By Patrick Crowley
Enquirer staff writer

COLD SPRING - Kentucky's fastest-growing city may be on the verge of growing some more.

City planners this week will consider three major projects that could bring more businesses and residents to this Campbell County city that, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau figures, grew faster than any other city in Kentucky last year.

On Wednesday, Cold Spring Planning and Zoning will consider:

• A Staples office supply store at the Cold Spring Crossing shopping center at the intersection of U.S. 27 and the AA Highway.

• Granite Springs, a residential project of 500 single-family homes and condominiums proposed along Bunning Lane by Fischer Homes of Crestview Hills.

• A $4 million, 10-acre outlet mall with as many as 110 stores being developed by former Campbell County Judge-executive Lloyd Rogers. Rogers owns 10 acres along the AA Highway adjacent to the Cold Spring Crossing center.

Cold Spring's population grew 6 percent in a single year, from 16,316 in 2002 to 17,070 in 2003, according to Census figures.

Several other retailers, restaurants and other businesses have recently opened in the city, including O'Charley's, Longhorn Steakhouse, White Castle, Ruby Tuesday's, Kohl'sand Kroger. All are located at the AA Highway/US 27 intersection, which has developed into a major Campbell County crossroads.

A Home Depot is being built and a hotel and Olive Garden restaurant are interested in opening in the city, said Cold Spring clerk Carol Huber.

"My husband and I laugh because we used to have to leave the city to eat out or do most of our shopping," said Huber, who has worked at City Hall for more than 20 years. "Now, it seems like we never leave - we have so much here."

Steve Taylor, who lives in nearby Fort Thomas, said he and his wife, Kim, often shop and dine in the city with their son, Ben.

"There is so much going on out there now with the new stores and restaurants," Taylor said. "It seems like we're out there all the time because it's just a few minutes from the house and a lot more convenient than going to Florence or over to Ohio."

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E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com