HEBRON, Ky. — Restaurants, apartments and a business park could all be coming to Boone County as part of new development spanning roughly 2,500 acres.
The new Interstate 275 exit near Hebron, which popped up recently, is part of the proposed plan that could be the first of many changes folks will see over the next 20 years.
The Graves Road Interchange, one mile west of Hebron, is still being built, and already Boone County officials have big plans for the future of the area. The plan, started in 1995 and revived in 2016, was presented at the Boone County Planning Commission’s Wednesday evening meeting.
In the proposal, land north of I-275 is slated for industry, with commercial zoning next to it for restaurants, retail, hotels and more.
Beyond the treeline of future retail nearing the treetops and Thornwilde subdivisions could be apartments, condos and more homes. Multi-family apartments will be used as a buffer between industrial and single family homes, officials said, and residents can expect industrial traffic to stay off of quiet neighborhood streets.
South of I-275, vacant land could become a business park for corporate headquarters and light industrial facilities.
The goal of the project: to create a unique "gateway" to Boone County for businesses and families, planning commission officials said.
But for members of the Graves family, who have owned land in Boone County dating back to the late 1700s and are now down to their last 120 acres south of the highway, the change is tough.
“I’ve been a resident my entire life," said Randy Graves. "Since I grew up in the ‘60s on the farm. I love the farm, I hate to see things change. I hate to see Boone County change. I know it's progress. Everyone loves progress.”
“I feel like we have loved Boone County, contributed, and we ask you to be fair for us to be able to have industrial on our farm,” added Sue Graves, who also lives nearby. “It was hard going through this. We cried. We had tears.”
Homeowners speaking during the meeting said they know change could be coming, as they only proposed minor changes to the overall plan.
“I think staff did a good job,” said Bob Schroder, vice president of Arlinghaus Builders. “It's not perfect. That's why I wrote my letter and had my comment. I do appreciate it."
Planning commission officials say the proposed zoning changes will not force anyone from their homes -- they're simply preparing for future growth by putting the infrastructure and a plan in place.
The commission could vote to approve the plan by Jan. 6, and Boone County Fiscal Court could then take action at its virtual meeting on Jan. 20.
View the full proposal below.
I-275 Graves Road Interchange Study Presentation by WCPO Web Team on Scribd
