Development applications in Louisville reached decade high in 2022 with more than 3,100 applications received

Louisville Metro Government’s Office of Planning and Design Services received more 3,100 development applications in 2022, reaching a decade high.

“These numbers show that there is significant interest in investing in Louisville across the board, whether is it a single-family homeowner seeking to add an accessory dwelling unit their property or a company proposing a large development with commercial and residential uses,” said Emily Liu, Director of the Office of Planning and Design Services.

Those numbers do not include applications for short-term rentals or signage. Last year, 904 applications were submitted requesting the approval of new short-term rentals, and 595 applications were submitted related to new or replacement signage.

Also, in 2022, Louisville Metro Government’s boards and commissions, including the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment, approved plans that included adding nearly 5,000 new multi-family units and 1,105 new single-family units to the city’s housing stock, and they approved plans for more than 7.1 million square feet of commercial and industrial development. In May, Planning and Design Services began offering hybrid options for its the boards and commissions, allowing more than 1,000 people to join virtually.

In addition to Planning and Design Services’ work to review development plans and application, the office continued its multiyear equity review of the Land Development Code (LDC), which aims to bring the LDC in line with the city’s comprehensive plan 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 environmental hazards near housing.

In 2022, the LDC was successfully amended, with approval from Metro Council, to permit childcare facilities in all residential zones as long as they obtain a conditional use permit. Other LDC amendments include the passage of regulations related to heavy truck parking and outdoor dining spaces for restaurants. For more information about the LDC review, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/planning-design/land-development-co….

Other noteworthy accomplishments include:

• Liu was the first woman in Kentucky to be named to the prestigious American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) College of Fellows for her outstanding achievements in urban planning.
• The National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded Louisville Metro Government (LMG) a $150,000 grant to restore electrical services in the historic Quinn Chapel AME Church.
• National Alliance of Preservation Commissions recognized LMG’s Landmarks Commission for the survey work conducted on buildings in the Beechmont neighborhood and city of Lynnview.
• The National Parks Service awarded LMG a $30,000 grant to complete a survey and National Register nomination for the James Taylor-Jacob School neighborhood.