Planning Commission Zoning Public Hearing

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission met on May 22, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 2nd Floor LFUCG Government Center, located at 200 East Main Street in Lexington, Kentucky. Chairman Owens presided over the meeting, which included consideration of four agenda items. The Commission took eight votes during the session and heard three public comments. All four agenda items were approved, including a zoning map amendment and zoning development plan for the Little Beginners Child Development Center; a zoning map amendment and zoning development plan for RML Construction, LLP, related to Cadentown Subdivision, Lot 10 (Brighton 3050); approval of PFR 2014-1 for the LFUCG Senior Citizens Center; and initiation of a text amendment regarding handicap ramps.

Attendance

Present: - Carla Blanton - Mike Cravens - David Drake - Mike Owens - Frank Penn - Carolyn Plumlee - Joseph Smith - William Wilson

Absent: - Will Berkley - Patrick Brewer - Karen Mundy

Late: - William Wilson

Votes and Decisions

The Planning Commission held eight votes on May 22, 2014, with all motions passing unanimously 7-0.

MARC 2014-9: Zone Map Amendment for Little Beginners Child Development Center [00:36:58] Ms. Blanton moved to approve the zone map amendment from R-1B to R-3 for Little Beginners Child Development Center, seconded by Ms. Plumlee. All seven members voted in favor: Carla Blanton, Mike Cravens, David Drake, Mike Owens, Frank Penn, Carolyn Plumlee, and Joseph Smith.

Conditional Use Permit: Child Care Center [00:37:28] Ms. Blanton moved to approve the conditional use permit for a child care center at Little Beginners Child Development Center, seconded by Ms. Plumlee. The motion passed unanimously 7-0. The approval included eight conditions, including requirements that the property be rezoned R-3, that parking include a minimum of 14 spaces, that a fenced play area of at least 2,125 square feet be established, and that enrollment be limited to 85 children.

ZDP 2014-39: Zoning Development Plan for Little Beginners [00:37:58] Ms. Blanton moved to approve the Zoning Development Plan, seconded by Ms. Plumlee. The motion passed unanimously 7-0 with 18 conditions requiring approvals from various departments and plan modifications.

MARV 2014-10: Zone Map Amendment for RML Construction LLP [01:06:38] Mr. Drake moved to approve the zone map amendment from R-1D to R-4 and B-1 for RML Construction LLP, seconded by Mr. Cravens. The motion passed unanimously 7-0.

Landscape Variance for RML Construction LLP [01:07:16] Mr. Drake moved to approve requested landscape variances, seconded by Mr. Cravens. The motion passed unanimously 7-0 with four conditions.

ZDP 2014-40: Revised Zoning Development Plan for Cadentown Subdivision [01:08:17] Mr. Drake moved to approve the revised Zoning Development Plan for Cadentown Subdivision, Lot 10 (Brighton 3050), seconded by Mr. Cravens. The motion passed unanimously 7-0 with 17 conditions.

PFR 2014-1: Public Facility Review for Senior Citizens Center [01:26:11] Mr. Penn moved to approve the Public Facility Review for a new Senior Citizens Center at Idle Hour Park, seconded by Ms. Plumlee. The motion passed unanimously 7-0 with one condition regarding parking area screening.

Text Amendment Initiation: Article 15-5(a) [01:30:54] Mr. Drake moved to initiate a text amendment to Article 15-5(a) for handicap accessible ramps, seconded by Ms. Plumlee. The motion passed unanimously 7-0.

Public Comment

Three speakers provided public comment during the meeting on May 22, 2014.

Nathan Billings addressed infrastructure improvements along Stone Road 31:12. The petitioner expressed a desire to avoid the cost of constructing infrastructure improvements along Stone Road but acknowledged they would comply if required by the Commission.

Mr. Penn raised questions about security and the future use of the rear property 31:47. He inquired about security concerns for the vacant rear portion of the property. He was assured that the rear property would be fenced and used as a play area.

Rena Wiseman discussed parking and mixed-use development 1:04:25. The applicant explained that additional parking was included in the project to prevent conflict between residential and commercial users and to accommodate resident preferences.

Little Beginners Child Development Center Zoning Map Amendment & Zoning Development Plan

The Planning Commission considered a request to rezone a property from R-1B to R-3 zoning to permit the establishment of a child care center 15:07. The applicant also requested a conditional use permit and submitted a development plan containing 19 conditions.

Staff Recommendation and Analysis

Staff and the Zoning Committee recommended approval of the rezoning request. The recommendation was based on the determination that the proposed child care center would be compatible with surrounding uses and would provide a needed neighborhood service.

Key Speakers

The discussion involved several participants: - Traci Wade - Cheryl Gallt - Jimmy Emmons - Nathan Billings

Development Plan

The applicant submitted a comprehensive development plan that included 19 conditions to govern the operation and development of the child care center facility.

Outcome

The Planning Commission approved the zoning map amendment and zoning development plan request.

RML Construction, LLP, Zoning Map Amendment & Cadentown Subdivision, Lot 10 (Brighton 3050) Zoning Development Plan

The Commission reviewed a proposal by RML Construction, LLP to rezone a property and approve a mixed-use development plan. The project involved rezoning the property from R-1D to R-4 and B-1 zoning designations to accommodate an apartment building and retail space.

Presentation and Staff Recommendation

Staff presented the proposal and recommended approval, noting that the proposed development aligned with existing development patterns in the area. The presentation occurred approximately 39 minutes into the meeting 39:04.

Key Participants

The discussion involved several speakers, including Traci Wade, Tom Martin, Jimmy Emmons, and Rena Wiseman.

Variance Approval

In addition to the zoning map amendment, the Commission approved a landscape variance. This variance was granted to allow for an integrated design approach between the commercial and residential zones within the development.

Outcome

The Commission approved the zoning map amendment and Cadentown Subdivision, Lot 10 development plan, including the landscape variance.

PFR 2014-1: LFUCG Senior Citizens Center

1:09:07

The Commission reviewed a proposal for a new Senior Citizens Center to be located in Idle Hour Park. Barbara Rikers presented the staff's findings on the project.

Staff Recommendation

Staff determined the project to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The analysis highlighted several factors supporting the proposed location:

• Accessibility of the site
• Existing park amenities that could support the center
• Documented community needs for expanded senior programming

Site Selection Rationale

The Idle Hour Park location was selected based on its central geographic position and its capacity to accommodate expanded programming for senior citizens.

Outcome

The Commission approved the proposal for PFR 2014-1: LFUCG Senior Citizens Center.

Initiate a Text Amendment for Handicap Ramps

1:27:23

Staff presented a request to initiate a text amendment to Article 15-5(a) aimed at improving accessibility for handicap ramps in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The proposed amendment would clarify requirements for covered porches, stairways, and terraces to ensure better compliance with accessibility standards.

Traci Wade presented this agenda item to the Commission. The amendment seeks to address gaps in current regulations by providing clearer guidelines for how handicap ramps must be designed and implemented in relation to covered structures and outdoor features.

The Commission approved the motion to initiate the text amendment.