Pulse of Union

Voting Resources and Up-To-Date Details

Let your voice be heard on November 5 and find out voting information such as absentee options, maps of polling locations, & specific election details. Be sure to bring a valid ID and confirm your polling place and hours of operation before heading out to vote. https://boone.countyclerk.us/home/elections/

Union Trick-or-Treat

Calling all ghouls, goblins, and things that go bump in the night! The city of Union’s TRICK-OR-TREAT schedule is set for HALLOWEEN night from 6-8PM. If you are joining in on the spooky fun, please turn on your porch light to welcome the little monsters and be cautious of the spooky trick or treaters if driving at those hours. Let’s have a frightfully fun and safe evening for all!

Thank you to all that joined us for our 3rd annual Bourbon in the Bluegrass on October 5. We couldn’t have asked for a better day with better company. We appreciate our community support and look forward to seeing you next year!

October Public Works Updates

Our largest city-led construction project continues to be the Brilliance Ave Road Extension. We are over 75% complete on the project but are also in the middle of a key milestone which is to replace the Brilliance/Melody Drive intersection. The project is under way and hope to reopen the route to traffic by soon. Sidewalks, landscaping, ADA ramps, and more will soon follow over the next month. Sweet Harmony’s new sidewalks have been installed. Pavement repair in Traemore subdivision will be fixed before winter arrives.

 Breakfast with Santa event is at Union Fire Dept on Saturday, December 7 8:30-10:30 AM

Photography Contest ends October 31, 2024

  Pulse of Union

Commission Based vs. City Council Based Government: Understanding the Differences

Municipal governments in the U.S. can be organized in several ways, with two of the most common forms being commission-based and city council-based. Each structure has its unique characteristics and specific advantages for different needs facing cities. Understanding these differences can help citizens make informed decisions about local governance and identify how the City of Union is governed.

City Council-Based Government

The mayor-council plan operates much like any executive-legislative form of government. This features a clear separation between legislative and executive functions. The council, as the legislative body, performs legislative duties such as enacting ordinances, levying taxes, and adopting a budget. The mayor holds executive powers such as vetoing legislation, overseeing personnel, and managing the daily affairs of the city. The mayor may also vote to break most ties in council meetings.

Commission-Based Government

The City of Union is an incorporated fourth-class home rule city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky that utilizes Commission-Based government. Cities that have a commission form of government still elect a mayor, but the mayor serves, participates, and votes as a member of the city commission. Each city under a commission form of government elects four commissioners (instead of council members) and one mayor, all of whom constitute the city commission. The commission collectively holds both executive and legislative authority. The mayor and commissioners, are assigned executive responsibility for a specific aspect of municipal affairs, each overseeing specific city departments, such as administration, public works, finance, communications, and economic development.  The mayor carries no additional executive authority compared to the rest of the commission other than ceremonial, signing legislation, and presiding over commission meetings. Together, they constitute the legislative body of the city and, as a group, are responsible for taxation, appropriations, ordinances, and other general functions.

Key Characteristics and Advantages of a Commission-Based Government

There are several characteristics and advantages of having a commission-based government like the one we use in Union, Kentucky.

1. Unified Authority: Our commissioners collectively hold both legislative and executive powers meaning they can pass ordinances, set policies, and directly manage city operations.
2. Departmental Oversight: The mayor and each commissioner are responsible for a city department providing direct oversight and accountability. Union’s Mayor and commissioners are responsible for specific departments in Union.
3. Streamlined Governance: With few elected officials, decisions can be made more quickly and the lines of responsibility are clear.
4. Election Cycles: The mayor is elected every four (4) years ensuring continuity and leadership. Meanwhile, commissioners, who represent different departments within the city, are elected every two (2) years. This staggered election cycle allows for maintaining a balance, stability, and responsiveness in our local government.  

Union Town Square Park plans are in full swing! We are thrilled to plan for everything to include in our upcoming park from playgrounds, trails, theater, relaxation, and community events. We are striving to make this park one everyone will enjoy. This is a draft and as we continue to work on the design, some things may change, but we are so excited to show the progress! 

September Public Works Updates Our largest city-led construction project continues to be the Brilliance Ave Road Extension. We are over 50% complete on the project but are also in the middle of a key milestone which is to replace the Brilliance/Melody Drive intersection. The project is under way and hope to reopen the route to traffic by mid-September. Sidewalks, landscaping, ADA ramps, and more will soon follow over the next month. Another project that will be started (and hopefully completed) in September is the building of a sidewalk along the south side of Sweet Harmony in front of the fire station. This project will connect the sidewalk from the west side of the Harmony subdivision to US42.

 Bourbon in the Bluegrass event is on Saturday, October 5 3-7PM at Farm Haven

Photography Contest ends October 31, 2024

 Pulse of Union

Navigating City Evolution & Development Processes

 Boone County Schools Start Thursday, August 15 As schools are starting, please be extra cautious while driving. Watch for increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic around school zones. Remember to stop for school buses and stay alert for children crossing the street. Let’s ensure a safe and smooth transition for everyone heading back to school.

Union Rice Cemetery Maintenance Update We wanted to share some updates with you! Today, we are removing two unhealthy trees at the Union Rice Cemetery with plans to replace them when the ground is able to allow planting new ones.

Brilliance Avenue Update We are getting closer to a temporary road closure of Brilliance Ave between US 42 & Melody Dr. Once we have a date is set, we will update everyone . Our contractor will be removing the stamped pavement and completing a partial demo of a traffic island. Please see the road closure graphic. We will be notifying the bus garage, fire/EMS/sheriff, USPS, Rumpke, etc. The length of the closure is weather dependent,
but hopefully less than two weeks down time.

Pulse of Union

Navigating City Evolution & Development Processes

DOING BUSINESS IN UNION: Every property falls within a Zoning District and regulations are defined per zone.  The regulations include a list of permitted primary and accessory uses. For example, the Union Commercial (UC) District allows “eating and drinking establishments including alcoholic beverages, and drive-through, franchise style fast food establishments”, among many other uses. In other words, an eating establishment must:

• Choose to locate in the city,
• Agree to associated costs (lease, purchase price, etc.),
• Meet zoning regulations,
• Meet any requirements established within a specific development,
• And if new construction, receive approval from the Boone County Planning Commission,
• Receive final approval from the City of Union Commission.

A lot of questions have arisen concerning the Union Promenade development. We would like to share a few of the frequently asked questions along with responses.

Q: Why can’t my favorite restaurant open in the Union Promenade?

A: It can if it falls within the approved project plans. It also depends on whether your favorite restaurant wants to come to Union with a desire to build or lease. If you own or know of a restaurant that wants to open in the Promenade, please let us know and we will be happy to put you in touch with the Commercial Realtor. 

Q: Why are there fast-food restaurants at the Promenade?

A: The Union Promenade development was approved to be an entertainment district offering eating establishments.  Each Promenade lot allows a building from 6,000 to 12,000 square feet with appropriate parking on each lot.  A maximum of two (2) drive-through and two (2) pick up window food and beverage establishments are also allowed. The city does not have the ability to pick and choose which restaurants open if they meet the approved zoning and project requirements.

Q: If the city cannot pick and choose companies, why wasn’t Aldi allowed to open?

A: Grocer is a permitted use, but the size of the proposed building exceeded the maximum size specified in the approved project.  Additionally, the company wanted to combine two large lots into one which is also not part of the approved project. If Aldi reduced their building size and built on one lot, they could have opened at the Promenade.

Q: Does the city grant exceptions to the approved Union Promenade development plan?

A: No, if the city granted a change to the development, then the next developer would want the same exception.  If that happened, then the promised entertainment district would be lost forever.  To keep the integrity of the approved entertainment district, the city turned down the Aldi request for a development change and granted no exceptions to the original Promenade plan.

Resources: Union Town Center Zoning Districts

• https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/boonecounty-ky/doc-viewer.aspx#secid–1

https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/boonecounty-ky/doc-viewer.aspx#secid-2073