Why We Oppose
3 Reasons Why We Oppose
1
Prevents Any Affordable Housing
A 30% mandate will be one of the highest requirements in the country, and is guaranteed to stop affordable housing projects cold, drive up home prices, and push families, workers, and young people out of Louisville.
2
Higher Fees, Fewer Jobs
The proposed mandate hikes development impact fees so high that businesses will skip Louisville and take jobs, customers, and tax revenues with them.
3
Ignores Citizen Voices
These ordinances will mandate higher fees and impossible housing requirements that will stall growth, shrink our economy, and turn Louisville into a place only the wealthy can afford – which is the exact opposite of what our community-driven Comp Plan Update calls for.
Not One Single City Council Member Supports These – And Louisville Doesn’t Need Them
- All seven members of City Council vocally oppose these proposed measures because the infrastructure fees and oversight already exist.
- These measures unnecessarily add more requirements without clarity or flexibility only adds confusion and cost.
- This isn’t fair: it burdens development without ensuring results.
- Stops new affordable housing: these ordinances would go against Council's stated goals to build more inclusive and affordable housing.
“Rezoning for Affordability” Will Stop Affordable Housing
The proposed “Rezoning for Affordability” ordinance would make many housing projects financially impossible to build, slashing supply and driving prices even higher.
- Highest in the country. Affordable housing already operates according to some of the slimmest margins in the housing sector – and that's before federal and state subsidies were cut.
- Everyone gets hurt. Families, seniors, teachers, nurses, and first responders won’t be able to afford to live here.
- Young professionals will leave before they arrive. Rising costs will force the next generation to look elsewhere.
- Our community will lose its balance. Without new, attainable housing, Louisville risks becoming a town only the wealthy can afford.
Development Already Pays Its Own Way
The proposed “Development Pays Its Own Way” ordinance would dramatically and prohibitively hike existing development impact fees, making Louisville one of the most expensive places in the country to build.
- New businesses will go elsewhere. Higher upfront costs will push projects to neighboring cities with friendlier policies.
- Jobs will disappear before they’re created. Without new commercial growth, there will be fewer opportunities for local employment.
- Shops and restaurants will feel the pinch. Fewer workers living and working in Louisville means fewer customers walking through the door.
- Our economy will stall. Driving away investment will choke the very small-town vitality we all value.
