Planning Commission Zoning Public Hearing

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission met on January 27, 2011, at 1:34 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 2nd Floor LFUCG Government Center, located at 200 East Main Street in Lexington, Kentucky. Carolyn Richardson presided over the meeting, which included four agenda items, six motions and votes, and two public comments.

The Commission addressed two zoning map amendments and development plans that were postponed for further consideration: the Iota Nu House Corporation of Alpha Phi International Fraternity, Inc. amendment regarding Lyndhurst Place Block C, Lots 4 & 5, and the SCW Newtown, LLC amendment along with the A-1 Sanitation Service, Inc. & Edster Property zoning development plan. The Commission approved two items: the WML Properties, LLC zoning map amendment and South Hill Garden zoning development plan, and the Fayette County Public School Mary Todd Elementary public facility review.

Attendance

Present: Carla Blanton, Marie Copeland, Mike Cravens, Ed Holmes, Mike Owens, Carolyn Richardson, Lynn Roche-Phillips, William Wilson

Absent: Eunice Beatty, Patrick Brewer, Derek Paulsen

Late: None reported

Votes and Decisions

Postponements

Two items were postponed to February 24, 2011 by voice vote:

• MARC 2010-14 and ZDP 2010-80, postponed on motion by Ed Holmes, seconded by Mike Cravens 23:54
• MAR 2011-1 and ZDP 2011-3, postponed on motion by Mike Owens, seconded by Mike Cravens 24:32

Zoning Map Amendment and Variances

MARV 2011-2 – Zoning map amendment from R1T to R3 for property at 412 South Mill Street passed 8-0 by roll call vote 1:18:31. All eight members voted in favor: Carla Blanton, Marie Copeland, Mike Cravens, Ed Holmes, Mike Owens, Carolyn Richardson, Lynn Roche-Phillips, and William Wilson. Approval was subject to conditional zoning restrictions limiting development to single-family detached homes, duplexes, or up to six townhouses, and approval of the development plan and variances. Motion by Mike Owens, seconded by Mike Cravens.

MARV 2011-2 – Approval of dimensional variances reducing front yard setback from 20 feet to 5 feet and increasing driveway width from 10 feet to 20 feet passed 8-0 by roll call vote 1:19:08. All eight members voted in favor. Approval was subject to five reasons and three conditions listed in the staff report. Motion by Mike Owens, seconded by Mike Cravens.

Development Plan

ZDP 2011-2 – Approval of South Hill Garden amended development plan passed 8-0 by roll call vote 1:19:42. All eight members voted in favor. Approval was subject to 14 conditions, including denoting conditional zoning restrictions. Motion by Mike Owens, seconded by Mike Cravens.

Public Facility Review

PFR 2011-1 – Public facility review for Mary Todd Elementary renovation and expansion passed 8-0 by roll call vote 1:33:39. All eight members voted in favor. Approval was subject to obtaining permits from Building Inspection and submitting storm drainage and retention plan to Engineering. Motion by Lynn Roche-Phillips, seconded by Mike Cravens.

Public Comment

Two speakers addressed the board during the public comment period.

Marie Copeland 1:00:34 spoke on pedestrian access and open space. She presented a series of photographs to illustrate how open side yards and views into private spaces enhance the streetscape and prevent a "spatial tunnel" effect. Copeland advocated for pedestrian viewing access to the open space in exchange for the variance being considered.

Bill Lear 1:11:26 addressed zoning quirks and design intent. He defended the need for the variance, noting that the zoning ordinance treats single-family homes and townhomes differently despite their similar scale. Lear emphasized that the proposed development respects historic character and includes open spaces that are viewable from the street.

Contested Items

Pedestrian Access and Open Space in Historic District

A heated discussion emerged regarding the design requirements for pedestrian access and open space within the historic district. The primary point of contention centered on a proposed 5-foot front yard setback and its effects on the streetscape experience.

One speaker raised concerns that the setback would create a "spatial tunnel" effect, arguing this would negatively impact the pedestrian environment. This speaker advocated for pedestrian viewing access to the open side yard as a means of preserving the character and usability of the public realm in the historic district.

In response, the developer emphasized the importance of design control by the Board of Architectural Review, positioning this oversight as the appropriate mechanism for evaluating and approving the proposed design approach.

The discussion reflected a fundamental disagreement about how to balance development requirements with historic preservation and pedestrian experience goals in the district.

IOTA NU HOUSE CORPORATION OF ALPHA PHI INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY, INC. (AMD.), ZONING MAP AMENDMENT & LYNDHURST PLACE BLOCK C, LOTS 4 & 5 ZONING DEVELOPMENT PLAN

22:50

The Planning Commission considered a request to rezone property from R-4 to R-5 and approve a development plan for Lyndhurst Place Block C, Lots 4 & 5. The proposal involved a sorority house for the Iota Nu House Corporation of Alpha Phi International Fraternity, Inc.

Staff Recommendation

Staff recommended disapproval of the rezoning request, citing inconsistency with the Comprehensive Plan and the Downtown Master Plan (DTMP). However, staff indicated approval of a conditional use permit for a sorority house would be appropriate if the property were rezoned to R-5.

Outcome

The Planning Commission postponed the request. The postponement was granted at the petitioner's request to allow time to explore alternative locations for the proposed sorority house.

SCW NEWTOWN, LLC, ZONING MAP AMENDMENT & A-1 SANITATION SERVICE, INC. & EDSTER PROPERTY ZONING DEVELOPMENT PLAN

24:32

The Commission considered a zoning map amendment and related development plan for properties involving SCW Newtown, LLC and A-1 Sanitation Service, Inc., along with the Edster property. The proposal sought to change the zoning classification from B-3 to B-4.

Mark Reinhardt presented the matter to the Commission. Staff recommended approval of the zone change with conditional zoning restrictions designed to mitigate potential impacts on nearby residential areas.

The Commission identified concerns regarding buffering between the proposed development and adjacent residential properties, as well as questions about access to mobile homes on the site. These issues were significant enough that the Commission determined additional time was needed for the petitioner to address them adequately.

Outcome: The Commission postponed the zoning map amendment and development plan to allow the petitioner an opportunity to revise the proposal and respond to the concerns raised, particularly regarding buffering measures and mobile home access arrangements.

WML PROPERTIES, LLC, ZONING MAP AMENDMENT & SOUTH HILL GARDEN ZONING DEVELOPMENT

26:02

The Commission considered a zoning map amendment and development plan for WML Properties, LLC involving the South Hill Garden project. The proposal included rezoning from R1T to R3 and dimensional variances for front yard and driveway requirements.

Key Speakers and Presentation

Traci Wade, Jimmy Emmons, Rena Wiseman, and Bill Lear participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

Project Details

The rezoning request sought to change the property classification from R1T to R3 zoning. The applicant also requested dimensional variances for: - Front yard setback - Driveway specifications

Staff and Petitioner Position

Staff and the petitioner emphasized that the proposal aligned with the Comprehensive Plan and complied with historic district guidelines. The Board of Architectural Review was identified as the entity responsible for overseeing design details to ensure consistency with historic district standards.

Outcome

The Commission approved the rezoning from R1T to R3, the requested dimensional variances for front yard and driveway, and the development plan.

Fayette County Public School, Mary Todd Elementary - Public Facility Review

1:21:26

The Commission reviewed and approved the public facility review for Mary Todd Elementary's renovation and expansion project.

Project Overview

The project includes renovation and expansion of the school facility, with planned improvements for stormwater detention and energy efficiency upgrades. The school has set a goal to become a world-class facility by 2020.

Key Presenters

The review was presented by Traci Wade, Tim Murphy, and Jihad Halani.

Compliance and Approval

The Commission noted that the project complies with the Comprehensive Plan. Based on this compliance and the project's alignment with the school's strategic goals, the Commission approved the public facility review.

Outcome

The public facility review for Mary Todd Elementary was approved.