A proposed 340-unit apartment complex off US-42 and Bowman Way is drawing cross-city opposition ahead of a public hearing Wednesday, Aug. 5, in Florence.

Union Mayor Larry Solomon and residents of Florence's Orleans neighborhood are pushing the city to reject the project, which would require annexing unincorporated Boone County land into Florence. Solomon said Bowman Way lacks the road capacity for hundreds of new units.

"They're only using one entrance and exit out of here onto Bowman Avenue or, you know, Bowman Way," Solomon told WCPO on Thursday, July 30. "That street can't handle that traffic."

Florence City Administrator Joshua Hunt pushed back, saying Bowman Way sits within Florence's boundaries, not Union's. Hunt said traffic studies have already been completed for the road and that the city is working with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials to monitor impacts along US-42.

Trevor Nelson, HOA president of the Orleans neighborhood near the proposed site, said he isn't opposed to growth but wants infrastructure built first. Nelson said Long Branch Road must connect directly to US-42 before more apartments go in.

A Florence spokesperson said the city is moving forward with plans to make that Long Branch Road connection, which officials say will improve traffic flow through the corridor.

Solomon called on Florence to reject the proposal and instead collaborate with Union and Boone County on a development plan that works for residents on all sides of the boundary line.

How to weigh in

The rezoning public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Florence Government Center, 8100 Ewing Blvd., according to city records. Residents with questions can contact City Clerk Melissa Kramer at 859-647-8177.

The developer behind the project has not been publicly identified.