STRCLOSURE0017).
    Ordinance
    Action: recommended for approval Passed

    A motion was made by Committee Member Hudson, seconded by Committee Member Ruhe, that this Ordinance be recommended for approval. Julia Williams, Office of Planning, gave a presentation on the Planning Commission’s recommendation (see attached). Chair Owen stated he has spoken to Council Member Winkler and that he is in support of this street closure. The motion carried by the following vote and the Ordinance was sent to the Consent Calendar:

  7. 4. AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON REZONING, CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS AND PLAN CERTAIN, CATEGORY 2B AND 3 DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPLICATIONS RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATION HOTELS AND DATA CENTERS PENDING A REVIEW AND RECOMMENDED CHANGES BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION (AS AMENDED).
    Ordinance
    Action: Returned to the table

    A motion was made by Committee Member Ruhe, seconded by Committee Member Hudson, that this Ordinance be returned to the table. Committee Member Hudson read a proposed amendment into the record. Laura Ferguson, Jefferson County Attorney's Office, also spoke to this item. A motion was made by Committee Member Hudson, seconded by Committee Member Ruhe, that this Ordinance be amended. Note: ____________________________________

  8. Adjournment

    Without objection, Chair Owen adjourned the meeting at 1:28 p.m.

  9. Note: Items sent to the Consent Calendar or Old Business will be heard before the full Council at the Metro Council meeting on August 13, 2026.
  10. page break
  11. Transcript
  12. Clerk(s)

    Cheryl Woods, Assistant Clerk Sonya Harward, Clerk

  13. Support Staff

    Laura Ferguson, Jefferson County Attorney's Office

  14. Non Member(s)

    Council Member Tammy Hawkins (D-1), Council Member Jennifer Chappell (D-15)

  15. 4. AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON REZONING, CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS AND PLAN CERTAIN, CATEGORY 2B AND 3 DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPLICATIONS RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATION HOTELS AND DATA CENTERS PENDING A REVIEW AND RECOMMENDED CHANGES BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION (AS AMENDED).
    Ordinance
    Action: amended Passed

    The following spoke to the proposed amendment: - Council Member Chappell - Laura Ferguson, Jefferson County Attorney's Office A motion was made by Committee Member Parrish-Wright, seconded by Committee Member Ruhe, that this Ordinance be amended as shown in the attached document titled "O-135-26 V.2 CAM 080426 Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers.pdf." The motion carried by a voice vote. The motion to recommend for approval carried by the following vote and the Ordinance was sent to the Old Business: