2026 Proposed Zoning Updates | PDF Download

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Downtown Ordinances

Downtown Zoning Updates Proposal

Pikeville is proposing important updates to downtown zoning regulations aimed at encouraging smart redevelopment, increasing housing options, and preserving the unique historic character of our city center. These changes will make it easier for property owners and developers to invest in downtown, bringing new life to underused buildings while maintaining Pikeville’s charm.

Below are key documents related to this proposal for your review:

📧 Questions? robbi.bentley@pikevilleky.gov

Introducing the Downtown Zoning Updates

🏙️ Pikeville is taking steps to make downtown work better for everyone—residents, businesses, and developers alike. The City is proposing updates to zoning rules in the Central Business District (C-3 Zone) to help revitalize our historic core and encourage more investment, housing, and vibrancy downtown.

Key benefits include:

  • ✅ Make it easier to renovate and reuse older buildings
  • ✅ Encourage upper-floor apartments and responsible ground-floor housing
  • ✅ Ensure new development fits the look and feel of downtown
  • ✅ Eliminate outdated parking requirements that hinder growth

🗓️ The proposal is being submitted for review by the Pike County–Pikeville–Elkhorn City Joint Planning Commission.

Design That Fits Pikeville’s Character

🧱 As we grow downtown, we’re making sure every new building and renovation fits the character and charm that make Pikeville special.

Proposed design updates encourage:

  • ✔️ Durable materials like brick, stone, and glass
  • ✔️ Classic architectural features that match our historic core
  • ✔️ Flexible options that allow for creativity—while keeping quality

These updates help preserve what makes downtown beautiful and unique while giving builders a clear, predictable path forward.

✅ Whether you’re updating a storefront or planning a new development, the process will be easier—and the results will keep Pikeville looking its best.

📍 Applies to the C-3 Zone (downtown Pikeville)

More Housing Opportunities Downtown

🏢 We’ve heard the need: Pikeville needs more housing. And we believe downtown can be part of the solution.

Key zoning updates will:

  • 🛏️ Allow residential units on upper floors of downtown buildings
  • 🚪 Permit ground-floor housing in the rear (with conditional use approval)
  • 🏪 Keep the front of the ground floor reserved for active businesses—like shops, restaurants, or offices—to maintain our walkable, lively streetscape

This balance helps bring life to underused upper floors and encourages adaptive reuse—without sacrificing the energy of our business district.

Benefits of more downtown residents:

  • ✔️ More foot traffic for local businesses
  • ✔️ Safer, more vibrant streets
  • ✔️ Smart use of existing buildings

Why We’re Removing Downtown Parking Requirements

🚗 We are not removing parking—we’re removing outdated rules that require every building to have its own off-street parking.

Downtown Pikeville already has:

  • ✔️ A free parking garage
  • ✔️ On-street parking with active enforcement
  • ✔️ Multiple public surface lots throughout the downtown area

But older downtown buildings were built before cars—and some simply don’t have room for parking.

🧱 Requiring off-street parking for every use can make it impossible to redevelop some buildings, especially for housing.

That’s why the proposal eliminates minimum parking requirements in the downtown zone, allowing the market and available public parking to work better for everyone.

✅ Easier redevelopment
✅ Smarter use of historic buildings
✅ No reduction in public parking availability

Map of Downtown Zoning Updates