Area A-1 | Area A-2 | Area B | Area C-1 | Area C-2

Section A

1. Pursuant to KRS 82.660 - 82.670, the Waterfront Review Overlay District (the "District") is created in order to provide additional regulations for design standards and development for the District.

2. The boundaries of the District shall be as set forth in Appendix A to this chapter.

3. The distinctive characteristics of the District are as follows: Ambiance of the Louisville Waterfront District is created by a variety of physical characteristics. Protecting and enhancing each characteristic will contribute to the desired image of the District. The most important characteristic in the District is proximity to the river, especially the location of public space along the river's edge. The District's proximity to downtown is also unique. The area's image is enhanced by brick buildings on Main Street. The mix of commercial, residential and park land uses within the District also creates a desirable image. Tree-lined roadways encourage a "parkway" feel for those who travel the area. Concrete, asphalt and water paths connect Waterfront Park in all directions to other districts and neighborhoods. This accessibility to the park is a major component of the District's character. Harmony between landscape materials and building materials is also important to the image of the District. Signage and other stand-along features that do not contribute to District ambiance are minimal.

Section B: Description of Boundaries

The Waterfront Review Overlay (WRO) District, for the purpose of design reviews by the Waterfront Development Corporation, shall be considered to consist of three sub-areas with boundaries, which are incorporated by reference thereto and made a part of this subchapter.

1. Area A-1: Downtown (CBD) waterfront area. Consistent with the W-1 and C-3 zoning, the intent is to achieve a high degree of public use with parks, hotels, public assembly areas, high density residential areas, and river theme retail commercial uses. The character envisioned is an urban district with hard-edged landscape and streetscape treatment, especially pedestrian oriented for day and night use with continuous public access to the water's edge.

2. Area A-2: This area provides the potential to expand the downtown waterfront oriented businesses and public uses. Protection of the established character of historic structures and the extension of the established Main Street scale are important. Transition and connection from the CBD to the river for the public, and especially pedestrian movement, are key concepts. Pedestrian and vehicular linkages north and south across River Road are important concerns.

3. Area B: This area contains Eva Bandman Park which is a community active and passive recreation area and should serve as a transition buffer from the urbanizing waterfront of Areas A-1 and B to the industrial waterfront in C-1. Area B is suited for a mix of public and private uses as permitted with W-2 zoning. Extension of the public assembly and gathering facilities and river's edge accessibility easterly from Area A-1 is encouraged. A transition from the urban waterfront of A-1 to a mix of developed and natural landscape at the water's edge is expected. Residential use is encouraged with densities variable from high to medium, taking advantage of adjacency to the river and public park land and proximity to the CBD.

4. Area C-1: The balance of C-1 is primarily zoned W-3 with the intent of providing river-oriented industry a location for operation. Public access to the river's edge is preferred, but it is understood that safety, security or other business needs may make river edge access impractical. The key design issues for the area include the visual relationships of proposed development (height and mass) to River Road, to area C-2 south of River Road, and to vistas from I-64, I-71 and the river. Circulation and access impacts on the proposed River Road Parkway are also important issues. Industrial development proposed within the W-3 area, of the WRO district, shall receive a decreased level of review. Specifically, design criteria relating to the district's image will only apply to the areas visible from River Road and to a lesser degree from the Ohio River. Once it is determined that, by virtue of its "interior" location, a development proposal does not impact the district's image, notice will be given the applicant to proceed.

5. Area C-2: This area is south of River Road and is expected to have both public and private open space and recreation and uses on the eastern end, and have the potential for private and public uses on the western side similar to the expectation for Area B. The design issues focus on the I-64, I-71 and River Road corridors, where it is desirable for these to continue to serve as scenic, landscaped approaches to Louisville's CBD from the east. Development will be reviewed with the idea that intensity will diminish from the medium density dominant in Area B to the pastoral, open-space character present at the eastern edge of the Review District.