Group supports growth fitting Woodford’s plan

We would like to make it clear that neither Woodford Forward nor its directors are plaintiffs in either of the lawsuits regarding the Edgewood property in Versailles.

Woodford Forward did oppose the 336-acre annexation and expansion of the Versailles Urban Service Boundary on Edgewood Farm for development because it goes against the recommended land use as set out by the Comprehensive Plan.

According to the Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Comprehensive Plan, the recommended land use for this property is a Rural District.

The plan says “the use of the lands in this rural district should be primarily reserved for agricultural operations, open space, agricultural tourism activities, and limited low-density residential including in-family conveyances in order to support Woodford County’s agricultural economy, rural landscape, and rural cultural heritage.”

To provide a possible solution for the community, Woodford Forward supported rezoning approximately 70 acres of the Edgewood Farm that is already within the Versailles Urban Service Boundary for professional office uses.

This would allow for a location for a new hospital and other urban uses that are permitted and allowed by the zoning ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan.

It is also important to note that three new manufacturing facilities are moving to Woodford County and another manufacturing facility is expanding, which will create 700 full-time jobs. Consistently, Woodford County has the lowest unemployment in Kentucky, and now has massive new-job creation, all of which has been achieved without a material expansion of either the Versailles or Midway urban service boundaries.

Woodford Forward has supported numerous positive projects throughout our community. These include:

▪  Limited adjustments of the Versailles Urban Service Boundary to accommodate the More Than a Bakery facility.

▪  Rezoning of approximately 183 acres within the Versailles Urban Service Boundary for residential development.

▪  Rezoning and development of 63 acres within the Versailles Urban Service Boundary for 83 single-family homes, 28 townhouses and 144 apartments.

▪  Community Assistance from the National Park Service for the Bluegrass Bike Hike Horseback Water Trails Alliance Phase II.

Woodford Forward is encouraged by the continual increase in the level of citizen engagement in Woodford County land use issues during the last two years. We encourage all citizens to become involved in the planning process, to study our Comprehensive Plan, and to become fully informed on the issues.

Woodford Forward supports the adopted Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Comprehensive Plan as it charts our course for the future. It should be used as our guiding document for land use decisions.

The Comprehensive Plan ensures that Woodford County retains its global brand identity, provides a sense of place for our residents, and ensures Woodford County will continue to be a destination for tourists from around the world.

Billy Van Pelt is the CEO of Woodford Forward.

This story was originally published December 16, 2016 at 3:27 PM with the headline "Group supports growth fitting Woodford’s plan."