Shopping center planned near Snyder

3 buildings set for 4-acre tract

By Niki King • nking@courier-journal.com • November 24, 201

It would be a multi-use shopping center on a four-acre parcel at Billtown and Gelhaus Roads. Plans call for three buildings for a total of about 35,000 square feet of retail and commercial space.

The first floor of the largest building will house a branch bank and a small food market called The Carriage House, which also will sell fuel. The second story will feature office space that could house small businesses like a hair salon or dance studio, said Arthur “Butch” Hutcherson, developer of the project.

Hutcherson, who lives in Nashville, Tenn., but is from Louisville, said one of the two smaller buildings could feature a “fast casual” restaurant like a Mexican or Chinese restaurant or a Dunkin' Donuts.

He said the development will be more upscale than a typical convenience store. The design is meant to be reminiscent of a Kentucky horse farm, he said. A white split rail fence will wrap around the property. The fence columns will be made of Kentucky limestone, he said.

“It's going to be very attractive,” he said. “We don't do junk.”

Hutcherson said the location is a good one because the area is fast growing but has few services. He said residents will be able to shop there for basic necessities instead of having to drive as far as Bardstown or Taylorsville roads.

The project will require a change in zoning from residential to commercial. About 20 residents attended a neighborhood meeting about the proposal in late October, which is the first step in the change of zoning process.

Hutcherson said he intends to file full, formal plans to the Metro Department of Planning and Zoning after the turn of the new year. He said it would likely take four to six months to get approval. He said he hopes to begin construction by late next summer.

Michael Hill, a Metro planner and case manager of the project, said he hasn't received any comments yet from residents about the proposal.

Reporter Niki King can be reached at (502) 582-4248.