WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Residents question changes to development project

Residents question changes to development project

By Lindsay English - bio | email
Posted by Charles Gazaway - email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Just down the road from The Summit Shopping Center on Brownsboro Road sits a beautiful piece of land. It is what will end up on that land is bringing a kind of protest from neighboring communities.

"We're making changes and anytime you have change there is concern," said David Nicklies, president of Nicklies Development.

Starting back in 2006, Nicklies planned to build 170 homes on that property, valued between $350,000 and $450,000. That plan was one surrounding neighborhoods eventually got onboard with. Then the economy took a turn and now Nicklies plans to build mostly condominiums and retirement living on the land. Tuesday night, a large crowd had plenty of questions for Nicklies, like the makeup of the development and just how many units will be built. Those were questions Nicklies could not answer.

"Now since the economy has gone down, they want to increase the number of the units so the density of the subdivision increases and lower the price so they can sell all these units," said Stephen Blackwell, president of the Wyndham Place Homeowner's Association, one of the concerned neighborhoods.

Nicklies says amending the original plan takes time and he wanted residents' input along the way. For those involved, not getting the direct answers they want does not sit well with them.

"They know what they are doing and that's what people are saying. He's telling us, he doesn't know. He knows exactly what they are doing," said Bob Roos, mayor of Ten Broeck.

Concerns over increased traffic and water run-off were also issues raised. Nicklies says studies are still underway so they couldn't answer though questions either.

"I think they are probably going to come up with a very good plan for somewhere in Jefferson County just not on that piece of land," Blackwell said.

Nicklies said with the economy the way it is, he doesn't know when the project could even break ground. Another meeting on the issue is expected in the next month or so. Neighbors say they'll be there every step of the way.

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