The Courier-Journal - Tuesday, October 2, 2001, By Bill Pike
Despite opposition from some neighbors, plans moved forward last night for a large apartment complex on Factory Lane in eastern Jefferson County.
The Louisville-Jefferson County Planning Commission recommended zoning changes that would let Hagan Seay Properties build a complex with 504 apartments.
The development, at 13500 Factory Lane, would have 21 buildings on 32.9 acres formerly used by Golf World Driving Range. The site is zoned commercial and single-family residential; the developers want it rezoned for multifamily use.
“I think this is a high-level apartment design,” said Mark Adams, the commission member who moved to recommend the new zonings.
The vote was 6-1, with one abstention to support Adams’ motion. About 50 people attended the two-hours hearing at the East Governmental center in Middletown.
Fiscal Court will have final say on the zoning change.
Bill Bardenwerper, a lawyer who represented the developers, said the complex, to be called The Paddock at Eastpointe, would provide homes for blue-collar workers, such as those at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant. The area has “a great need” for apartments, Bardenwerper said.
Buildings in The Paddock would have peaked roofs, gables and mostly brick exteriors. The complex would have green spaces, walking trails and a horse-farm fence around its perimeter.
“We’re trying to project a relaxed lifestyle,” said John Owens, a Dallas architect who helped design the complex.
Traffic consultant Jim Pasikowski said 80 percent of the traffic generated by the complex would use Factory Lane and La Grange Road. To help keep traffic moving, the developers agreed to install turn lanes on those roads.
Cornerstone 2020, the county’s planning guide, designates the site as “a suburban workplace” – an area characterized “by predominantly industrial office uses,” according to the guide.
The word “predominantly” means the guide does not exclude apartments and other uses, Bardenwerper argued.
Six speakers contended that the complex is unwanted and unneeded and would add traffic to busy roads.
“Thirty-three acres of apartments isn’t appropriate,” said state Rep. Bob Heleringer, R-Eastwood.
Jim Kennedy, chairman of the Old Henry Neighborhood Organization, said he doubted La Grange Road would carry most of the traffic from the complex. Tie-ups there already push traffic onto Old Henry and other area roads, he said.
“This is a serious, serious problem,” he said, urging the commission to stop approving large projects until roads and other services can support them. Kennedy said he would prefer office buildings to apartment because an office complex would be quiet at night and on weekends.
Matt Jones, whose property borders the complex site, agreed that traffic on Factory Lane is bad. “We pretty well need a traffic light at the end of our driveway,” he said.
Doug Murphy, of Rock Bay Drive, said apartments would “have an adverse impact on the value of our homes and our quality of life.”
Only commission Chairman Jack Dulworth voted against the project. “I agree with Dr. Kennedy,” Dulworth said. “We ought to build office buildings there.”