Mayor Judy Sheets shares thoughts about growth and development for the City of Frankfort
Due to the recent news regarding the proposed “Banderas Point” development
near the I-65 Interchange, I would like to thank Good Oil Company and their CEO, Don Good,
for their investment and partnership with Frankfort and Clinton County. This investment will
bring new opportunities and high-quality development to our community. Good Oil has shown
great commitment to the goals in the State Road 28 Overlay District that guard the gateway to
the City of Frankfort both inside and outside the City Corporate limits. They have worked
through many challenges and are bringing a proposal that is mindful of the Comprehensive Plan
and will have unique amenities that we are very excited about.
I have had my team involved in the planning process to make sure that as this development
takes shape, the transition is smooth, and the high standards for development in Frankfort’s
gateway are maintained. Don Stock, Director of Planning & Housing Initiatives, attends zoning
meetings and has reported back to me to resolve any issues that may arise in the future. A
considerable challenge for this project is merging two different zoning districts. The new
enterprise designed by Prince Alexander Architecture with Crystal Kent, the main project
architect, will have its own Planned United Development (PUD) district which our current
ordinance doesn’t support. PUD districts allow for creative combinations of uses, such as
outdoor shopping malls, entertainment venues, recreational facilities, agri-tourism, parks, and
more, in a single high-end custom district that allows for stronger design control and a
consistent look and feel. My hope is that the Council will look at passing the 2023 Unified
Development Ordinance (UDO) updating the cities aging 1967 zoning ordinance. The new UDO
will allow Frankfort to use all the tools enacted by State Law for encouraging high-quality mixeduse development.
It’s modern, easy-to-navigate land use ordinances will also allow Frankfort to
successfully partner in helping this project go off without hesitation before and after partial
annexation of the site. Frankfort will benefit from annexation with the increased commercial tax
revenue created by the structures once they are completed, and from the economic
development effects of the entertainment venue that will draw visitors to spend money in our
community. This proposed development will help place Frankfort on the map as a destination.
Visitors will be excited to spend time in our community as well as add multiple new
entertainment and recreational amenities that we, as residents, can enjoy close to home.
I am honored and privileged to be able to lead our community with updated ordinances and
collaborate with developers and Clinton County to further position the City of Frankfort to attract
investments while maintaining a high quality of life that will draw increasing interest in Clinton
County and the City of Frankfort.
Original source can be found here.
