INDEPENDENCE — To encourage industrial development in one of Kenton County's largest remaining tracts, officials will likely seek a zone change for 1,778 acres in the Banklick Creek watershed.

        Rezoning the area from agricultural use to an “industrial land bank” zone would attract large-scale manufacturing and distribution facilities, Northern Kentucky planning and economic development officials told Kenton Fiscal Court on Tuesday.

        “The industrial development process happens so fast that to be competitive, you must have the zoning and utilities in place,” said Danny Fore, president of the Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Tri-Ed).

        With the proposed change, the site would be a natural extension of 1,200 acres in Boone County just to the west, which are zoned for light industrial use. The Boone County property is home to the Richwood, Enterprise 5 and Walton industrial parks.

        The Kenton County area is bounded by Banklick and Walton Nicholson Roads to the east and south, and its northern border is just south of Maher Road.

        If Kenton County decides to pursue the zone change, Boone County will consider adding an industrial land bank zone to its zoning code, and rezoning its adjacent acreage to industrial land bank, said Kevin Costello, executive director of the Boone County Planning Commission.

        Supporters described the proposed zone change as one that would bridge the existing light and heavy industrial zones in the two counties. It would allow some manufacturing, but would disallow some more objectionable uses, such as foundries or slaughterhouses.

        “It's an essential planning move to make if Kenton County wants to have some viable industrial property for the future,” said Dan Tobertge, senior vice president of Tri-Ed.

        Advantages of the site include its proximity to the interstate, the fact it's bounded by two railroads and has adequate utilities and terrain that's acceptable for industrial development, Mr. Tobertge said.

        In 1994, a consultant studying the best locations for a large-scale industrial park in Northern Kentucky recommended the area over 13 other sites in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties, Mr. Tobertge said.

        Kenton Fiscal Court will discuss and possibly vote to apply for the zone change on Feb. 20. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. at the county courthouse in Independence.

        Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission staff will then review the request and offer its recommendations, before a hearing is held by county planners. Final approval could come by April, said Marshall Slagle, assistant director of the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission.

        The area now has farms in its central portion and scattered residential development along Grayson Road in the northern end, Mr. Slagle said.

        “If we don't do something now, we're going to be sorry in the future,” said Kenton Judge-executive Dick Murgatroyd, who added that available land is quickly disappearing. By having two counties back the effort, they're also more likely to receive state funding for needed infrastructure improvements, he said.

        Tri-Ed has pledged to support Boone and Kenton County officials in their efforts to obtain money for improvements, including an improved intersection at Richwood, and a possible $5 million to $7 million bridge spanning the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks and linking the site to U.S. 25.

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