John Knox Church Wins Split Rezoning for Missionary Housing and Future Retail on Westport Road

Louisville's Planning Commission moved through a brisk five-case docket on March 19, unanimously advancing every rezoning request — but saved the most complex debate for last, when a 4.5-acre church property on Westport Road drew pointed questions about setbacks and a procedural correction that forced the applicant to withdraw two variances on the spot.

• John Knox Presbyterian Church secures split OR/CN rezoning for a six-unit missionary housing building and future retail on 4.5 acres at Westport Road — but must return with detailed plans for commercial lots after staff flagged premature variance requests

• St. Matthews carriage house legalized after couple discovers they bought a property with an illegal second unit advertised as a $1,800/month rental apartment

• Logan Street lot rezoned commercial, continuing a block-wide shift toward C-2 near Logan Street Market

• Historic 860 Vine Street grocery building rezoned to commercial-residential after three decades of dormancy, with restrictions barring liquor stores and bars

• Webb's Market expansion approved on Muhammad Ali Blvd, extending an existing corner deli into an adjacent building

Why it matters: John Knox Presbyterian Church is transforming underused acreage at 9104 Westport Road into a mix of housing and neighborhood retail — a model that could shape how other large institutional landowners along Louisville's suburban corridors think about surplus property.