Presbyterian seminary selling land for 70+ new homes by Cherokee Park

Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary is selling approximately 25.5 acres of its property next to Cherokee Park for $13.4 million, and more than 70 new homes could go in as part of the sale, according to online listings.

A planned subdivision at 1044 Alta Vista Road would include 78 lots for single-family homes, many of which would offer “amazing views of Cherokee Park,” according to a listing on realtor.com. 

But some residents who live near the seminary and frequent Cherokee Park said they are concerned a new subdivision would hurt the natural beauty of the area.

The lots would range from 6,250 square feet to 15,000 square feet, according to the listing.

A second development option involves 72 lots between 6,250 square feet and 40,000 square feet.

The real estate listing for the land that is currently owned by Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary was first posted Friday, according to realtor.com.

Chris Wooton, communications director for Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, told the Courier Journal in an email that the seminary's board of trustees recently approved the listing of the 25.5 acres that are on the southern and eastern edges of the campus.

"This parcel includes our outdated housing units, as well as space on the campus that does not contribute to seminary education, but the maintenance of which has pulled focus and resources away from our mission," Wooton said. 

Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary owns approximately 52 acres of land as part of its campus, according to city data.

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The seminary, which was founded in Louisville in 1893 and has about 200 students today, has been located on Alta Vista Road in the Cherokee Seneca neighborhood since 1963.

Kyle Noltemeyer, president of the Alta Vista Neighborhood Association, said the proposed subdivision is concerning to many of his neighbors and "will change the entire look and feel of the neighborhood and area."

Noltemeyer said he had already received dozens of emails as of Saturday morning from neighbors unhappy with the proposal.

"It would just do harm to the whole area, and it's going to be very upsetting to everyone who uses (Cherokee Park)," Noltemeyer said. "No one was told about this, and no neighbors were involved in the process. That's kind of an absurd way to do business."

Seminary officials will meet with Noltemeyer this upcoming week to discuss any concerns about the proposal, Wooton said.

Dominic Gratto, a Louisville resident, said he frequents Cherokee Park and thinks the land near the park turning into more single-family homes is "grossly inappropriate for that area."

"Part of the beauty of Cherokee Park is that it is an oasis within the city. You can spend time in it and feel like you're miles away from everything," Gratto said. "The last thing people who love the park want is to be on a Saturday afternoon hike and look up and see a new housing development looking down on them."

Gratto said the seminary has a right to sell the property, adding the sale would likely "bring some serious cash" to the seminary as well as developers and real estate agents.

But Gratto said he thinks the sale "would not be good for the city, the park or for the people that spend time in that area."

"Cities must grow and develop," Gratto said. "There is a time and place for that, but this isn't the time and place."

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Metro Councilman Brandon Coan, whose 8th District includes the seminary's property, said seminary officials contacted him several weeks ago about the land sale but did not share how many lots or acres would be included in the sale.

Whatever ends up getting built, Coan said he views the new development as an opportunity to improve Alta Vista Road and sidewalks in the neighborhood, and he trusts the seminary will also listen to neighbors' concerns.

"I trust the seminary to go about this in the right way," Coan said.

Wooton said the seminary understands "the concerns that our neighbors may have about the land sale" and officials will be "selective in reviewing potential purchasers."

Wooton added that seminary officials are including provisions in the sale that would prevent a zoning change from the current single-family residential designation.

"It is vital to Louisville Seminary that what ultimately happens with this parcel be compatible with our campus and our mission, as we will be the closest neighbor," Wooton said.

Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com or 502-582-7030.