Council Planning & Public Works Committee

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Planning & Public Works Committee met on September 13, 2011, at 1:00 p.m., with Farmer presiding as Chair. The committee addressed four agenda items during the session, hearing seven public comments and taking one vote. Two items were presented for informational purposes: an update on the Downtown 2-Way Street Study regarding downtown traffic management and revitalization efforts, and an update on the Planning Commissioner position. Two additional items were deferred for future consideration: the Comprehensive Plan Goals & Objectives Update, which included a summary of public comments and the latest draft, and Items Referred to Committee.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on September 13, 2011:

• Farmer, Chair
• Ellinger, Vice Chair
• Gorton
• Kay
• Ford
• Blues
• Lawless
• Beard
• Martin
• Henson
• Corden
• Larson

No members were absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

The committee took one action during the meeting.

Motion to Remove Rear Yard Parking Residential Areas from Committee Referral List 1:05:42

Henson moved to remove rear yard parking residential areas from the committee referral list. Gorton seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote with no recorded objections or abstentions.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting approved funding for a Downtown Traffic Management and Revitalization Study, commonly referred to as the Downtown 2-Way Street Study. A grant in the amount of $465,000 was allocated for this project under Resolution 0073-26.

Public Comment

The meeting included comments from both community representatives and council members addressing economic development, land use, and downtown planning.

Economic Development and Land Use

Bob Quick from Commerce Lexington spoke at 1:18:48 about the need for more available industrial land and flexibility in zoning to attract large-scale job creators. He noted that Lexington faces a competitive disadvantage due to limited usable land within the urban service boundary.

Knox Van Noggle of the Fayette Alliance addressed 1:23:06 farmland preservation and rural stewardship, advocating for stronger language in the goals and objectives to protect farmland, affirm the Rural Land Management Plan, and recognize the economic importance of the equine and agricultural industries.

Downtown Development and Infrastructure

Council Member Beard spoke at 1:01:45 about retail and parking challenges in downtown, arguing that retail decline was due to mall competition rather than street configuration, and stressed that parking is the critical issue for downtown viability.

Council Member Martin raised concerns at 1:50:35 about traffic management and downtown livability, specifically addressing traffic congestion, loading and unloading logistics, and the need for underground parking. He suggested that two-way streets must be paired with broader infrastructure improvements.

Council Member Kay shared observations at 1:58:17 from a visit to Greenville, South Carolina, highlighting a successful two-way street with on-street parking and pedestrian-friendly design as a potential model for Lexington.

Council Member Blues commented at 1:53:19 on balancing downtown goals and street design, emphasizing that the debate over two-way streets is secondary to the broader goal of creating a vibrant, economically and residentially desirable downtown.

Road Funding

County Judge Executive Larson attended at 1:15:49 to observe the committee's discussion on repaving and paving warranties, noting that fiscal court handles substandard road funding from state gasoline tax.

Appointments

Mr. Emmons was appointed to serve as Planning Commissioner.

Contested Items

Downtown Two-Way Streets

The proposal to convert downtown streets to two-way traffic generated heated discussion among meeting participants. Opinions were sharply divided on the merits of the conversion. Opponents raised concerns about potential traffic congestion, impacts on parking availability, and effects on the local economy. Supporters of the proposal argued passionately that two-way streets would improve walkability in the downtown area and enhance retail vitality. The discussion reflected fundamental disagreements about how to balance traffic management with urban livability and economic development goals.

Farmland Preservation vs. Urban Expansion

A split vote occurred over the appropriate emphasis on farmland preservation relative to urban expansion. Stakeholders disagreed on how much weight should be given to rural stewardship in the meeting's goals and objectives. Some participants argued that the draft proposal downplayed the importance of the Rural Land Management Plan, contending that farmland preservation deserved greater priority. Others apparently favored a different balance between rural conservation and urban development. This disagreement reflected competing visions for land use policy and the relative importance of protecting agricultural areas versus accommodating growth in developed areas.

Comprehensive Plan Goals & Objectives Update: Summary of Public Comments & Latest Draft

0:00

The committee reviewed the status of the 2012 Comprehensive Plan goals and objectives during this discussion item. Staff reported that the Planning Commission is preparing for a work session to finalize the draft before forwarding it to the City Council.

Key Speakers and Presentations

Chris King, Knox Van Noggle, and Bob Quick participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

Issues and Concerns

Stakeholders emphasized the need for balanced language within the plan that addresses three competing priorities:

• Protection of farmland
• Support for economic development
• Addressing demographic shifts

Outcome

The item was deferred, indicating that further work or discussion is needed before the plan moves forward to the next stage of review.

Downtown Traffic Management & Revitalization Study Update - "Downtown 2-Way Street Study"

The committee received an informational update on the Downtown 2-Way Street Study, presented by Chris King. 37:44

Project Overview

The study will be funded by a $465,000 grant and will assess the feasibility of converting one-way streets to two-way traffic in the downtown area. The study scope includes traffic modeling, cost estimates for necessary infrastructure changes, and collection of public input on the proposed conversions.

Key Speakers and Discussion

Chris King led the presentation, with participation from Council Members Beard, Martin, and Kay, who raised questions and concerns during the discussion.

Concerns Raised

Council members expressed several concerns about the proposed study and potential conversions:

• Traffic flow impacts from converting one-way streets to two-way operations
• Parking availability and how conversions would affect downtown parking
• Integration of the 2-way street study with other ongoing downtown revitalization initiatives

Outcome

The agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action taken. The committee received the update on the Downtown 2-Way Street Study and the planned approach to evaluating the feasibility of converting downtown one-way streets to two-way traffic.

Update on Planning Commissioner Position

The committee received an informational update on the hiring process for a full-time Planning Commissioner position 1:03:30.

Presentation and Status

Mr. Emmons provided details on the recruitment efforts for this administrative role. The mayor is leading the hiring process, and the position has been placed on the council docket for approval. The Planning Commissioner role is expected to serve as a key administrative appointment under the new administration.

Outcome

This agenda item was presented for informational purposes, with no formal action taken at this time.

Items Referred to Committee

1:05:42

The committee reviewed the referral list during this agenda item. Key speakers included Henson, Gorton, Blues, Corden, and Martin.

The committee took action on two items from the referral list:

• Rear yard parking: A motion to remove rear yard parking from the list passed.
• Fencing issue: The committee voted to retain the fencing issue for further work.

The committee also discussed potential partnerships regarding Valley View Ferry, specifically exploring collaborative opportunities with Fayette County Schools and Madison/Jessamine Counties.

The outcome of this agenda item was deferred, indicating that further action or discussion on these matters will be scheduled for a future meeting.