Think before you zone

 The Shepherdsville City Council will be considering rezoning the fields at the junction of Highways 245 and 61 such that a huge warehouse can be built.

This is a mostly residential area. Is this what you want? Please write the Shepherdsville City Council that your voice may be heard.

Here is my letter (sent to each councilmember individually):

I am writing to ask you to consider these points when making a decision about zoning the property at 245 and 61 heavy industrial and to allow a 2million square foot warehouse.

Firstly, I approach you as a homeowner. I live near this site, it is a residential area. I moved from far away to this place because of its rural character. I find this is true for many of my neighbors. The intersection of 245 and 61 is the last big intersection we see before we arrive home. The development you are considering will, quite frankly, ruin our homecoming.

I ask also that you take a long view to developing our county. Warehouses have been a successful business for Bullitt County, providing many jobs. But the long term strength and viability of a community lies in diversification. The 245 corridor in Bullitt County is naturally shaping up to be a possible big tourist attraction. Already people come from far away to visit Bernheim Forest. The new Jim Beam Visitors Center is being started, there are plans for a College. This is not the place to plop another warehouse.

There is money to be made, landowners chomping at the bit to sell to the highest bidder, sewer capacity to fill, water and electric lines to tap into, and yet I ask you to wait. Wait for something better: wait for something like Microsoft, or a lovely hotel, or a “Huber’s Orchard” type attraction, or an art community like Glendale. Wait for something that fits the tourist attraction aspect of our beautiful county, that we may continue to grow and prosper if big boxes somehow aren’t as wonderful in the future.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Christine Carnes