A zoning change that would have enabled the construction of a large wedding and event center, dubbed the Allora, on the north side of Hathaway Road in Union was voted down in a split vote Monday night.
Union City Commissioners John Mefford and Doug Bine voted in favor of the change, whereas City Commissioners George Eldridge, Kim Tuyn and Mayor Larry Solomon voted against the change.
“I just think that this is just a little bit too risky for the city of Union,” Solomon said.
On July 9, the Union City Commission
hosted a public hearing for a zone change request
to change an 18.8-acre site on Hathaway Road, between Old Union Road and Spruce Lane, from a Suburban Residential One zone to a Suburban Residential One/Planned Development zone. Edgewood-based Arlinghaus Builders owns the land.
The zone change request was made by the Northern Kentucky Development Alliance, a holding company formed by Dale McPherson, a founding builder of Triple Crown Country Club, and Patrick Rector, founder of Rector Excavating.
The 13,000-square-foot event center, whose name translates to “at this time” in Italian, would primarily host weddings but also host other events, such as concerts.
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The Boone County Planning Commission narrowly
voted to recommend denial of the zone change request
during a meeting on May 7, which caused a snag in the project’s approval. The commission was sharply divided, passing the denial recommendation in a 6-5 vote.
The planning commission expressed several reservations, mainly regarding noise mitigation, traffic control and the proposed septic system. Due to its proximity to the Westbrook Estates residential neighborhood, several neighboring property owners expressed reservations or outright opposition to the proposed development.
The Union City Commission, however, has the power to override the planning commission’s recommendation with enough votes from local legislators.
Eldridge and Tuyn expressed worries about the commercial septic system necessary for the facility, which developers had proposed to overbuild in an effort to head off any problems, and the venue’s effect on traffic.
“I come from a small town in southern Illinois,” Eldridge said, “and there are a lot of septic tanks in that area, and apparently they weren’t well maintained because we got the benefit of being able to smell it quite frequently.”
Tuyn said she didn’t have an issue with the venue itself but rather its proposed location – it didn’t seem to fall into line with the county’s comprehensive plan.
“The project would introduce a commercial destination approximately three-quarters of a mile off the US 42 port,” Tuyn said. “The city of Union residents strongly value the balance between ongoing development and maintaining our semi-rural, family-oriented environment. Allowing an event center in this particular location could also set a precedent for other additional incompatible land use.”
Mefford and Bine were less concerned about the septic system and possible noise from concerts and other events. Mefford, for instance, pointed out that even though weddings might take place outside in the venue, receptions where music was played would be inside. Bine said conversations he’d had with McPherson after a previous meeting had allayed his concerns.
“I kept coming back to the zoning,” Mefford said of his decision making process. “How was it originally zoned, and why is it being changed? At the end of the day, I have to realize that I sit here representing the citizens of Union, not the citizens of unincorporated Boone County, and ask myself, ‘Will this be a good business that will benefit economically all of the citizens that live within the city limits?’… I believe it is in the best interest of the city.”
“I think it’s a good project,” Bine said.
Solomon, for his part, was not convinced that the business would be profitable.
“My analysis of the thing is that I do not believe that they have as deep pockets as some of these other developers…,” Solomon said. “If it goes under, then a building would be vacant for a while – could affect property sales. We don’t know who the retailer would be to come back into it and so that put a lot of doubt in my mind.”
The commission cast its vote early in the meeting. The developers attended the meeting but did not comment.
Kenton Hornbeck contributed reporting to this story.
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