D.D. Williamson Rezoning Information
DD Williamson rezoning and demolition – 1901 R Payne St
On December 16, 2025 Metro Council approved a resolution asking the Planning Commission to consider rezoning the property at 1901 R Payne St. to a lower, more appropriate zoning classification. After studying this request, the Planning Commission responded on March 9, 2026 with an application to rezone the property from M2 to CM. At the Clifton Community Council Quarterly Public meeting on March 16, 2026, Brian Davis, Director, Office of Planning, made a presentation to residents who attended discussing the M2 to CM rezoning recommendation. The Planning Commission held a public hearing at its regularly scheduled meeting on April 23, 2026. After some discussion, the Commissions passed a motion to approve the rezoning of the property (Case: 26-ZONE-0030) with only one dissenting vote. On June 2, 2026 the Metro Council Planning and Zoning committee approved ordinance O-137-26 approving the rezoning. On June 11, Metro Council approved the rezoning of the property from M2 to CM with a vote on 20 to 5. The rezoning became official with the Mayor’s signature.
The rezoning from M2 (industrial) to CM (commercial/manufacturing) will permit commercial (C2), less intensive industrial uses (M1), and a mix use of office and residential (OR). M2 zoning only permits industrial uses. Residents voiced their interest for more options than just industrial uses, and this will achieve that goal.
Clifton has a history of former industrial properties transitioning to office, residential, or mixed uses. Two recent examples are the former Ready Electric property, 2008-2032 Frankfort Ave, that is now the AMP Apartments, and the former Louisville Paving/Charlton Company, 1829 R Payne St. that is now Advanced Business Solutions, 1745 Payne St. The former Dr. Pepper plant and D&W Silks site at 2320 Frankfort (at Keats) is currently zoned CM.
Regarding the demolition, in August 2025, the owners filed a wrecking permit application with the city. On January 12, 2026, Metro approved a wrecking permit (BLD-WRE-25-00339) for 1901R Payne St. On January 19, 2026 the owners announced their demolition contractor would have equipment on site to begin the demolition. Metro Codes and Regulations inspectors monitored the work. As of May 15 seeding and straw mats are being applied, fencing has been installed, and the main gate is being replaced. The contractor received their final inspection approval on May 19, 2026.
The future
When DD Williamson sells the property to a new owner, the new owner will be responsible for any additional environmental clean-up based on the use they select for the site.
The new owner will submit a development plan to the Planning Commission and for review by agencies like Louisville Fire, MSD, LGE, Louisville Water, Public Works, Health Dept, Air Pollution Control, KY Division of Water, AT&T, TARC, and other agencies. Applications for waivers and/or variances will also be processed by staff and submitted to the appropriate approval body (LD&T, BOZA, Development Review Committee, etc.)
The new owner will also submit a Certificate of Appropriateness application to the Landmarks Commission to obtain approval of the design for their new construction plans. The Landmarks Commission staff will study the proposal, prepare a staff report for the Clifton Architectural Review Committee, and schedule a public hearing to be held on a Wednesday, 4:30 pm, 444 S. 5th St. in the 1st floor conference room.
PDF files attached below: List of Zoning Districts, CM Zoning, M1 Zoning, C2 Zoning, Resolution passed by Metro Council on 12-16-25
On December 16, 2025 Metro Council approved a resolution asking the Planning Commission to consider rezoning the property at 1901 R Payne St. to a lower, more appropriate zoning classification. After studying this request, the Planning Commission responded on March 9, 2026 with an application to rezone the property from M2 to CM. At the Clifton Community Council Quarterly Public meeting on March 16, 2026, Brian Davis, Director, Office of Planning, made a presentation to residents who attended discussing the M2 to CM rezoning recommendation. The Planning Commission held a public hearing at its regularly scheduled meeting on April 23, 2026. After some discussion, the Commissions passed a motion to approve the rezoning of the property (Case: 26-ZONE-0030) with only one dissenting vote. On June 2, 2026 the Metro Council Planning and Zoning committee approved ordinance O-137-26 approving the rezoning. On June 11, Metro Council approved the rezoning of the property from M2 to CM with a vote on 20 to 5. The rezoning became official with the Mayor’s signature.
The rezoning from M2 (industrial) to CM (commercial/manufacturing) will permit commercial (C2), less intensive industrial uses (M1), and a mix use of office and residential (OR). M2 zoning only permits industrial uses. Residents voiced their interest for more options than just industrial uses, and this will achieve that goal.
Clifton has a history of former industrial properties transitioning to office, residential, or mixed uses. Two recent examples are the former Ready Electric property, 2008-2032 Frankfort Ave, that is now the AMP Apartments, and the former Louisville Paving/Charlton Company, 1829 R Payne St. that is now Advanced Business Solutions, 1745 Payne St. The former Dr. Pepper plant and D&W Silks site at 2320 Frankfort (at Keats) is currently zoned CM.
Regarding the demolition, in August 2025, the owners filed a wrecking permit application with the city. On January 12, 2026, Metro approved a wrecking permit (BLD-WRE-25-00339) for 1901R Payne St. On January 19, 2026 the owners announced their demolition contractor would have equipment on site to begin the demolition. Metro Codes and Regulations inspectors monitored the work. As of May 15 seeding and straw mats are being applied, fencing has been installed, and the main gate is being replaced. The contractor received their final inspection approval on May 19, 2026.
The future
When DD Williamson sells the property to a new owner, the new owner will be responsible for any additional environmental clean-up based on the use they select for the site.
The new owner will submit a development plan to the Planning Commission and for review by agencies like Louisville Fire, MSD, LGE, Louisville Water, Public Works, Health Dept, Air Pollution Control, KY Division of Water, AT&T, TARC, and other agencies. Applications for waivers and/or variances will also be processed by staff and submitted to the appropriate approval body (LD&T, BOZA, Development Review Committee, etc.)
The new owner will also submit a Certificate of Appropriateness application to the Landmarks Commission to obtain approval of the design for their new construction plans. The Landmarks Commission staff will study the proposal, prepare a staff report for the Clifton Architectural Review Committee, and schedule a public hearing to be held on a Wednesday, 4:30 pm, 444 S. 5th St. in the 1st floor conference room.
PDF files attached below: List of Zoning Districts, CM Zoning, M1 Zoning, C2 Zoning, Resolution passed by Metro Council on 12-16-25
| ldc_zoning_districts.pdf |
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| r-161-25_v_12-16-25_mc_resolution_to_rezone_1901_r_payne_st.pdf |