New subdivision construction standards across Kenton County could change Thursday when the Kenton County Planning Commission (KCPC) votes on 14 proposed amendments to its subdivision regulations.
The amendments, filed as PC-26-0009-TX, cover concrete testing, pipe depth, asphalt specs and other infrastructure rules. The rules govern how new streets, sidewalks and drainage systems are built in subdivisions across the county, including in Fort Mitchell, Crestview Hills, Edgewood, Villa Hills, Crescent Springs, Lakeside Park and Fort Wright.
Steven J. Neltner, director of infrastructure engineering at Planning and Development Services of Kenton County (PDS), authored the staff memo recommending the changes.
The Subdivision Regulations Committee worked with PDS through spring and summer 2026 to develop the package. Neltner told commissioners at the Aug. 6 hearing that field inspectors and internal discussions drove the proposed changes.
What the amendments change
The 14 amendments touch 10 sections of the county's subdivision regulations, spanning Chapter 4 (Public and Private Infrastructure), Chapter 6 (Geotechnical Exploration and Earthwork) and Appendix A (Standard Construction Drawings).
Key changes include:
- Concrete testing: Developers would need to produce five test cylinders per day's pour instead of three, tested at 7 days, 28 days and held in reserve. The new standard aligns with ACI 318/ASTM C172 requirements and applies to both street pavement and curb-and-gutter work.
- Cold-weather rules: Existing cold-weather concrete guidelines would move from the street pavement section to general requirements, extending them to curb, gutter and sidewalk pours.
- Pipe cover depth: A new minimum three-foot cover depth for pipes installed under public streets. No minimum existed before.
- Proofroll trucks: The current dual-axle dump truck standard for soil stability testing would be replaced with a tri-axle dump truck carrying at least 18 tons.
- Asphalt specs: Base asphalt thickness narrows from 3–5 inches to 3–4.5 inches, and the non-tracking tack coat rate rises from 0.05 to 0.08 gallons per square yard. Both align with current Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) standards. Tack coat application would also require a minimum road temperature of 40°F.
- Drainage improvements: Non-woven geotextile fabric would be added between stone and backfill in deep trenches, and sand bedding would be added around edge drains in concrete street details.
Public hearing details
The KCPC meets Thursday, Sept. 3, at 6:15 p.m. ET at the Kenton County Government Center, 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Covington, on the second floor in the Fiscal Court Kenton Chambers. The Sept. 3 agenda also includes text amendments from the cities of Elsmere and Ludlow.
The commission's next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1, at 6:15 p.m.
