Land Development Code Reform
The Land Development Code (LDC) regulates how land throughout Louisville Metro is used and built upon. The LDC Reform is an equity-focused approach to revise the LDC consistent with Plan 2040, allow for increased housing choices and opportunities in new and existing neighborhoods, create procedures and regulations that are easier to use, and increase the quality of life by reducing the concentration of environmental hazards near housing.
Work to reform the LDC began in the summer of 2020 with Louisville Metro Council's passage of Resolution 082, series 2020. The Reform continues to move forward and plans outlining the content under consideration, and strategies for outreach and engaging with the community in 2022-2023 are now available.
LDC Reform Program and Engagement Plan 2022-2023
Please reach out to submit your feedback and ask questions by calling (502) 574-5860 or emailing [email protected].
Media and Industry Coverage
The LDC Reform has been covered by local media and highlighted by national organizations, including the Urban Institute and American Planning Association.
- View Media and Industry Coverage
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- American Planning Association - Zoning Practice: Ending Zoning's Racist legacy
- American Planning Association - 6 Ways to Help Bridge the Racial Wealth Gap
- Courier Journal - Zoning regulations helped segregate Louisville. Here's how the city wants to change them
- Louisville Builder - Recommend and Reform: Following the Land Development Code Reform
- Lincoln Institute of Land Policy - Race and rezoning - Louisville designs a more equitable future by confronting the past
- Planetizen - Story Mapping the Racism in Planning History
- Urban Institute - Louisville Is Using Zoning Reform to Tackle Inequity. Could this Work for Other Cities
- Urban Institute - Policies and programs for inclusive and equitable recovery
Land Development Code Reform Workshop Sessions
Planning & Design Services hosted four workshops in December 2020 focusing on Housing, Environmental Justice, and Processes and Education following feedback from the October 2020 Listening Sessions.
- Workshops
Land Development Code Reform Listening Sessions
Planning & Design Services hosted three listening sessions in October 2020. Watch a replay of all three on Develop Louisville's Facebook page.
- Listening Sessions
Supporting Documents
Land Development Code Diagnosis
Prepared by Opticos Design, a Berkley-based consultant group, this report provides a diagnosis of the current LDC. Opticos Design specializes in creating strategic solutions to address the most challenging housing and community issues of our time, including attainable housing and equitable development practices. Many elements within the LDC have not been revised since the early 1960s and no longer support current city needs. The findings of the evaluation conducted by Opticos Design revealed several components of the LDC that restrict inclusive development styles and limit the types of housing that can be built within Louisville Metro. Some of these discrepancies include parking requirements, minimum lot sizes, floor area ratios, excessive single-family zoning, and deficient density allotments.
Advancing Equity
It is crucial in planning for an equitable future that Louisville Metro attains a greater understanding of its past and grows from both its intentional and unintentional missteps in policy decisions. This report was a collaborative effort of Develop Louisville completed in the spring of 2019. It identifies development policies and practices that exacerbate inequity and place barriers on the attainment of wealth. In addition, it explores topics of exclusionary zoning, parking, economy, accessibility, and contracts in current and historic policy and practice. Plan 2040, a review of planning best practices, and empirical evidence guide recommendations to advance equitable development through land use policy changes.
Questions?
If you have questions or would like to submit additional feedback, please call us at (502) 574-5860 or email us at [email protected].
