Warren County/Bowling Green
Focus 2030 Comprehensive Plan
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Preface
Warren County faces a me of transion, characterized by new challenges and opportunies that raise
community expectaons on key issues. Starng with a series of public forums held in February of 2008,
Warren County, together with its incorporated municipalies and small rural communies, has embarked
on a mission to prepare a new Comprehensive Plan.
Over the past decade, the County as a whole has experienced rapid populaon growth and development
which have led to certain undesirable impacts such as trac congeson and incremental, yet noceable
character changes. While connued growth and change is evident, considerable uncertainty exists about
how the County in conjuncon with its cies and rural communies will choose to progress over the next
20 years.
During the forums cizens expressed widely-shared concerns about the impacts of growth on the
community’s character and quality of life. There is broad cizen consensus that the County, the City of
Bowling Green, and the rest of the local communies should maintain an acve role in managing growth
to protect and enhance the primary assets of Warren County:
small town ambiance
scenic natural environment
educaonal and cultural opportunies
economic strength
funconal infrastructure
producve agricultural base and rural countryside
excellence in governance
By idenfying those assets that most residents value, the Vision Statement will dene our shared
“desnaon”—what we aspire to achieve through the strategies to be framed in the Comprehensive Plan.
The Vision Statement, in conjuncon with the Comprehensive Plan, will be the mechanism by which the
residents of Warren County will retain and enhance the community’s character, dene its identy and
ensure a sustainable future.
The policies, strategies and regulatory measures idened by the Focus 2030 Comprehensive Plan will
become the tools to posively impact the dynamics of change in Warren County. The community’s future
and that of all its cizens will be profoundly inuenced by the degree to which we succeed in this mission.
To more fully appreciate the signicance of this challenge, we start by considering what a comprehensive
plan is and how it will be used to guide the management of change.
2.1 The Vision sTaTemenT
The Vision Statement
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Warren County/Bowling Green
Focus 2030 Comprehensive Plan
Methodology for Community Input
Approximately 200 citizens, as well as Comprehensive Plan Task Force members and ofcials from the City
and County, participated in eight (8) public forums held throughout the County from February 25 through
February 28, 2008 to discuss issues facing the community. The community forums consisted of facilitated, small
group discussions that posed the following four questions:
1. What are the present strengths of Bowling Green and Warren County? What community characteristics do
we cherish and seek to retain?
2. What are the present weaknesses of Bowling Green and Warren County? What deciencies should we seek
to correct?
3. What future opportunities should we pursue to make Bowling Green and Warren County a better
community?
4. What future threats or challenges should we anticipate and prepare for?
Upon tabulating hundreds of citizen responses to these questions, distinct areas of shared community opinion
were identied around several themes that emerged from group discussions regarding each question/topic. The
areas of shared opinion on the issues have been used as the basis for the Vision Statement. [Detailed tabulations
of the community forum results are available for review in Volume 2: Appendix 2.]
Warren County/Bowling Green
Focus 2030 Comprehensive Plan
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The Vision Statement
The Comprehensive Plan for Bowling Green / Warren County will be…
A reecon of values, aspiraons and shared vision
Just as one would not begin a trip without rst idenfying a desnaon, the planning process starts by
dening the community’s desnaon, the kind of place we want Warren County, Bowling Green, and our
small rural communies to be in 20 years, our plan horizon. Cizens have expressed their views about
the community’s present strengths and weaknesses, future opportunies and threats. In listening to
what cizens have said, broad areas of consensus emerged concerning the kind of community we want
to become or to remain. These expressions of community values provide the basis for a shared vision of
Warren County’s future. The Vision Statement arculates expectaons for the future, frames the mandate
for the Comprehensive Plan and outlines the strategic framework necessary to achieve the vision.
A guide for the management of change
For the vision to be fully realized, the Comprehensive Plan should seek to manage the pace and direcon
of growth and change, being acvely applied as a guide for the many decisions that will determine each
increment of growth and change. While local government is taking a leadership role in this eort, the
Comprehensive Plan will call on cizens, instuons and private industry to coordinate eorts with a
shared sense of direcon and a renewed spirit of partnership.
The foundaon for policies, strategies and acons
The Comprehensive Plan examines policies and strategies for land use, including how to best plan land use
while factoring in economic development and protecon of open space and natural resources, as well as
investments in ulies, roadways and other public facilies.
Our 20-year “To Do” list
The extent of the inuence of the Comprehensive Plan on the future of Bowling Green and Warren County
will be a product of the vision that inspires it and the acons taken to realize it. The vision will not be
realized merely because we may agree with the values it expresses; it will not be a self-fullling prophecy,
but rather a realizaon of steady progress in adhering to a well-dened plan of acon comprised of
eecve short and long-term tasks bolstered by a commitment to stay on course.
Warren County/Bowling Green
Focus 2030 Comprehensive Plan
The Vision Statement
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Bowling Green / Warren County 2030 Vision Statement
The Vision Statement for Bowling Green/Warren County expresses what we, the cizens, envision and
desire our community to be like in 2030; it conceptualizes what we hope to accomplish over the next 20
years as we implement a new comprehensive plan, Focus 2030.
In 2030, Warren County will be a growing and diversifying community, one that cherishes and protects its
heritage while embracing the opportunies that well-planned growth and bold economic development
can bring. Bowling Green and Warren County will be recognized throughout Kentucky and the naon as
a “community of choice,” where the drivers of growth and economic development are all related to the
community’s outstanding character and quality of life. We will connue to enjoy our small community
ambiance, along with a variety of aracons and amenies as well as the choice of urban, suburban and
rural lifestyles.
In managing pressures for growth and change, we will limit sprawl by accommodang sustainable,
compact, quality growth, which complements our character, retains our identy and protects our scenic
rural countryside. Realizing the need for a diverse array of residenal development, we will respond to the
needs of long established areas of the community by reinvesng and redeveloping downtown and old-
growth neighborhoods.
We will achieve our vision by exercising responsible leadership and by mobilizing partnerships among
cizens, government, businesses and instuons.
We have craed this Vision to arculate consensus on community aspiraons, structured around four
major themes and several interrelated subthemes:
1. QUALITY OF LIFE
Community Character
• In spite of its ancipated growth, Warren County will be able to retain its small-town charm and
strengthen the identy of downtown Bowling Green and its historic neighborhoods.
• We will maintain the unique idenes of the County’s smaller cies: Smiths Grove, Oakland,
Woodburn, and Plum Springs and that of our various rural communies such as Hadley, Richardsville,
and others, while increasing their self-suciency.
• We will protect and enhance our array of historic districts and quality older neighborhoods, with
investment in maintenance, re-conversion to home ownership and compable inll development.
• We will raise the bar for development quality by encouraging innovave forms of compact
development and high standards.
• We will strengthen our community character and identy through the support of and pride that we
take in Western Kentucky University, its athlec teams and sporng events, and its art and cultural
oerings.
• We will retain our agricultural base and scenic rural character by discouraging sprawl as well as
Warren County/Bowling Green
Focus 2030 Comprehensive Plan
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The Vision Statement
premature and incompable development.
People and Relaonships
• Life-long residents, as well as new arrivals, will be deeply-rooted and acvely involved in the
community through churches, civic and neighborhood organizaons and volunteer acvies.
• Our people will be well-educated, informed, caring and involved in the beerment of the community.
• We will put in place a variety of services and programs that adequately address the needs of our
mul-generaonal, mul-cultural community.
Scenic Natural Environment
• We will accommodate growth in a manner compable with our unique natural resources; karst
geology; river, stream corridors and wetlands; and woodland habitats.
• We will forever preserve a signicant share of our County’s scenic open space through an expansive
network of greenways, trails and protected stream corridors.
• We will maintain the County’s rural character by encouraging development that retains open space
and limits impacts on agriculture.
Educaonal and Cultural Opportunies
• We will connue to nurture our most valuable resource, children and young adults, by supporng
excellence in the public schools and innovavely helping students develop skills in crical thinking,
communicaon, collaboraon, and technology.
• Western Kentucky University will connue to be a valued resource and partner within the
community. The University and local government will collaborate to provide for life-long learning,
aract knowledge-based employment and challenge students to become involved cizens.
• Thanks to the presence of WKU and its libraries, local historic sites, many thriving arts organizaons,
and various venues for the performing and visual arts, Bowling Green will be a cultural desnaon
throughout the region.
2. SUSTAINABLE GROWTH | ECONOMIC STRENGTH
Throughout Warren County we will...
• Accommodate desired forms and distribuons of balanced development and re-investment,
creang quality urban, suburban and rural places that oer a choice of seng, housing type and
lifestyle.
• Raise standards for the quality of commercial and residenal development, parcularly with
regard to sustainability, environmentally-friendly design, pedestrian access and landscaping.
Warren County/Bowling Green
Focus 2030 Comprehensive Plan
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The Vision Statement
• Curb sprawl and other inecient development, while promong compact, pedestrian-friendly
development paerns that incorporate mixed uses and densies, conserve resources, and
encourage walking and biking.
• Coordinate growth-management strategies, development standards and infrastructure investment
policies between the County and its municipalies.
• Promote well-planned and aracve development and redevelopment of highway frontages in
ways that manage ecient access along major roadways.
• Become an important regional employment hub by aracng technology-based and other
corporate enes to the Kentucky TriModal TransPark, South Industrial Park and other centers for
clean industry.
• Increase homeownership rates and reduce overcrowded and substandard housing condions to
strengthen, stabilize, and enhance exisng neighborhoods.
• Provide access to leading-edge healthcare and connue to serve as the central desnaon for
healthcare services throughout the region. Healthcare will remain an economic driver for job
creaon, while serving as a desirable component for businesses and industry.
In our long-established urban areas we will...
• Accommodate compact, conguous, high quality development, redevelopment and inll within
residenal, commercial and employment centers which can be eciently served by exisng or
expanded public facilies and services.
• Maintain stability and connual re-investment in older neighborhoods to ensure historic character
is protected and homeownership and neighborhood pride are encouraged.
• Maintain well-dened urban edges of the City, within which we will accommodate a large poron
of the County’s growth, by implemenng consistent City/County policies for land use, development
standards, annexaons and public facility extensions.
• Transform downtown Bowling Green with new housing, employment, shopping, arts, and
entertainment opportunies.
In our rural areas, we will ...
• Reduce pressure for development of farmland and provide large land-owners with a variety of
opons. These may include programs and incenves such as conservaon development, purchase
or transfer of development rights, and rural land.
• Reduce pressure on farming operaons from populaon growth infringing upon rural areas.
• Achieve limited low-density development that is compable with and retains rural character.
Warren County/Bowling Green
Focus 2030 Comprehensive Plan
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The Vision Statement
3. BALANCED TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
• We will successfully coordinate with the Kentucky Transportaon Cabinet to provide a funconal
collector and arterial road system in growth areas, upgrade road condions, improve safety, reduce
congeson, and provide for convenient circulaon throughout the County, while guarding against
unwanted forms of roadway corridor development.
• We will apply development standards in a way that supports a funconal transportaon system
through guidelines for access management, road connecvity and reservaon of future roadway
corridors.
• We will progress toward a funconal, well-integrated transportaon system that provides
convenient public transportaon choices.
• Water and sewer infrastructure systems will be provided in a coordinated, county-wide manner
that meets long-term infrastructure needs, supports the reservaon of future ulity corridors,
guides desired development paerns, and conserves resources.
• Bowling Green and Warren County will connue to provide a wide array of parks and recreaonal
acvies in coordinaon with schools and other recreaon providers.
4. EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNANCE
• City and County governments will provide a high level of responsiveness to cizens, exercising
visionary leadership in planning and invesng for the future.
• Local governments will create and enforce innovave, eecve and fair regulatory codes and
development standards to guide growth and improve development quality. At the same me, we
will avoid over-regulaon by priorizing exibility and by balancing regulatory requirements with
incenves.
• We will ancipate long-range needs and plan for adequate public facilies including police, re and
recreaon.
• We will maintain and improve scal strength through:
- A diversied and fair tax structure, reecng balanced residenal, commercial and industrial
development; and
- A compact growth paern, which reduces public facility costs.
• Local governments will acvely promote greater intergovernmental coordinaon including:
- Coordinaon of policies and standards for growth management, development regulaons and
provision of infrastructure between Warren County and its incorporated municipalies; and
- Exert a greater inuence and eecveness in interacng at the state and federal levels
concerning funding and governmental mandates.
Guiding Principles
Warren County/Bowling Green
Focus 2030 Comprehensive Plan
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The primary movaon in creang the Focus 2030 Vision Statement was to idenfy those values that
most of our residents share for the quality of life and character of our community, today as well as in the
future. This Vision of our future is our shared “desnaon,” what we aspire to achieve through the policy
elements contained in the next chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. Together, the Vision Statement and
the policy elements are the means by which the residents of Warren County will retain and enhance the
community’s character, dene its identy and ensure a sustainable future.
Based on the input received at the community forums, the input of the Comprehensive Plan Task Force,
and the resulng Focus 2030 Vision Statement, the following broad principles have guided the preparaon
of this comprehensive plan and specically the development of the goals, policies and acons within each
one of its elements:
Generally
• Improve the exisng balance of land uses.
• Discourage sprawl paerns to strengthen our urban core, preserve our farmland and open space
and reduce the scal burden of inecient development.
• Provide more and beer choices for developers and greater exibility for new development
types,
• Expand the range of housing choices,
• Promote connecvity and alternave movement systems,
• Protect our natural and cultural assets; and
• Improve the visual/aesthec character of our built environment.
The Land Use/Infrastructure Connecon
• Designaons of presently undeveloped land are inuenced by:
1. transportaon/ accessibility (including planned improvements)
2. availabiilty of infrastructure
3. adjacent exisng land uses.
Bowling Green and Urbanizing Area
• Consider exisng predominant uses.
• Strengthen and enhance our downtown.
• Protect our stable residenal neighborhoods and historic districts.
• Strengthen our vulnerable residenal neighborhoods.
• Encourage revitalizaon of transional and deteriorated areas.
• Encourage more mixed use, walkable development.
2.2 GuidinG PrinciPles
FOCUS 2030 GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND ACTION ITEMS
FUTURE LAND USE
LAND USE GOAL 1:
Create a framework to manage growth and promote sustainable, balanced and predictable
patterns of land use, consistent with the ability to provide adequate public services and
facilities.
Objective LU-1.1: Upon Plan adoption, utilize the Future Land Use Map (FLUM, Figure
FLU-4) to guide decision-making regarding land uses and development proposals.
Action LU-1.1.1: The Future Land Use Map (FLUM, Figure FLU-4) shall be used to
determine the consistency which exists between future land use and development
proposals.
Action LU-1.1.2: The following land use categories are depicted on the FLUM and shall
be used in conjunction with the map to determine the consistency of land use
and development proposals:
Agriculture (AG)
This land use designation applies to those rural areas relatively remote from
the expanding rural-suburban fringe, where agriculture uses are predominant
with small and large-scale farm operations. This classification can also include
undeveloped areas used for open space and large tract single family residential
property.
While the presence of R-E zoned land is acknowledged, and in some small
areas, this zoning may even be prevalent, a new “conservation development
alternative” to development under conventional AG or R-E zoning, will become
available to landowners. Conservation development is an approach to the
design of residential subdivisions, which is highly suited to rural areas where
the retention of open space, farmland, or uninterrupted vistas of the scenic,
rural landscape is desired (See Page FLU-24 for a map of proposed Land
Conservation Development Areas). Higher densities may be possible with a
Conservation style development as permitted by the Zoning Ordinance.
Rural Density Residential
This land use designation applies to those rural areas relatively close to the
suburban fringe. It also applies to areas where property fragmentation has
occurred within unincorporated areas or near farming activities through
provisions for “exception lots” in the AG zoning district or through re-zoning
and incremental subdivision of land as Residential Estate lots with gross
densities ranging from zero (0) dwelling units per acre to one (1) dwelling units
per acre. ). Higher densities may be possible with a Conservation style
development as permitted by the Zoning Ordinance.
Low Density Residential
This land use designation comprises areas designated for single-family
detached development and attached single-family development including twin
homes and town homes where each unit is platted on its own individual lot,
with gross densities ranging from zero dwelling units per acre to four and a half
(4.5) dwelling units per acre. ). Higher densities may be possible with a
Conservation style development as permitted by the Zoning Ordinance.
Moderate Density Residential
This land use designation encourages areas developed for higher density
single-family detached and attached (RS-1C & RS-1D), as well as semi-detached
multi-family development such as duplexes and townhouses, apartment
buildings, condominiums and mobile home parks. Densities in this land use
should range between three and a half (3.5) and thirteen (13) dwelling units
per acre.
High Density Residential
This land use designation consists of areas occupied by multifamily housing,
including higher density duplexes, townhomes, apartment buildings and
condominiums. Densities exceeding eight (8) dwelling units per acre are
encouraged in this Future Land Use category. High density single family may
also be acceptable at five and a half (5.5) dwelling units per acre or greater.
Commercial
This land use designation consists of a broad array of commercial
development, including individual commercial (retail, service, hotel or office)
businesses that may exist along a highway corridor or a business district, as
well as larger planned shopping centers and office parks. Limited high density
multi-family uses are allowed to be mixed into commercial areas. These uses
should be limited to upper stories or blended in or scattered among
commercial uses. No more than twenty-five percent (25%) of any contiguous
area designed Commercial should contain a multi-family use. Compatibility will
be assessed by applying policies in LU-1.1.3 below in conjunction with a
general development plan.
Mixed Use
The Future Land Use Map includes two categories of mixed land use. They
refer to areas that combine complementary activities – for example, retail,
office or other commercial uses with residences, or industry with commerce.
These can be existing developed areas, such as downtown Bowling Green,
which retain a mixture of uses; or undeveloped or developing areas where the
basic qualities of those existing mixed-use areas (efficient use of land, higher
development intensities, and pedestrian friendliness) are intended to be
replicated. Bringing a diversity of uses together, in close proximity with one
another, makes it possible to encourage the pedestrian orientation and to
reduce vehicular trips and traffic congestion.
The development pattern in mixed-use areas may include different uses
housed in different structures (sometimes on a single site), or different uses
stacked one on top of another in a single structure. Generally, both of these
development types are likely to be found in the mixed land use districts, which
differ primarily in the relative amount of each land use that is encouraged in
them. There are two sub-categories of mixed-use, based on the predominant
character encouraged in each:
Mixed-Use/Residential
This category applies to mixed-use areas where, taken as a whole, the primary
land use is residential in a variety of housing types and densities, balanced by
complementary retail, office, institutional and civic uses. The distribution of
land among these various activities shall be implemented through specific
zoning, with standards addressing the form and character of development to
ensure compatibility.
This designation applies to the historic core of downtown Bowling Green or
urbanized areas being redeveloped with the primary use is residential where
complementary commercial and services are provided in a contiguous area.
Here, development standards should be tailored to emphasize an urban
character and a mix and intensity of development appropriate to this unique
center of activity. When proposed as part of a mixed used development,
Commercial uses should comprise only twenty-five percent (25%) of such
development. Stand alone Commercial developments should not exceed ten
percent (10%) of any contiguous area designated Mixed-Use Residential. No
commercial footprint should exceed ten thousand (10,000) square feet.
Compatibility will be assessed by applying policies in LU-1.1.3 below in
conjunction with a general development plan.
Mixed-Use/Commercial
This category applies to strategic areas, mostly undeveloped today, that are
located near designated industrial parks and accessible from major
transportation corridors. These areas are envisioned as predominately large-
scale employment and business centers, albeit supplemented by compatible
light industrial, retail, services, hotels and, where appropriate, higher density
residential development (stand-alone or in mixed-use developments). The
distribution of land among these various activities shall be addressed through
specific zoning. However, primary activities in these areas may include low and
medium-rise office complexes, as well as environmentally friendly
manufacturing and business centers.
On large tracts, these uses should be encouraged to develop in a campus-like
setting, with quality architecture and generous, connected open space to
maximize value, promote visual quality, and encourage pedestrian activity
between employment areas and areas of supporting uses such as retail,
restaurants, and residential. The primary focus of this category is commercial
mixed uses with complementary residential comprising up to fifty (50%) of the
contiguous area. Compatibility will be assessed by applying policies in LU-1.1.3
below in conjunction with a general development plan.
Industrial
This land use designation consists of areas developed or suitable for the uses
permitted in the light (LI) and heavy (HI) industrial zoning categories. Because
such areas require rail and truck access, future industrial development will
continue to gravitate to the rail corridors and I-65 interchanges.
Complementary service and commercial uses are allowed up to twenty-five
percent (25%) of the total contiguous area. Compatibility will be assessed by
applying policies in LU-1.1.3 below in conjunction with a general development
plan.
Institutional / Government
This land use designation consists of major public institutions, including the
WKU campus and public schools, and governmental functions and operations
such as the airport, government offices, and police and fire stations.
Open Space, Park and Recreation
This land use designation applies to all existing City and County owned public
parks, golf courses, other recreational facilities, and permanently protected
open spaces of countywide significance.
Rural Village
This land use designation is intended to provide for the continued vitality of
the existing commercial and residential mixed use areas found in the smaller
rural agricultural centers throughout Warren County. The rural village brings a
sense of community and identification to the surrounding rural areas with an
emphasis on providing essential goods and services to rural residents, but are
not intended as employment designations for urban residents.
Neighborhood scale commercial uses are encouraged as pockets of mixed use
developments. Commercial uses should be limited in size and scale (less than
10,000 square feet) and only allow uses permitted in the zones outlined in the
table below. When proposed as part of a mixed use development, commercial
components should comprise no more than ten percent (10%) of such
development. Stand alone commercial development should not exceed more
than twenty-five (25%) of any contiguous area designated Rural Village.
Limited moderate density multi-family uses may be appropriate in some areas
if limited in size and scale. Multi-family should not consist of more than
twenty-five percent (25%) of any rural village. Compatibility will be assessed by
applying policies in LU-1.1.3 below, in conjunction with a general development
plan, and by applying specific policies found in Focal Point Plans, area plans,
corridor studies or any other plan created and approved by the Planning
Commission.
* Allowed only with Agriculture FLUM exception lots as defined in LU-1.1.4
** Higher densities may be allowed in a conservation subdivision
Action LU-1.1.3: Requested re-zonings (zone changes) shall be reviewed for consistency
with the FLUM and the Development Review Provisions listed below.
LAND USE GOAL 2:
Encourage compact, sustainable, high quality development which protects community
character, provides balanced land uses and which is tailored to the variety of urban, suburban
and rural sections of Warren County.
Objective LU-2.1: Improve design standards and establish incentives for urban and suburban
residential development.
Action LU-2.1.1: Consider increasing or refining the standards for open space retention
in new residential development, to ensure an adequate share of such space is usable
and or scenic or ecological value.
Action LU-2.1.2: Consider adoption of a “roadway connectivity index” applicable to new
residential development tor other developments with a significant residential
component (40% or more).
Action LU-2.1.3: Consider encouraging new developments to incorporate planned
greenway links (as per the Greenbelt Master Plan) into their developments or, at a
minimum to provide connections to the greenway system whenever possible.
Action LU-2.1.4: Consider adopting incentives to promote the preservation of existing
trees on private property before, during and after development, and standards that
discourage clear cutting of trees.
Future Land Use Category
Residential Density Range
Agriculture
0-0.2**
Rural Density Residential
0-1.0**
Low Density Residential
0-4.5**
Moderate Density Residential
3.5-13
High Density Residential
5.5 or greater
Commercial
25% of development / 10% total contiguous area
Mixed-Use/Residential
75% of development / 90% total contiguous area
Mixed-Use/Commercial
50% of contiguous area
Industrial
Not allowed
Institutional / Government
Not allowed
Open Space, Parks and Recreation
Not allowed
Rural Village
75% of development / 90% total contiguous area
Action LU-2.1.5: Consider incentives for the provision of land for location and design of
schools, parks, emergency services, local commercial or other essential local-serving
community facilities and services.
Objective LU-2.2: Modify zoning regulations to better promote compact mixed use
development and Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND).
Action LU-2.2.1: Provide greater zoning flexibility and incentives for innovative
development types and multiple housing types, including dwellings suited to empty
nesters and others desiring smaller, more affordable and closer-in dwelling types.
Action LU-2.2.2: Establish guidelines and incentives to promote infill development in
underutilized areas, where practical and economically feasible.
Objective LU-2.3: Upgrade design standards for commercial and industrial development.
Action LU-2.3.1: Improve standards for access management (e.g. review spacing of
driveways, consider requiring driveway sharing or parking lot connectivity, etc.) in order
to reduce traffic “friction” and enhance safety.
Action LU-2.3.2: Prepare landscape and building design guidelines to improve the
aesthetics of all new commercial development.
Action LU-2.3.3: Adopt specific locational guidelines and design guidelines for “big-box”
and “mid-box” commercial development. Building design guidelines should address
topics such as building mass, façade and roof articulation, façade transparency, etc.
Action LU-2.3.4: Require that proposals for heavy industrial development in areas with a
DRASTIC Index of greater than 160 be accompanied by a detailed geologic analysis to
determine the carrying capacity of the underlying soils with respect to the possibility of
accidental spills of hazardous materials and storm water management.
Action LU-2.3.5: Modify regulations to ensure that the location of all industrial
development shall give due consideration to the karst landscape, the carrying capacity
of the underlying soils and karst streams, and to prevailing wind direction to minimize
the possibility of adverse impacts on the natural environment or on surrounding uses.
Objective LU-2.4: Establish a consistent sector/small area planning process to focus on areas
of the County or the City that require special attention and a more detailed level of
planning.
Action LU-2.4.1: Identify candidate study areas for sector planning, including those that
are susceptible to change because of particular growth pressures, the potential
availability of land for development, or obsolescence/decline. These may include, but
are not limited to, those illustrated in the Areas Susceptible to Change Map (Figure
FLU-6).
Action LU-2.4.2: Develop local design guidelines and implement regulations for sub-
areas within the County for which sector area plans are prepared.
Objective LU-2.5: Stabilize and protect Bowling Green’s older neighborhoods.
Action LU-2.5.1: Review conditions in transitional neighborhoods to assist in the
establishment of tools and policies designed to preserve older neighborhoods.
Action LU-2.5.2: Prepare guidelines to ensure the compatibility of infill development,
particularly next to historic structures and sites.
Action LU-2.5.3: Continue to identify and promote opportunities for revitalization and
redevelopment.
Action LU-2.5.4: Monitor public and private incentives to preserve and enhance historic
downtown resources.
Action LU-2.5.5: Ensure that zoning and building regulations are supportive of adaptive
reuse of historic structures.
Action LU-2.5.6: Revisit and, as necessary, adjust zoning in neighborhoods which are
predominantly single family, but designated for multi-family use.
Objective LU-2.6: Consider revisions to zoning regulations to promote alternatives to large-
lot sprawl in the rural area.
Action LU-2.6.1: Establish in the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations
conservation development as an alternative to development under conventional AG
zoning.
Action LU-2.6.2: Consider exempting private landowners and developers who propose
new residential developments under the conservation development option from
undergoing rezoning. Conservation development subdivisions, however, shall be subject
to all other requirements of the Subdivision Regulations.
Action LU-2.6.3: Consider adopting a program to establish voluntary agricultural
conservation easements for the protection of farmland.
Objective LU-2.7: Consider potentially available resources to pursue a “purchase of
development rights” program in Warren County.
Action LU-2.7.1: Identify potential sources that may be used to start up and maintain a
PDR program.
Objective LU-2.8: Continue to apply selected policies established in prior focal plans and
overlay districts, in particular those pertaining to the smaller incorporated cities and
corridors.
Action LU-2.8.1: Continue to implement the adopted policy plans for Lovers Lane,
Cemetery Road, Walnut Valley, the Cedar Ridge Neighborhood and the rural villages of
Smiths Grove, Oakland and Woodburn. Any discrepancies between the 2030
Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map and the adopted policy plan maps shall
follow that of the adopted policy plan (Volume 2 - Appendix 3).
Objective LU-2.9: Identify techniques to protect the County’s small municipalities and rural
settlements from development that is out of character.
Action LU-2.9.1: Adjust zoning and subdivision regulations to require development in
rural village centers to be compatible in design and placement with existing structures,
and to contribute to the historic character of the community.
Objective LU-2.10: Identify and designate “special character areas” such as scenic roads and
viewsheds for protection.
Action LU-2.10.1: Consider the development of new, context-sensitive engineering
standards or modify existing standards to protect the character of designated “scenic
corridors.”
FOCUS 2030 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION GOAL 1: Provide a safe, efficient multimodal transportation system that provides
for optimum local and regional mobility and supports the sound growth and economic
development of Warren County and Bowling Green.
Objective TR-1: Roadway Network – Support the KYTC and the MPO in meeting their
responsibilities to plan, fund and build a roadway network which supports sound growth
and the mobility needs of the community.
Action TR-1.1: In reviewing development applications, identify the need to retain
rights-of-way for roadways depicted in the long-range plans of the MPO and the KYTC.
Action TR-1.2: Identify and bring to the attention of the MPO and KYTC, or alternatively
prioritize through the City’s or County’s Capital Improvement process when possible,
those roadway links and intersection improvements not currently included in the long-
range plans, but which may be necessary to support the future land use pattern.
Action TR-1.3: In lieu of implementation of currently unfunded and unscheduled road
improvements, encourage attention by the KYTC and MPO to cost effective
improvements to address congestion “hot spots” through such means as intersection
capacity improvements, signal re-timing and synchronization, dedicated turn lanes, etc.)
Objective TR-2: Coordinated Policies, Standards and Programs to Support Efficient Mobility
– Revise regulatory provisions and development standards and develop other programs to
promote efficient and safe mobility and mitigate congestion.
Action TR-2.1: Continue to require that all private and public development is undertaken
in a manner which promotes connectivity and minimizes traffic congestion on the
existing road network, by implementing measures such as (but not limited to) the
following:
Adjacent developments shall provide for internal circulation between them in
accordance with the subdivision regulations.
At least one stub street should be constructed into each adjacent undeveloped
property of 10 acres or more. The design of future alignment of street extensions
onto adjacent tracts should benefit the surrounding community. Subsequent
development of these adjacent tracts shall connect to the original stub street.
Access to existing collector and arterial roads shall be provided by newly constructed
public streets spaced not closer than 600 feet on collectors and not closer than
1,320 feet on arterials.
All residential developments of 10 lots or more shall be served by an interior street
system.
Development within the City limits of Bowling Green shall comply with the City’s
adopted Traffic Access Management Manual.
Action TR-2.2: Strengthen and clarify requirements and thresholds for the conduct of
traffic impact analyses for new developments.
Action TR-2.3: Consider the practicability of a variety of tools to ensure the equitable
financing of roadway infrastructure.
Action TR-2.4: Modify development standards in the zoning ordinance and subdivision
regulations to further support efficient mobility and mitigate congestion on arterial and
collector streets.
Action TR- 2.5: Promote a Travel Demand Management Program, working with major
employers and transit providers to reduce peak-hour commuter congestion through
such means as the following:
Opportunities for remote parking (off-site or urban fringe parking facilities)
combined with employer-provided or subsidized park & ride service.
Improve conditions for walking and cycling by providing new or upgrading existing
walking and cycling facilities.
Action TR-2.6: Proposed modifications to the existing road network which may result in
reduced network connectivity – such as road closures or traffic calming devices – should
require a determination of acceptable impacts on network levels of service.
Action TR-2.7: Consider adopting a “roadway connectivity index” for new residential
subdivisions or other developments that include a significant residential component
(40% or more).
Objective TR-3: Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility – Promote pedestrian and bicycle mobility
through an integrated network of sidewalks, paths and trails and through the
encouragement of bicycle and pedestrian-friendly streets and land use and development
patterns.
Action TR-3.1: Consider adopting a “complete streets” program that includes
accommodation for bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as cars.
Action TR-3.2: Support the continued implementation and periodic updating of the
Greenbelt (Greenways - Figure TR-2), Sidewalk and Bicycle Facilities Master Plans.
Action TR-3.3: Review, revise and expand zoning and subdivision ordinance provisions
for pedestrian and bicycle facilities to promote connectivity and safe routes between
public and private developments, bicycle routes and exterior roadways, where
applicable or feasible.
Action TR-3.4: Coordinate with the KYTC and the MPO to ensure that bicycle and
pedestrian ways are established in conjunction with the construction, reconstruction or
other change of any state transportation facility, with special emphasis on those
projects that are located in or within 1 mile of an urban area.
Action TR-3.5: Encourage consideration of bicycle and pedestrian mobility in all future
transportation plans coordinated by the City-County Planning Commission, Western
Kentucky University, the Barren River Area Development District, Metropolitan Planning
Organization and local jurisdictions.
Action TR-3.6: Evaluate manuals such as the AASHTO (American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials) Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities to
determine which ideas might be used to better incorporate cycling concerns into
infrastructure projects.
Action TR-3.7: Consider changes in the zoning ordinance to incentivize the provision of
bicycle racks for new development or redevelopment, possibly with a set number of
bicycle racks replacing a required vehicle parking space.
Objective TR-4: Transit System – Expand opportunities for transit alternatives to auto-
dependence for local, citywide, countywide and regional travel.
Action TR-4.1: Support the expansion of the Go BG bus system (Figure TR-3) with a new
downtown transfer hub and hubs at other outlying locations, and additional bus routes
serving Transpark and other new or emerging activity centers.
Action TR-4.2: Consider the feasibility of long-range commuter rail service using existing
rail connections to Nashville and Louisville.
Objective TR-5: Airport – Support development of the planned airport at the Transpark,
consistent with the availability of funding and FAA and other necessary approvals.
Action TR-5.1: Pursue a combination of federal, state and local funding sources for the
construction and operation of a new, relocated airport at Transpark.
Action TR-5.2: Ensure application of development limitations related to height,
safety/setback zones and noise for all development surrounding the proposed airport,
consistent with FAA safety standards and the noise tolerance of prospective land uses.
Action TR-5.3: Plan for the redevelopment of the existing airport property in a manner
that best supports the sound growth and economic strengthening of Warren County and
Bowling Green and is consistent with the Future Land Use Map and Comprehensive Plan
policies.
Action TR-5.4: When the current airport relocates, engage and assist the airport
authority in conducting a highest and best use economic study; prepare and evaluate
alternative development scenarios with public input; prepare an airport re-use master
plan.
Objective TR-6: Freight – Support the creation of an efficient, safe, multimodal freight
transportation system.
Action TR-6.1: Consider designating specific arterials in the Thoroughfare Map as Major
Truck Streets, and identify intermodal connector points. Improve pavement conditions
on those truck access routes.
Action TR-6.2: As development of industrial land continues, identify and prioritize
infrastructure projects (roadway or rail) that may be necessary to maintain adequate
freight mobility.
Action TR-6.3: Coordinate with CSX Transportation improvements involving rail capacity,
speed and safety.
Action TR-6.4: Ensure that impacts on land uses adjacent to the rail line and intermodal
transfer stations are minimized and mitigated.
Action TR-6.5: Seek to minimize conflicts between trucks and other transportation
modes.
Action TR-6.6: Maintain an inventory of infrastructure height and weight restrictions
roads and bridges) facing trucks in Warren County and make available to the trucking
community via the Internet.
Action TR-6.7: Consider developing a freight mobility strategic action plan to help
support and protect the freight transportation infrastructure and, with it, the local
industrial job base.
FOCUS 2030 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
COMMUNITY FACILITIES GOAL 1: Provide community facilities and services that meet the physical,
social and cultural needs of the population of Warren County and its municipalities.
Objective CF-1: General – Ensure the provision of adequate public facilities and related
services to meet the demand of existing and future residents and associated commercial
and industrial growth.
Objective CF-2: Water and Sewer – Ensure and appropriately staged, efficient provision
of water and sewer infrastructure to support the planned incremental growth of the
community.
Objective CF-3: Solid Waste – Pursue active County participation in regional planning for
solid waste facilities to ensure adequate landfill capacity to serve the needs of the
projected population through the end of the Comprehensive Plan horizon and beyond.
Objective CF-4: Stormwater – In coordination with other responsible agencies, continue
to develop and implement programs to manage stormwater runoff to prevent flooding,
address water pollution and improve the quality of the County’s and the region’s water
bodies.
Objective CF-5: Public Safety – In coordination with other responsible agencies, continue
to monitor the community needs for expansion of staff and facilities to meet fire and
police protection.
Objective CF-6: Schools – Coordinate with Warren County Public Schools and Bowling
Green Independent School District to identify school sites, consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan’s policies for growth and development.
Objective CF-7: WKU – Continue to coordinate efforts with WKU to ensure that the
institution’s growth is served in a manner that minimizes negative impacts on areas
surrounding the school’s local campuses, while capitalizing on the advantages of a
positive University/host community synergy.
Objective CF-8: Libraries – Develop and implement a plan to meet future community
needs for library services.
Objective CF-9: Telecommunications – Promote the development of a state-of-the art
telecommunications network throughout the County.
Objective CF-10: Sustainability – Encourage resource conservation and sustainability.
FOCUS 2030 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
PARKS AND RECREATION
PARKS AND RECREATION GOAL 1: Provide all residents and visitors of Warren County with quality
parks and recreational facilities and services.
Objective PR-1: Provide parks and recreational facilities and programs appropriate to
accommodate Warren County’s future population.
Objective PR-2: Seek equitable ways to distribute the cost of open space and
recreational facilities necessary to serve new development between the private and
public sectors.
Objective PR-3: Continue to implement the Greenbelt System Master plan and other
programs that support bicycle and pedestrian recreation and mobility.
Objective PR-4: Make Bowling Green and Warren County a premier community for
bicycling.
Objective PR-5: Promote a diversity of recreational water-based activities and programs
as well as waterfront uses that are appropriate to and compatible with the
environment, character and long-term sustainability of the County’s blueways.
FOCUS 2030 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES GOAL 1: Protect, enhance and restore Warren County’s
irreplaceable natural and scenic resources, striving for an appropriate balance between
development and resource conservation, to maximize the benefits conferred on our community
by its natural setting.
Objective NCR-1.1: Review and, as necessary, modify the land development regulations
to ensure that land use and development decisions consider the physical suitability and
natural resources of individual sites or areas anticipated for development.
Objective NCR-1.2: Protect Warren County’s air quality and its water supply and quality,
for the benefit of present and future residents and visitors.
Objective NCR-1.3: Ensure that development is compatible with the natural
environment, preserves unique landscapes and natural areas, conserves environmental
resources and minimizes human impact on the natural environment.
Objective NCR-1.4: Take advantage of local natural resources to create, protect and
enhance and maintain recreational, educational and cultural opportunities and
activities, as long as such uses are compatible with those resources.
NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES GOAL 2: Preserve significant elements of Warren County’s
historic, agricultural, architectural and archaeological heritage.
Objective NCR-2.1: Gather, analyze and continuously update data about Warren
County’s unique cultural resources.
Objective NCR-2.2: Support educational efforts to increase awareness of Warren
County’s cultural resources to foster their preservation.
Objective NCR-2.3: Consider the application of regulatory tools and incentives to
promote rehabilitation of historic/archaeological structures, properties and districts.
Objective NCR-2.4: Implement strategies and tools to preserve and enhance Warren
County’s rural and agricultural heritage, including its agricultural landscapes and
viewsheds, rural village centers, rural landmarks and scenic rural corridors, etc.
Objective NCR-2.5: Promote the economic viability and vitality of historic
neighborhoods, historic districts and rural landscapes, adjusting local government
decision-making processes, as necessary, to adequately consider cultural resources and
historic preservation.
FOCUS 2030 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS
HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS GOAL 1: Meet the demand for residential options that are affordable
and integrated into vibrant neighborhoods and diverse districts.
Objective HN-1: Promote the development of infill sites with existing urban services and
suitable redevelopment projects that maintain or improve existing character,
development patterns and urban design.
Objective HN-2: Establish programs to maintain and improve the quality of housing
stock.
Objective HN-3: Protect, revitalize or redevelop older residential neighborhoods as
identified on the Neighborhood Stability and Revitalization Map, while protecting and
enhancing newer residential neighborhoods.
Objective HN-4: Encourage an array of housing options in all parts of Warren County.
Objective HN-5: Ensure that the housing stock is affordable to all segments of the
current and future population.
Objective HN-6: Provide for the housing needs of the elderly, disabled and those in need
of transitional housing.
FOCUS 2030 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOAL 1: Maintain a strong local economy that provides opportunities and
resources to everyone in Warren County.
Objective ED-1: Pursue actions to strengthen core industries, retain existing businesses
and industries in the community and attract new businesses and industries, particularly
those that will help to diversify the local economy.
Objective ED-2: Pursue the development of corporate business parks to attract leading
technology-based industries.
Objective ED-3: Support local small businesses, entrepreneurial endeavors and
industries.
Objective ED-4: Support the continuation and strengthening of a high value local
agricultural sector and related economic opportunities.
Objective ED-5: Endeavor to advance the academic achievement, skills enhancement
and competency of the workforce.
Objective ED-6: Take practical steps to maintain and improve the quality of life in
Warren County in support of economic development objectives.
Objective ED-7: Make the most efficient use of infrastructure and public resources.
Objective ED-8: Support expansion of economic opportunities to disadvantaged persons
and to geographic areas that have historically underperformed economically.
Objective ED-9: Strengthen the position of Downtown Bowling Green as a community
focus of economic activity.
Objective ED-10: Coordinate the efforts and share informational resources among the
various entities involved in economic development.