Planning Commission Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission convened on August 13, 2009, at 1:33 PM in the Council Chambers of the Urban County Government Building, located at 200 East Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky. The meeting was presided over by Carolyn Richardson and covered 8 agenda items ranging from routine administrative matters to substantive land use decisions. Over the course of the meeting, commissioners took 15 votes and heard 3 public comments.

The agenda addressed a broad range of planning matters, including land subdivision items, development plans, minor plans, performance bond letters of credit, and a subdivision regulation text amendment. All items brought to a vote were approved, reflecting a productive session with no failed motions or tabled items. The meeting also included the approval of minutes and consideration of postponements or withdrawals.

Attendance

The following members were present at the August 13, 2009 Commission meeting:

• Carolyn Richardson
• Joan Whitman
• Mike Owens
• Lynn Roche-Phillips *(arrived late)*
• Mike Cravens
• Marie Copeland
• Patrick Brewer

Absent: - Frank Penn - Ed Holmes

Seven of the nine commissioners attended the meeting. Lynn Roche-Phillips was present but arrived late. Frank Penn and Ed Holmes were the only members not in attendance.

Votes and Decisions

All votes were taken by voice. The Commission began the meeting with six members present; a seventh member, Lynn Roche-Phillips, joined before later agenda items.

• Minutes – Mike Owens moved, Joan Whitman seconded, to approve the minutes from July 9, 2009. Passed 6–0. 9:48

• PLAN 2008-76F – Bogie Estate, Lot 1 – Mike Cravens moved, Joan Whitman seconded, to postpone to September 10, 2009. Passed 6–0. 10:54

• DP 2009-34 – Beaumont Farm, Unit 1, Section 1 – Patrick Brewer moved, Joan Whitman seconded, to postpone to September 10, 2009. Passed 6–0. 11:29

• PLAN 2009-72F – Lansdowne-Merrick Subdivision, Unit 3-A – Mike Owens moved, Joan Whitman seconded, to postpone to September 10, 2009. Passed 6–0. 13:09

• PLAN 2009-74F – Harold R. Black Property – Marie Copeland moved, Joan Whitman seconded, to postpone to September 10, 2009. Passed 6–0. 14:09

• DP 2009-27 – Ramsey/Sullivan Property – Mike Cravens moved, Joan Whitman seconded, to postpone indefinitely. Passed 6–0. 14:42

• PLAN 2009-39F – Ramsey/Sullivan Property, Unit 3, Section 2, Lots 33–45 – Mike Owens moved, Joan Whitman seconded, to approve with the condition that item 23 be changed to resolved. Passed 7–0. 38:29

• DP 2009-45 – Ramsey/Sullivan (Kearney Hall), Unit 3, Section 2, Lots 1–44 – Mike Cravens moved, Joan Whitman seconded, to approve per the revised staff recommendation on the blue sheet. Passed 7–0. 39:02

• PLAN 2009-69F – Rich Station Subdivision Amended – Mike Owens moved, Joan Whitman seconded, to approve including approval of the associated waiver. Passed 7–0. 44:47

• PLAN 2009-83F – Marshall Property, Unit 2-J – Mike Owens moved, Joan Whitman seconded, to approve with findings listed on the white page. Passed 7–0. 1:00:25

• PLAN 2009-87F – Mayhan Property, Lot 1 Amended – Mike Owens moved, Joan Whitman seconded, to approve. Passed 7–0. 1:24:36

• DP 2009-51 – Angliana Avenue Adaptive Reuse/Showprop Lexington – Mike Owens moved, Joan Whitman seconded, to approve with seven staff-recommended conditions, deleting conditions eight, nine, and ten. Passed 7–0. 2:20:59

• PLAN 2009-90PA and PLAN 2009-91PA – Clark Property (Railroad R-O-W) – Mike Owens moved, Joan Whitman seconded, to approve both items with the requested waiver. Passed 7–0. 2:26:38

• Release and Call of Bonds dated August 13 – Mike Owens moved, Joan Whitman seconded, to approve. Passed 7–0. 2:27:11

• Subdivision Regulation Text Amendment – Mike Owens moved, Joan Whitman seconded, to initiate a subdivision regulation text amendment. Passed 7–0. 2:29:20

Public Comment

Three speakers addressed the Commission during the public comment period, all offering support for project DP2009-51.

• Knox Van Nagel, representing the Fayette Alliance, spoke in favor of DP2009-51, describing the project's potential to transform what he characterized as a tired industrial corridor into a dynamic urban space. He also highlighted the project's capacity to strengthen the relationship between the University of Kentucky and the broader city. 2:09:13

• Harold Tate, representing the Downtown Development Authority, also expressed support for DP2009-51. Tate noted that the developer, Mr. Krikorian, has had a longstanding interest in developing in Lexington and indicated that the project would bring added excitement to downtown. 2:11:16

• John Sterling, a local landowner, spoke in support of the project as well, stating that it would be well-received by students and applauding the developer's overall vision for the site. 2:11:53

No speakers appeared in opposition to DP2009-51, and no other topics were raised during the public comment period.

Call to Order

0:00

The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Carolyn Richardson at 1:33 PM.

Approval of Minutes

9:48

The Commission took up Agenda Item II, the approval of minutes from the previous meeting. The minutes from the July 9, 2009 meeting were brought before the Commission for review and approval. Key speakers on this item were Mike Owens and Joan Whitman. The minutes were approved.

Postponements or Withdrawals

10:22

Under Agenda Item III, the Commission addressed several postponements to the September 10, 2009 meeting. Key speakers during this portion of the meeting included Rory Kahly and Carolyn Richardson.

The following plans were postponed to the September 10, 2009 meeting:

• Bogie Estate
• Beaumont Farm
• Lansdowne-Merrick Subdivision
• Harold R. Black Property
• Ramsey/Sullivan Property

The postponements were approved by the Commission.

Land Subdivision Items

22:45

The Commission took up Agenda Item IV, covering several Land Subdivision Items. Key speakers during this portion of the meeting included Tom Martin and Chris Taylor.

The following subdivision plans were discussed:

• Ramsey/Sullivan Property
• Rich Station Subdivision
• Marshall Property
• Mayhan Property

The structured agenda item indicates these matters were presented and deliberated upon by the Commission, with Martin and Taylor playing central roles in the discussion. The specific details of each subdivision — including parcel sizes, locations, proposed lot configurations, and any conditions attached — are not captured in the available data for this item.

All Land Subdivision Items under Agenda Item IV were approved by the Commission.

*Note: The source materials for this item do not include a detailed breakdown of the individual arguments, concerns, or conditions raised for each property during deliberation. Readers seeking the full discussion are encouraged to consult the meeting transcript or video beginning at timestamp 22:45.*

Development Plans

1:30:43

The Commission took up Agenda Item V, a discussion of development plans related to the Angliana Avenue Adaptive Reuse/Showprop Lexington project. Key speakers during this portion of the meeting were Jimmy Edmonds and Chris Westover.

The item was brought before the Commission for review and consideration. Following the discussion, the Commission approved the development plans as presented.

*Note: The available record identifies the project, speakers, and outcome but does not include a detailed breakdown of the specific points presented, arguments made, or concerns raised during the discussion. Readers seeking the full substance of the exchange are encouraged to consult the meeting video beginning at timestamp 1:30:43.*

Minor Plans

2:22:37

The Commission took up Agenda Item VI, Minor Plans, which concerned the Clark Property (Railroad R-O-W). Key speakers during this portion of the meeting were Tom Martin and Dick Murphy.

The minor plans for the Clark Property were presented and discussed by the Commission. Following the discussion, the Commission approved the minor plans, granting a waiver in connection with the application.

*Note: The source materials for this meeting do not provide additional detail regarding the specific contents of the presentation, the nature of the waiver granted, or any particular concerns raised during deliberation. Readers seeking further detail are encouraged to consult the full meeting transcript or recording at the timestamp noted above.*

Performance Bond Letters of Credit

2:27:11

The Commission took up Agenda Item VII, concerning Performance Bond Letters of Credit. Ron St. Clair and Chris King were the key speakers on this item.

The matter before the Commission involved the release and call of bonds dated August 13th. The item was presented for Commission approval, and no significant debate or concerns are noted from the discussion.

The Commission approved the release and call of the performance bond letters of credit as presented.

Subdivision Regulation Text Amendment

2:28:17

The Commission took up Agenda Item VIII, a discussion regarding a proposed text amendment to the subdivision regulations. Chris King presented the item, which centered on initiating a subdivision regulation text amendment designed to support green infrastructure and low impact development.

The amendment was brought forward as a measure to align subdivision regulations with principles of environmentally sensitive land development, encouraging practices that reduce stormwater runoff, preserve natural systems, and integrate sustainable design into the subdivision process.

Following the presentation and discussion, the Commission approved the initiation of the subdivision regulation text amendment.