An ordinance adopting an amended private development policy was read Tuesday night at an Owensboro city commission meeting. City officials said the ordinance will make Owensboro more business friendly.
The City engineer previously created a private development policy that’s been utilized for years, establishing requirements for development plan review, permits, bonds, sidewalks, paving, sewer systems, drainage and other infrastructure for current and new residential developments. The City now desires to amend that private development policy so that the office of the City engineer can oversee all development proposals.
“When we talk about making Owensboro more business-friendly, you have to consider all the individuals involved, including those in the homeowner’s association who’ve worked to develop Owensboro and help Owensboro grow,” said Assistant City Manager Lelan Hancock. “Our success is tied to their success.”
Several changes were made to the private development policy, Hancock said. Instead of referring to Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission (OMPC) on development proposals, the City will now refer to the City engineer’s office. Clarification has been made regarding residential lot developments, such as single-family attached condominiums and townhouses.
“A lot of these verbiage changes were directly reflected from responses from the homeowners,” Hancock said.
Other changes made include a “relaxed” five percent maintenance bond on sidewalks for residential lots.
“We’ve had no issues from any of the developers,” Hancock said. “I’ve got to say, we’ve got an exceptional group here in front of us.”
Manuel Ball, a representative for Jagoe Homes and the Home Builder’s Association of Owensboro, thanked elected officials for the proposed amendments to the policy.
“Who you see here — they’ve done a lot of the single-family residential development throughout the community, and this particular ordinance is going to do a lot to help that,” Ball said. “It actually frees up more credit to actually move forward on projects. It’s a great thing.”
This ordinance will be voted upon after a second reading at the next City commission meeting.
