The Oldham County Planning and Development staff and its consultant firm URS are seeking input regarding a planned 10-foot wide pedestrian and bicycle bridge over I-71 in Buckner near Exit 17. The bridge would be a critical part of the planned Oldham County Greenway linking LaGrange and Pewee Valley. The bridge will provide a safe crossing over I-71 and represents a key element in achieving the Oldham County Interurban Greenways vision. The project is funded and in included in the Oldham County Bike, Pedestrian, & Greenways Trails Master Plan from 2008. Oldham Ahead worked with Greenways for Oldham County and the Oldham County Planning and Development staff in developing the plan and obtaining approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission and Fiscal Court.

Oldham County Government and Greenways for Oldham County are using the plan to implement programmed priority projects. The joint effort between county government and local non-profit groups demonstrate the cooperation needed to improve the quality of life for Oldham County citizens. We urge you to visit the Wendell Moore Park trails and the Commerce Parkway trail to see the progress over the past two years.

Couple enjoying walk along Phase 2 of the Wendell Moore Park Trail

A jogger running on the Phase One trail system at Wendell Moore Park. The trail offers some spectacular views and provides a safe venue for walking and running.

A runner and bicyclists are using the Commerce Parkway Bike and Pedestrian Trail on Oct 8. The 3.1 mile trail is nearly complete.

Visit OldhamGreenways.org

July 20, 2009

Oldham Ahead Releases White Paper

Interest Group Contributions in the 2006 Oldham County, Kentucky
Primary and General Elections for Local Offices

The 2006 primary and general elections for local offices in Oldham County, Kentucky were marked by the a significant increase of contributions from individuals and the candidates, as well as political action committee (PAC) contributions from home building interests, realtors, and even a labor union PAC. Whereas prior to 2006, PAC contributions were largely limited to the county judge-executive race (as well as one school board candidate in 2002), PACs contributed a record amount of funds to several county magistrate and county attorney candidates during the 2006 primary and general elections. Additionally, county races reflected a significant amount of contributions from individuals involved in the housing industry (builders, developers, realtors, suppliers, etc) that targeted specific races.

Election contribution data are available on-line at http://kref.state.ky.us/krefsearch. A review of candidates running for county office prior to 2006 reveals that in general, most magistrate candidates self-financed their campaigns, while PACs and housing industry individuals targeted significant funding to their favored judge-executive candidates the last three election cycles.

Both the level of individual contributions and the introduction of PAC funding have changed the dynamics of county elections raising the contributions threshold for local office candidates. Oldham Ahead believes that transparency of the contributions is important, as potential candidates for county office start positioning themselves for reelection or challenges for the 2010 elections.

Download, read, and pass along our White Paper. We believe it is important that citizens and potential candidates for county level positions for the 2010 primary elections understand the dynamics of local office campaign funding and the roles interest groups have on local races, public policy, and local taxes.

7 June 2010

May 18 Primary Elections

5 of 7 Incumbent Magistrates Defeated

Read the Courier-Journal's Andrea Uhde's Assessment of the 2010 Primary Result

Download, read, and pass along our White Paper.

February 14, 2009

Proposed Future Oldham County Roads on Planning Commission Docket for February 23

Oldham County Planning and Zoning Commission

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 9:00 AM

Oldham County Fiscal Court Room

The Planning Commission begins at 9:00 AM.

Agenda Includes:

PZ-PLAN-10-001 - As part of the Oldham County Major Thoroughfare Plan Update, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Oldham County Road Functional Classification and Proposed Future Roads to be adopted as an element of the Oldham County Comprehensive Plan. (Download Plan Update).

Oldham Ahead opposed the proposed connector road from a proposed new I-71 Interchange to US 42. The plan calls for connector roads from the proposed Interchange near Haunz Lane and Moser Farms Subdivision to US 42 and Hwy 22. A connector road to Hwy 22 will alleviate traffic problems at the Gene Snyder and I-71 interchange. A connector road from Haunz Lane is:

Cost prohibitive given the terrain, requirement for multiple bridges required in crossing multiple creeks and ravines

Poses environmental hazards and challenges in its construction to the Harrods Creek Watershed.

Redundant and not needed: There are four State roads that connect I-71 and U.S. 42 in Oldham County (Hwy 53, Hwy 393, Hwy 329, and Hwy 1694) in addition to the Gene Snyder Freeway. Current traffic counts do not indicate current or future need for a connector.

Counter to the transportation goals of the Brownsboro Area Master Plan.

Would traverse several properties listed on the National Register.

In short, the proposed connector road is fiscally irresponsible and impracticable. We urge the public to speak in opposition of this part of the proposed I-71 interchange connectors.

A second questionable proposed road that parallels Hwy 1694 to Hwy 393. The proposed route is only several hundred years south of Hwy 42 and would have minimal impact on traffic counts. We urge the public to question and oppose this proposed road as well during the Planning Commission hearing.

Both proposed roads appear to benefit special interests as opposed to the interests of the citizens of Oldham County.

August 15, 2009

Oldham Ahead has supported the concept of conservation designed subdivisions for over 10 years. In participating in the Brownsboro Area Master Plan development for over three years, we facilitated the introduction of a system of incentives for developers to consider conservation subdivisions in Oldham County. While this concept needs to be adopted in Oldham County zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations, the county is closer to including this option for developers to consider. The article below is from the Chicago Tribune and shows how the concept, aided by incentives, can be successfully applied.

chicagotribune.com

Subdivisions Designed for Conservation Get a Boost

Will County, others see developments bloom after rules were changed

By Dennis Sullivan

Special to the Tribune

August 5, 2009
One year after moving into a conservation subdivision between Monee and Manhattan, Will County Board member John Anderson's family remains smitten. "We really do love it," Anderson said of the 119-home residential Canterbury Lakes, which allocates 34 percent of its 160 acres for active and passive open space activities.

"You almost have a college-campus feel," Anderson said, noting the presence of "six or seven lakes and gazebos, and park benches everywhere" in the Green Garden Township subdivision, about 1 1/2 miles west of Interstate Highway 57.

With three sons at home, Anderson and his wife, Lora, are particularly pleased with the 4 1/2 -mile paved path that runs behind the homes in Canterbury Lakes. The boys enjoy bicycling on the path, which is at least 7 feet wide and takes advantage of hilly terrain and snakes in and out of nearby woods, he said.

Anderson said the children weren't allowed to leave the driveway of their previous home in a nearby village, "because we lived on Main Street."

But a few years ago, the Andersons and other home-buyers wanting a taste of rural living in a suburban environment in Will County would have been limited to a large-lot subdivision because of a county land-use ordinance strictly limiting the number of homes per acre.

According to the Conservation Foundation's Dan Lobbes, such ordinances are intended to prevent overbuilding, but they can have the side effect of discouraging developers interested in trying new approaches, like treating wetlands, creeks, groves of trees and other ecological aspects as assets, rather than developmental obstacles.

In June, the County Board amended the subdivision ordinance to establish conservation-designed subdivisions as a zoning classification joining two other collar counties -- Lake and McHenry -- that have similar allowances.

Read the entire article

In eastern Jefferson County, Louisville's first conservation subdivision development plan has been approved. The Courier-Journal has published an interesting article that describes the pro's and con's of the development design as well as some limitations in Jefferson County's ordinances. Oldham Ahead believes that conservation subdivision regulations in Oldham County should be developed, but should be streamlined (compared to Jefferson County) and should incorporate incentives for developers to adopt this widely used development practice throughout the United States.

Read the Courier-Journal Story from August 14

August 25, 2009

Oldham County Parks and Recreation Master Endorsed by Planning Commission

After nearly 2-1/2 years after its initiation, the Oldham County Parks and Recreation Master Plan has been completed and is undergoing its formal review before the Oldham County Planning Commission and the Oldham County Fiscal Court.

The Oldham County Planning and Zoning Commission endorsed a master plan Tuesday, August 25 for parks and recreation in Oldham.

The plan, which identifies locations for new parks and improvements for current ones, will go before Oldham County Fiscal Court and the city councils and commissions in Pewee Valley, La Grange and Crestwood.

The Master plan was completed by the nationally recognized firm of Brandstetter-Carroll. Community input from a variety of sources, to include Oldham Ahead and the Oldham County Equine Council, led to the vision of the parks and recreation for Oldham County.

This plan updates a Parks and Recreation Master Plan that is over 10 years old. The updated Master Plan is called for by the Oldham County Comprehensive Plan and is includes input from the 2008 approved Oldham County Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan.

Read the Oldham Era story by John Foster

Download the Draft Plan

September 12th Annual River Daze Festival in Westport to Combine Festival and Studio Art Tour

(Information extracted from the Courier-Journal)

Westport will hold its 10th annual Westport River Daze festival on Sept. 12, the same weekend of the annual Oldham Studio Tour and Art Sale.

The studio tour, now in its fourth year, will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 12 and noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 13. The tour will showcase work of artists across the county, allowing people to tour 18 studios and view the work of 45 artists. Seven studios will be in La Grange, one in Crestwood, one in Pewee Valley, and nine in Westport.

A self-guided map is available at www.westportgeneralstore.com. The tours are free.

The Westport River Daze festival will begin at 7 a.m. Sept. 12 with a 5k run/walk and community yard sale. A parade down Main Street in Westport will start at 10 a.m., and a horseshoe tournament will get under way at 11 a.m.

The Bluegrass Cornhole sanctioned tournament starts at 1 p.m.

There also will be a car show, a 2 p.m. river boat cruise, guided historical walking tours at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., kids' activities, food and music.

Watercraft demonstrations and races will be held near the Westport boat dock at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

For more information or for tickets, call 222-0646 or visit www.friendsofwestport.org. Tickets for the boat ride cost $16 for adults, $15 for seniors and $8 for children.

Read Andrea Uhde's full story in the Courier-Journal.

Friends of Westport Working to Rehabilitate 1882 Schoolhouse

The Friends of Westport are actively working to rehabilitate its signature schoolhouse located on the Westport commons. The purpose of the project is to rehabilitate and preserve the original one-room schoolhouse and its addition for use as a community and regional arts and education center and museum. The museum will house schoolhouse artifacts and may include an exhibit commemorating Alexis de Tocqueville's visit to Westport on December 5, 1831 as well as an exhibit highlighting Westport's role as a model of 19th century transportation infrastructure in America.

Oldham Ahead is assisting Friends of Westport in preparing grants to support the project, which will likely require over $300,000 to complete.

While Westport's history is generally well documented from a local perspective, Alexis de Tocqueville's unscheduled stop in Westport due to the freezing of the Ohio River is an event of national importance which is not included in the local accounts of Westport's history. Tocqueville and his traveling companion found transportation in Westport to Louisville, and then continued their journey over land to Memphis as opposed by boat, thus exposing the pair to Kentucky and its citizens for several days. Tocqueville went on to write his landmark book, Democracy in America, and his stop in Westport is included, as well as his thoughts on Kentucky and its people.

Tocqueville's visit was highlighted by C-SPAN in 1997, and included a filming from Westport. Tocqueville is still featured on the C-SPAN web, and can be accessed at www.tocqueville.org. The University of Virginia also maintains a current Tocqueville website and Tocqueville's stop in Westport can be easily found on the site.

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/DETOC/home.html

Tocqueville's visit to Westport might be linked to the school rehabilitation project to provide regional and national visibility to the effort and to assist in fundraising.

Download a presentation on Tocqueville's visit to Westport.

2008 Year to Date: Building Permits Continue to Decline

The total number of Oldham County new housing units building permits issued from January 2008 through June 2008 totaled 129,
compared to 181 during the same period in 2007. Single-family detached building permits realized a 50 percent decrease from 2007
results signaling that the residential housing slump in the county will continue for the foreseeable future.



2007 Building Permits

The total number of Oldham County new housing units building permits issued in 2007 totaled 339, representing a 29.5% decline from 2006. The total also reflects a 59%
decline from 2003, which registered the highest number of building permits in the county since 2000. The chart below reflects trends in Oldham County new
housing unit building permits from 2000 to 2007.

Since 1990, the percentage increase of the Oldham County population has remained within a relatively narrow range while building permit percentage
changes and numeric values have varied greatly.     The figure below compares the percentage changes in population and building permits from 1991-2007.

Speculative building that far outpaced Oldham County's impressive population increases, coupled with county growth policies and Fiscal Court decisions that are favorable
to the development community contributed to both the building boom and decline. More importantly for Oldham County taxpayers, the unchecked growth has contributed to
a county government budget "crisis" and over $90 million in construction projects for Oldham County schools that have resulted in property tax increases for Oldham County
citizens. Unlike fast growing counties in other states, Fiscal Court and School Board policies in effect subsidize the developers at the expenses of the taxpayers (individuals and
businesses) by spreading the costs of growth to all taxpayers rather than targeting growth to pay for growth. Other states and counties around the country have used impact fees
and proffers to address the costs of growth. Oldham County citizens must demand that its elected officials (Fiscal Court and School Board) reexamine its revenue policies
relative to paying for growth and adopt rationale strategies that accommodate growth while targeting the costs of growth to those who generate it.

Two recent articles address the decrease in home building in Oldham County and the Louisville Metro area:

Business First, June 27, 2008: Home Building Market in Metro Area has Dried Up, by Sarah Jeffords Pister

Oldham Era, July 2, 2008: Home Values Level Off, by John Foster

Land Stewardship and Conservation Task Force

Legislation Approved to Re-Authorize the Task Force for 2008, Expand Scope:
Governor Beshear Signs Resolution on April 24

Oldham Ahead President Doug Wampler Named to Task Force on August 22
Download the Report Issued January 2008

Read a Courier-Journal Article from August 8 on the Task Force's delayed start

The Kentucky Legislature in 2006 authorized the formation of a Land Stewardship and Conservation Task Force to develop recommendations for a comprehensive conservation program for Kentucky.

Representatives David Osborne (Oldham County) and Robin Webb introduced House Concurrent Resolution 93 to re-authorize the Task Force and expand its scope and impact. The resolution states that the task force shall serve for a period of two years and meet no fewer than six times or until its tasks have been completed.

More importantly, the resolution states that the task force shall produce a legislative proposal for the creation of a Land Stewardship Coordinating Committee to be focal point for all land and property rights acquisitions in the Commonwealth n regard to conservation, recreation and preservation properties, with the proposal to be ready for consideration by the 2009 General Assembly.

Lastly, the task force shall produce legislative proposals relating to the funding, assessment, prioritizing and acquisition of conservation, recreation and preservation properties in the Commonwealth. These proposals shall be ready for consideration by the 2010 General Assembly.

The resolution passed both houses during the 2008 session and was signed by Governor Beshear on April 24. State Senator Ernie Harris voted for the resolution.

Oldham Ahead has been involved with the Task Force in recommending the Task Force consider adopting a highly successful Virginia state tax credit program to address Kentucky's generally dismal performance in land conservation compared to its neighboring states.   At the task force's request, last June Oldham Ahead provided an overview of Virginia's program and suggested proposed legislation to provide incentives for land owners placing land in conservation easements. Doug Wampler was named to the Task Force by Governor Beshear on August 22, 2008. Oldham County Judge-Executive Duane Murner has been a Task Force member since the Task Force's inception in 2007, representing the Kentucky Association of Counties.

Agricultural Land Values Continue to Increase

Kentucky Agricultural Land Increased 5.3% from 2007, Averages $3,000 per Acre Statewide

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service has released its 2008 Land Values and Cash Rents Summary (August 2008). Farm real estate values, a measurement of the value of all land and buildings on farms, averaged $2,350 per acre on January 1, 2008, up 8.8 percent from 2007. The $2,350 per acre is a record high and $190 more than a year earlier. Both cropland and pasture values for 2008 are record highs. Cropland values rose by 10 percent to $2,970 per acre, up from the previous high of $2,690 in 2007. Pasture value rose by 6 percent to $1,230 per acre.

While commercial and residential development has slowed in many regions, farm real estate values continue to increase. Strong commodity prices and farm programs, outside investments, favorable interest rates, and tax incentives continue to be the factors that drive farm real estate values to record levels. Livestock prices, recreational use, and urban development remain the predominant influences that increase pasture land values.

Regional increases in the average value of farm real estate ranged from 1.6 percent in the Northeast region to 15.5 percent in the Northern Plains region. The highest farm real estate values remained in the Northeast region, where development pressure continued to push the average value to $5,080 per acre. The Northern Plains region had the lowest farm real estate value, at $1110 per acre, up 15.5 percent from the previous year.

In the Corn Belt region cropland values rose 14.8 percent, to $4,260 per acre. The Southern Plains region increased 12 percent from the previous year, to $1,490 per acre. The Northern Plains region also had the highest average percentage increase in pasture value, 19.7 percent above 2007. In the Southern Plains and Mountain regions, which account for more than half of the pasture in the U.S., pasture values per acre increased 17.1 percent and 6.4 percent, respectively.

While Kentucky agricultural land averages $3,000 per acre, Oldham County agricultural land values greatly exceed the average due to the county's location, growth rates, and relatively small size (189 square miles).

Download the Summary

Wendell Moore Park Trails are Coming!

Groundbreaking Conducted July 20; Construction Underway

Oldham County Judge-Executive Duane Murner and Greenways for Oldham County President Dr. Ashli Collins Break Ground for New Trail System

Greenways for Oldham County and the Oldham County Parks and Recreation Department have commenced construction for a new trail system within the county's Wendell Moore Park in Buckner. Oldham Ahead supports this major milestone in improving recreational opportunities in the county and Executive Director Doug Wampler is providing planning support for the effort.

The Oldham County Roads Department commence construction on July 22 and has nearly completed the trail dig-out and the laying of the trail surface. When construction is completed later this summer, nearly 2 miles of crushed stone trails will be in place in the scenic Wendell Moore Park to provide safe walking, jogging and cycling opportunities for Oldham County citizens.

This will represent phase one of the Wendell Moore Park recreational trails project. Phase two will include a connection to the northern "Senior Center Loop" and include the rehabilitation of a dilapidated existing trail in that section of the park. Overall, Greenways for Oldham County and county government are planning for 3.35 miles of trails in the park, which will eventually link to the Commerce Parkway segment of the Oldham County interurban trail system.

The Southern Loop section of the trails is truly one of Oldham County's unknown jewels with respect to its overall scenic beauty, mature trees, and views of Reformatory Lake. The pictures below reflect the views those utilizing the trails later this summer will experience.

For additional information, visit the Greenways for Oldham County website.

April 2008

Oldham County Bike, Pedestrian, and Greenway Trails and Parks Update

Planning Commission Recommends Greenways Master Plan Approval by 13-0 Vote

Presented to Oldham County Fiscal Court April 15

Interurban Greenway.jpg

The Oldham County Planning and Zoning Commission considered and approved the Oldham County Bike, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan on Tuesday, March 25, 2008. The commission approved the plan in an unanimous 13-0 vote. The Oldham County Planning and Zoning office, with the plan's consultant, Pat Hoagland of Brandstetter Carroll Inc presented the plan to the Oldham County Fiscal Court on April 15. The court received the presentation and plan without comment.

While the planning commission generally praised the overall plan and the planning aspects of the Master Plan, Fiscal Court's noticeable lack of interest begs the question of the Court's commitment to quality of life enhancements for the county. Secondly, it begs the question as to the viability of the Vision Council recommendations and the county's commitment to achieving the stated vision of being the best rural/suburban county in Kentucky.

Download the Plan

Related Articles

Oldham Era Article by John Foster, March 27, 2008

Courier-Journal Article by Andrea Uhde, April 2, 2008

Wendell Moore Park Grant Request, RoundAbout, Helen McKinney, April 2008

Morgan Park Upgrades, RoundAbout, Helen McKinney, April 2008

Kentucky Legislature Passes Recreational Trails Legislation

Governor Steve Beshear signed into Law Senate Bill 196 on April 11. The legislation establishes the Kentucky Recreational Trails Authority attached to the Office of the Secretary, Commerce Cabinet, for the purpose of planning and implementing programs to expand tourism opportunities for off-road activities that are pertinent to nonmotorized and motorized vehicle use, including but not limited to pedestrians, bicycles, mountain bicycles, horses, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and off-highway vehicles (OHVs), on designated lands in Kentucky. The legislation addresses contractual agreements for public use of private land, its operations, maintenance, and the protection of landowners' rights and interests.

The Kentucky Recreational Trails Authority is charged with responsibility for developing and implementing a strategy to increase responsible and legal recreational activity by all types of recreational users, including all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and off-highway vehicles (OHV) on private land. The authority shall include an informational campaign directed toward in-state and out-of-state recreational users that addresses the implications of trespass, vandalism, and littering.

Read the text of Senate Bill 196

OCEDA Releases Oldham Reserve Economic Impact Study: Patience is Key to Success
Oldham County is developing a large parcel of land along Interstate 71 near the La Grange interchange. The Oldham County Economic Development Authority, Inc. released an economic impact study written by Paul Coomes Ph.D, a well-regarded consulting economist from the University of Louisville on March 27. Titled "The Potential Economic Impacts of the Oldham Reserve Office Campus Development", Dr. Coomes provided estimates of the potential economic and fiscal impacts associated with the development. In his report, Dr. Coomes examined several scenarios with respect to the mix of residential, commercial, and office development within Oldham Reserve and analyzed potential economic and tax receipt and expenditure impacts.
Dr. Coomes' findings reflect the likely impacts of the development of Oldham Reserve per its master plan falls roughly into five categories:

Significant in the report is the following regarding the property tax impacts of office, retail and residential dwelling:

Typically, there are more property tax revenues generated from office and retail activity than from residential use. Offices and retail operations tend to locate in accessible high traffic areas, for the convenience of workers, customers, and vendors. They bid up the value of land near interstate highways, on major thoroughfares, and in downtowns. Offices are typically multi-story, full of equipment, and generally more expensive per square foot to build than a home. And the value of retail space gets bid up as demand develops. By contrast, homes tend to be built farther away from major transportation nodes and thus on less expensive land. Moreover, homes generate more demand for schools, police, fire, libraries and other public services than does the activity in most commercial buildings.

We can make a rough estimate of the (local) public costs per home by organizing recent budget figures from the City of LaGrange, the Oldham County Fiscal Court, and Oldham County Public Schools. I have pulled out expense items that are most linked to households, aggregated them, and divided by the number of households. This yields an average local government cost of around $3,000 per household. This estimate is crude, because it implicitly assumes that all the police, fire, and sanitation budgets are spent on households - ignoring businesses. However, most of the county businesses are there because of homes, so there is some indirect justification for this. Finally, even if the average really is about $3,000 per household, it is a stretch to say that the next 100 households will cost local government 100 x $3,000. There are no doubt economies of scale to many of the services, which would tend to lower the marginal cost of growth. On the other hand, I am not accounting for the capital costs of a new school, which would be needed once the number of new residences passed a threshold where existing school capacity is reached.

Given these caveats, the crude estimate of local public costs per household can be a guide in making decisions about the mixture of real estate development in the County. For Oldham Reserve, the difference between a focused office park with limited residential development and a more laissez faire development with conventional subdivisions is between 1,700 and 2,300 households. Using our rule of thumb, this implies additional local public costs of between $8 and $10 million annually. This is also approximately the amount of new local tax revenues that the households would generate.

Oldham Ahead has supported OCEDA's efforts to diversify the county's residential heavy tax base since OCEDA's inception. Dr. Coomes' findings validates the premise in the Cost of Community Services Study Oldham Ahead commissioned in 2003. We also believe that Dr. Coomes' study suggests that the "break-even" point for residential houses exceeds an assessed value of $300,000 with respect to generating property taxes to cover local public services.

Read the Report by Paul Coomes, Ph.D.
Read Paul Coomes Summary published April 2, 2008 in the Oldham Era
Read the Courier-Journal Story from March 26 by Andrea Udhe

Scott County Passes Purchase of Development Rights Ordinance, Provides $1 million in Funding

Scott County became the second county in Kentucky to adopt a Purchase of Development Rights program with $1 million allocated to seed the program in the proposed FY 2009 Budget. John Lacy, chair of the local Farm Bureau and Soil and Water Conservation District, noted several keys to getting the PDR program adopted: “PDR was a top priority of our county Comprehensive Plan update; we reconvened the rural committee as soon as the plan was completed to develop a strategy to get this recommendation implemented."

The Scott Co. Fiscal Court approved the PDR Ordinance on April 11 to preserve farmland. All fiscal court members voted "YES". In addition, Judge-Executive Lusby stated that, $1 Million has been allocated to seed the program in the proposed FY 2009 Budget, which begins July 1, 2008.

Oldham Ahead congratulates Scott County and urges county government to follow Scott County's example.

Scott County PDR Ordinance
PDR Brochure
Scott County Farmland Posters
Scott County PDR Ordinance Presentation

The Cost of Growth: Oldham County Schools District Facilities Plan

$109 million in Capital Expenditure Needs

Read the Plan

Capital Construction (new construction) within the 2007-09 Biennium: $22.3 million
Capital Construction Priorities after the 2009 Biennium: $30.8 million +
Management Support Areas Capital Construction Priorities (Regardless of Schedule): $6.1 million

Total District Unmet Needs: $59,066,847

Discretionary Construction Projects Proposed: $27.6 million

December 4, 2007

Oldham Equine Council Releases First County-Wide Equine Study

CRESTWOOD, KY (December 4, 2007) The Oldham County, Kentucky equine industry is a major contributor to Oldham County’s economy, according to a equine survey commissioned by the Oldham County Equine Council and Oldham Ahead.

Ken Heppermann of Equine Business Resources LLC conducted the first Oldham County-wide survey and one of the few county-wide equine economic impact studies in Kentucky and in the United States.

The breeding, raising, training, showing, racing, riding, and care of thousands of equine each year in Oldham County collectively make a significant contribution to the Oldham County economy. The equine industry is a thriving part of the Oldham County economic landscape and has the potential to grow even larger according to the study.

The equine industry is a leading component of the Oldham County agricultural sector. The study reflects that as of December 31, 2006, there were approximately 377 equine operations housing 3,186 equine, situated on more than 10,000 acres of the county. These operations generate an estimated 388 jobs and have an economic impact of more than $48.9 million.

The equine operations in the county represent a major land use in the county, providing necessary acreage for the equine industry while providing intangible benefits to residents and visitors. Tertiary benefits of horse property include the provision of open spaces and scenic vistas in one of the fastest growing counties in Kentucky. The 13,929 acres associated with equine operations represent 22 percent of the total of 62,500 acres of agricultural land in the county recorded during the 2002 Census of Agriculture.

The study affirms that Oldham County is a leading equine county in Kentucky and the nation. The 2002 Census of Agriculture reflected the county’s 2002 equine inventory of 2,959 placed Oldham County eighth in Kentucky and in the top seven percent of counties nationwide. Based on this year’s survey, the horse inventory continues to grow in the county.

Mary Lowry, president of the Oldham County Equine Council believes the results of the study will be useful to local and state elected leaders in making land-use decisions and developing equine related legislation. The results should also be useful for regional and state equine organizations in their efforts to quantify the economic impacts Kentucky’s signature industry.

The breadth and depth of Oldham County’s equine industry suggest that there is significant untapped potential for equine related tourism in the county and that efforts to establish a regional horse park should be pursued.

The Oldham County Equine Council in coordination with Oldham Ahead commissioned the study.

Download the report to see the full impact of Oldham County's equine industry on the county's economy.

Download the highlights from the report (a PowerPoint presentation)

Download the press release

Download the Business First Article from December 7

Download the Courier-Journal Article from December 19

Download the Oldham Era Article from December 27

Download the January 2008 RoundAbout Article

January 23, 2008

Oldham Ahead Board Member Suzanne Schimpeler Leading Efforts to Celebrate "Little Colonel" in Pewee Valley

The Pewee Valley Historical Society is planning a celebration on February 9 to feature Pewee Valley's "Little Colonel" legacy. Tickets and reservations are available at the Oldham County Historical Society, (502) 222-0826 for a day of celebration. Included in the ticket price of $25 is a formal luncheon prepared by the Pewee Valley Presbyterian Church Women's Guild, a 30-minute play at The Little Colonel Playhouse, tours of two historic homes, a bus tour and an exhibit at the Presbyterian Church.

Concurrently, the Oldham County Historical Society is featuring "The Little Colonel: A Romantic Vision of Life Long Ago in Oldham County". The exhibit runs through February 16 and features "Little Colonel" collectibles and a recreation of Annie Johnston's writing room.

Read the Courier-Journal's Andrea Uhde' article in the January 23 edition of the CJ's Oldham Neighborhoods.

December 3, 2007

Brownsboro Master Plan Open House

The Oldham County Planning and Zoning Department hosted a Brownsboro Area Master Plan Open House on Monday, December 3, 2007 at the John Black Community Center in Buckner.

The Planning and Zoning staff, along with Brandstetter Carroll Inc--the consultants for the development of the Oldham County Bike, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan--provided a series of maps and information boards to update the public on the area plan's progress. The Brownsboro Area Maste Plan Task Force, a group of volunteer citizens, officials, developers, and planning commissioners is nearing the end of the planning process and is anticipated to produce its report in early 2008.

Download the latest Brownsboro Area Master Plan Newsletter (December 2007)

A good crowd consisting of citizens, planning officials, magistrates, and local developers attended the open house on December 3

Brandstetter Carroll Inc consultant Patrick Hoaland explains possible trails routes through the Brownsboro area

L to R: Brownsboro area resident and Planning Commissioner Warner Brown, Magistrate Rick Rash, and Betsy Lavin

Darby Creek Watershed Study Underway: Community Roundtable Scheduled for February 26, John Black Community Center in Buckner from 5:30 - 7:30

Download the Roundtable Poster Announcement with details and registration information
Download the Roundtable Brochure

Oldham County Engineer Beth Stuber, in collaboration with the Kentucky Waterways Alliance, is leading a Darby Creek Watershed Management Study that kicked-off with a meeting of interested citizens on October 25, 2007 at the John Black Community Center in Buckner. The project is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under § 319(h) of the Clean Water Act through the Kentucky Division of Water to the Kentucky Waterways Alliance (Grant # C9994861-04).

The study area is generally located in the Brownsboro area, bounded by Buckner to the east; Hwy 320 and Hwy 1694 North to the West; Harrods Creek to the North; and Oldham LaGrange Road to the south.

The planning team developed the following mission statement during its January 9, 2008 meeting:

"The Darby Creek Watershed Planning Team will work with the community to create a plan that raises awareness of watershed issues, creates healthy streams, and protects the watershed for the future."

A watershed-based plan is a strategy that provides assessment and management information for a geographically defined watershed, including the analyses, actions, participants, and resources related to developing and implementing the plan.

The Team will meet on the second Wednesday of every other month from 10:00 to noon for the next one to two years. Meetings are generally held at the John Black Community Center in Buckner.The team will review technical information, strategize, and review drafts of the plan. To join the team, contact Beth Stuber at bstuber@oldhamcounty.net or Katie Holmes, Watershed Program Director, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, 502-589-8008, katie@KWAlliance.org.

Oldham County Airport Feasibility Study

The Oldham County Airport Feasibility Study is creating significant interest in the County as the process has moved to the down-selection of three alternative sites. Oldham Ahead is watching this process closely, as is the county at large. Below are links to relevant studies that will help us all ascertain the viability and future sustainment costs of the proposal. The Oldham County Fiscal Court will render a final decision of whether to proceed with the project upon the conclusion of the Feasibility Study being conducted by a consulting firm. Currently there are more questions than answers relative to the potential airport in the county.

Airport Study Necessary, Oldham Era Editorial, 20 Feb 08

Airport Board Regroups, Eliminates Sites, to Consider Impacts, Oldham Era, 20 Feb 08

Oldham County Airport Report, December 6, 2006

Oldham County Airport Presentation, April 2007

Oldham County Airport Board Update, November 2007

Potential Airport Sites, November 2007

Airport Analysis by Jim Pearson, December 2007

2005 Shelby County Airport Feasibility Presentation

2005 Shelby County Airport Feasibility Report

For additional information, visit the Oldham County Chamber of Commerce Web and the No Oldham Airport Web.

Bike, Pedestrian, and Greenways Summit Held September 26

Significant Interest Displayed from Local & Regional Governments, Non-Profit Organizations, Developer/Real Estate Community, and Engineering Firms

Greenways for Oldham County, in partnership with Oldham County Government hosted a county-wide Bike, Pedestrian, and Greenways summit on Wednesday, September 26 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m at the Fiscal Court room in LaGrange. The summit, open to all individuals and groups with an interest in bicycling, walking, hiking, equestrian trails, and greenways in Oldham County was well attended and proclaimed very successful by Oldham County Judge-Executive Duane Murner in his closing remarks. Oldham Ahead assisted in the organization and execution of the summit.

The summit was planned in conjunction with the recently started Bike, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan funded by a grant from KIPDA. Oldham County Judge-Executive Duane Murner and Greenways for Oldham County Vice President Dr. Ashli Collins co-hosted the event, supported by the Oldham County Planning and Zoning office.

The summit allowed the consultant for the master plan, Brandstetter Carroll Inc. to meet key persons involved in county trails efforts, understand current connections, and hear individuals and groups detail future possible connections needed in the county.

State and county officials; representatives from Metro Louisville Parks; representatives from multiple Oldham County non-profit organizations, the development and realtor community and others provided presentation on their respective group's interest and potential contributions to the county's trails and greenways program.

In all, 27 separate individuals and organizations provided presentations for the summit. A breakout of the presenters include:

        - Six local/regional governmental entities including representatives Oldham County Government, Metro Government Parks and The Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA).

        - Twelve Oldham County and Jefferson County non-profit organizations with an interest in bike, pedestrian and equine trails and greenways.

        - One quasi-public organization, the Oldham County Economic Development Agency.

        - Three private developers/real estate agents.

        - Four engineering/consulting firms including Brandstetter Carroll Inc who is developing the master plan for Oldham County.

Download presentations from the summit

Download the summit agenda

Download the Louisville Courier-Journal Article

Download the Oldham Era Article

January 2, 2008

Fiscal Court Committee Provides Vision Report to Oldham County Fiscal Court

The Fiscal Court committee reviewing the Oldham County Vision Council's recommendations for a County Vision provided its report to Fiscal Court on January 2, 2008. The report in effect generally endorsed the Council's recommendations; however provide few specifics and recommended milestones for implementation. Further, it failed to address the Fiscal Court "financial crisis" in a meaningful manner.

Kevin Eldridge, Chairman of the Oldham County Vision Council, provided the council's report to Oldham County Fiscal Court on Tuesday, July 17 2007. Appointed by Judge-Executive Duane Murner, the 20 person council was tasked to meet, gather information, solicit input from fellow citizens, and create a paper describing the vision of what Oldham County should be in four years. Mr. Eldridge, the former Chair of the Oldham County Planning and Zoning Commission provided the Court an overview presentation of the council's mission, its members, and findings. Click here for additional information and to download the report.

Virtual Library

We are compiling a "virtual library" of studies, reports, fact sheets, maps and other reference data on our web site. We will attempt to consolidate as many references as possible that are used throughout this site in one easy-to-access location. Click on the Library Tab to your left to explore the current inventory. We will expand the offerings over time and urge you to provide additional reference materials to the collection.

Visit our Library

Oldham County Sewer District Facilities Plan Submitted to Frankfort

The Oldham County Sewer District recently completed its 20-year Facilities Plan and has submitted it to the Kentucky Division of Water for review and approval. We urge you to read the plan as it has significant growth and environmental implications for the county. It has an excellent discussion on the impact of septic tanks on the environment: the impact of aging waste water treatment package plants on our waterways, and includes a number of excellent maps for future reference.

Oldham County Airport Study

As the county and newly formed airport board studies the feasibility of an airport for Oldham County, the board and county citizens should review why Shelby County did not proceed with its proposed airport in 2005 when considering all alternatives. We believe the two counties are similar with respect to economic conditions, geographic distance from Bowman Field, and other pertinent factors. The report concluded that the Shelby County proposed airport would not be eligible for grants from the FAA; that even if capital costs of the new airport were paid by the FAA, there still would be substantial costs each year that would fall on the taxpayers of Shelby County, and that while federal and state funds make the proposal for a new airport look attractive, there will be continued costs to the citizens of Shelby County each year to operate and maintain the airport.

View and download the Shelby County consultant's report and presentation.

43 Oldham County Historic Places Listed in the National Registry

The National Registry currently lists 43 Oldham County historic places in its listing as of 31 July 2007. The registry is maintained by the Department of Interior can can be accessed at www.cr.nps.gov/nr. Click here to review the historic places and districts of Oldham County, Kentucky.

Oldham County Transportation Plans

We have posted county, regional, and state transportation plans in our "virtual library". Click the Library Tab on your left to review funded projects on the State's Six Year Plan, and out-year proposed projects and concepts.

We urge you to review these plans and provide your comments to your elected officials and responsible agencies.

Updated Information on Agricultural District Formation Process

Kentucky's General Assembly passed the Agricultural District Law in 1982. This law permits a landowner or a group of landowners, owning at least 250 contiguous acres in active agricultural production, to petition their local conservation district to form an agricultural district. The local conservation district board of supervisors reviews the petition, makes their recommendation, and then forwards all information to the Kentucky Soil and Water Conservation Commission for approval to participate in Kentucky's Agricultural District Program.

The purpose of this program is to provide a means by which agricultural land may be protected and enhanced as a viable segment of the state's economy and as an important natural resource, and to minimize the conversion of Kentucky's best agricultural land to non-farm use.

Currently, there are over 3,000 acres of Oldham County farmland being reviewed for inclusion in multiple agricultural districts in the county.

Click here to learn more about how to create an Agricultural District in Oldham County and to download the petition forms to get started.

Coomes Study: Must Reading for Oldham County Citizens and Officials

The formal title of the Coomes Study is “Kentucky’s Economic Competitiveness—A Call for Modernization of the State’s Fiscal Policies” by Paul Coomes, Ph.D, and Barry Kornstein, University of Louisville.

We recommend everyone interested in Oldham County’s quality of life and economic competitiveness read the report which documents in great detail the massive geographic redistribution of public resources away from the cities and their suburban counties where tax dollars are collected towards sparsely populated areas where schools, roads, recreation and other services are heavily subsidized by the state.

For instance, Oldham County received $38 in transportation revenue sharing funds per capita in FY 2003 (109^th of 120 counties), compared to $357 per capita of Robertson County. The report highlights the constraints local officials have in planning for the consequences of growth on infrastructure and schools and how Kentucky’s present tax laws and spending formulas hamper economic development in the State Click here to view and download the study. You can also contact us at OldhamAhead@aol.com and we will email you the study.

Oldham Ahead Commissions a Cost of Community Services Study for Oldham County

At the request of Oldham Ahead, Inc., American Farmland Trust completed a Cost of Community Services (COCS) study to develop a current understanding of the net fiscal impact of existing land uses in Oldham County , Kentucky . The study analyzed revenues and expenditures on a land use basis for fiscal year 2003 (July 2002 to June 2003). It examined revenues by land use and the financial demands of public services (e.g. public safety, government administration, schools, courts, etc.) and shows the cost of providing these services to residential, commercial, and farmland properties.

The COCS study found that in Oldham County:

92 percent of revenue in fiscal year 2003 was generated by residential land uses, 7 percent was generated by commercial land uses and 1 percent by farmland;

97 percent of county expenditures went to provide services for residential land use compared with 2 percent for commercial uses and .5 percent for farmland.

In other words, for each $1 of revenue received from residential properties in Oldham County in fiscal year 2003, $1.05 was spent providing services to those lands. For each $1 from commercial land uses, 29 cents was spent providing services, and for each $1 received from farmland, 44 cents was spent providing services. The study concludes while residential development contributes the largest amount of revenue, its net fiscal impact is negative because the total expenditures for that land use exceed the revenues. Commercial development’s net revenues offset the shortfall while farmland’s net revenues contribute the balance.

Click here to review the Executive Summary of the study. Click here to view and download the full report. We will gladly email you an electronic copy in .pdf format. Please contact us by email at OldhamAhead@aol.com.

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Six Acres Per Day

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture 2002 Census of Agriculture, Oldham County land in farms decreased 11,704 acres (16 percent) between 1997 and 2002. That equates to 2,340.8 acres a year and 6.413 acres a day.

The American Farmland Trust has unveiled the Kentucky Landowners' Guide to Conservation and Profitability

The guide, published by American Farmland Trust in November 2004 with the assistance of local partners and supporters to include Oldham Ahead Board Member Ned Bonnie and several Oldham Ahead supporters, provides an overview of the alternatives available to landowners who want to pursue conservation options, financial incentives, and technical assistance to protect their land and improve its productivity.

For further information, contact Gerry Cohn at gcohn@farmland.org or 336-221-0707.

Click here to view and download the report in .pdf format.

Additionally, we will gladly email you a copy of the report if you contact us at OldhamAhead@aol.com.

Kentucky Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements Accepts Conservation Easement Donations

The Kentucky General Assembly in 1994 established the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement Corporation and authorized the state to purchase agricultural conservation easements in order to ensure that lands currently in agricultural use will continue to remain available for agriculture and not be converted to other uses.

Although PACE was established to purchase conservation easements, landowners also are encouraged to donate easements in order to dedicate their land to agricultural uses and to take advantage of federal and state tax benefits.

Click here to view the details on the PACE program website.

Click here to access a February 2007 update on the PACE program or visit our web pages to gain an understanding of the PACE program.

Oldham County Bike and Pedestrian Trails

Phase 1 includes Three Projects

Oldham County is moving ahead with its long-range plans to provide improved bike and pedestrian access for its residents. Phase 1 of Oldham County Bike and Pedestrian Trails program involves three projects. Each will provide connectivity within and around LaGrange by providing access through shared use trails and sidewalk improvements.

The projects include:

Kentucky Avenue Sidewalk Improvements

Commerce Parkway Shared Use Trail

Downtown Main Street Sidewalk Improvements

Greenways for Oldham County, Inc. has details of this plan and other initiatives on its new website, www.oldhamgreenways.org