Planning Commission Zoning Public Hearing

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission met on June 27, 2013, at 1:34 PM in the Council Chamber, 2nd Floor LFUCG Government Center, located at 200 East Main Street in Lexington, Kentucky. Mike Owens presided over the meeting. The Commission considered two agenda items and took four votes during the session. The Commission heard three public comments and approved both items on the agenda: a proposal regarding Hospice Facilities in the ED Zone and a proposal concerning Mobile Food Unit Vendors as Accessory Uses.

Attendance

Present: - Eunice Beatty - Will Berkley - Carla Blanton - Mike Cravens - Karen Mundy - Mike Owens - Frank Penn - Carolyn Plumlee - Bill Wilson

Absent: - Patrick Brewer - Lynn Roche-Phillips

Late: None reported

Votes and Decisions

Approval of Minutes from May 23, 2013 8:06

Motion by Mike Cravens, seconded by Carolyn Plumlee. The minutes were approved unanimously with 9 ayes and 0 nays.

MARV 2013-11: Zone Change Request for 562 Short Street, LLC 27:26

Motion by Carla Blanton, seconded by Karen Mundy. The zone change request passed unanimously with 9 ayes and 0 nays. The approval is subject to conditional zoning restrictions as recommended by staff.

MARV 2013-7: Zone Change Request for Bayer Properties, LLC 3:34:25

Motion by Carla Blanton, seconded by Karen Mundy. The zone change request passed by roll call vote with 9 ayes and 0 nays. The approval is subject to certification of the zoning development plan and conditional zoning restriction.

Voting in favor: Eunice Beatty, Will Berkley, Carla Blanton, Mike Cravens, Karen Mundy, Mike Owens, Frank Penn, Carolyn Plumlee, and Bill Wilson.

MARC 2013-8: Zone Change Request for MMA Management, LLC 6:55:49

Motion by Bill Wilson, seconded by Mike Cravens. The zone change request failed by roll call vote with 4 ayes and 5 nays.

Voting in favor: Eunice Beatty, Will Berkley, Carla Blanton, and Bill Wilson.

Voting against: Mike Cravens, Karen Mundy, Mike Owens, Frank Penn, and Carolyn Plumlee.

Public Comment

Three speakers provided public comment during the meeting.

Bill Johnston 10:49 Bill Johnston, president of the Western Suburb Neighborhood Association, spoke in support of the zone change request for 562 Short Street, LLC. He conditioned his support on restrictions being placed on bars and restaurants.

Hank Grady 2:19:25 Hank Grady, representing neighborhood associations, addressed the zone change request for Bayer Properties, LLC. He expressed concerns about traffic and density impacts and urged the commission to either deny the application or request modifications to the proposal.

Chris Westover 5:19:25 Chris Westover, representing the High Point Neighborhood Association, spoke against the zone change request for MMA Management, LLC. He argued that the proposed zone change was inconsistent with the comprehensive plan and raised concerns about potential negative impacts.

Appointments

Carla Blanton was appointed to serve as Secretary of the Planning Commission.

Contested Items

Zone Change Request for MMA Management, LLC

A zone change request for MMA Management, LLC resulted in a split vote among commission members. The motion for the zone change failed with a vote of 5-4, indicating significant disagreement about whether the requested zoning change should be approved.

The close vote reflects a division within the commission, with nearly half of the members supporting the zone change and the other half opposing it. The failure of the motion means the zone change request was not granted.

Hospice Facilities in the ED Zone

This agenda item (ZOTA 2013-2) addressed a text amendment to define hospice facilities, add them as a permitted use in the economic development zone, and establish parking regulations for such facilities. 7:04:28

Key Speakers and Presentation

Tracy Wade and Dick Murphy were the primary speakers on this matter.

Content of the Amendment

The proposed ordinance included three main components:

• A definition of hospice facilities
• Authorization to permit hospice facilities as a use within the economic development zone
• Establishment of parking regulations specific to hospice facilities

Outcome

The amendment was approved.

Mobile Food Unit Vendors as Accessory Uses

The meeting addressed a text amendment (ZOTA 2013-3) to allow mobile food unit vendors to operate as accessory uses in warehouse business, industrial, and economic development zones.

Tracy Wade presented this ordinance proposal. The amendment would permit mobile food unit vendors to function as accessory uses within specified zoning districts, expanding food service options in these commercial and industrial areas.

The proposal was approved by the body.