Planning & Public Works Committee

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Planning & Public Works Committee met on August 12, 2014, at 1:00 p.m., with Farmer presiding. The committee addressed six agenda items during the session, including approval of the July 1, 2014 Special Committee Summary and Items Referred. Two items were deferred for future consideration: the P-1 Text Amendment for Mobile Food Vendors and the Municipal Aid Program (MAP). The committee also received informational presentations on the University of Kentucky Master Plan Update and the Streetlight Installation Plan. One motion was voted on during the meeting, and the committee heard three public comments.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on August 12, 2014:

• Farmer
• Mossotti
• Gorton
• Ellinger
• Kay
• Ford
• Lawless
• Beard
• Clarke
• Henson

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

A motion to approve Alternative 2 for the P-1 text amendment regarding mobile food vendors failed on a roll call vote 1:26:47.

Motion Details: The motion, made by Kay and seconded by Akers, proposed to allow mobile food vendors as accessory uses if located 500 or greater feet from residential zones. Under this alternative, mobile food vendors located less than 500 feet from residential zones would require conditional use approval.

Vote Results: The motion failed with a 4-4 tie vote.

Votes in Favor (4): - Kay - Ford - Henson - Gorton

Votes Against (4): - Ellinger - Beard - Clarke - Lawless

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed funding for a streetlight installation plan. No financial allocation was approved for this initiative at this time, with the funding amount recorded as $0.

Public Comment

Three members of the public addressed the council during this meeting.

Beard 1:43:24 questioned the legal use of MAP funds for trails. Beard noted that the statute specifies roads only and expressed concern that road funds are being diverted from their intended purpose.

Henson 1:56:06 raised aesthetic concerns about food trucks in the city. Henson expressed concern about the unattractive appearance of some food trucks and the placement of tables and chairs on major city corridors, suggesting that zoning could be used to regulate signage and outdoor furnishings.

Gorton 1:27:30 addressed food truck zoning and neighborhood protection. Gorton raised concerns about a loophole in Alternative 2 that would allow appeals to the Board of Adjustment to bypass the 500-foot setback requirement. Gorton also questioned whether P1 zones could maintain their integrity as buffer zones between residential and commercial areas.

Contested Items

Use of MAP Funds for Trails

Council Member Henson challenged the legality of using MAP (Municipal Aid Program) funds for trails, arguing that the statute restricts these funds to roads only. Henson expressed concern that road funding was being diverted from its intended purpose. This procedural dispute centered on whether the current use of MAP funds complied with statutory limitations on eligible expenditures.

Food Truck Zoning and Neighborhood Impact

The committee was divided on a P-1 text amendment regarding food truck zoning regulations. The dispute focused on concerns about a 500-foot buffer loophole and the potential for food trucks to disrupt residential areas. The disagreement resulted in a tied vote, and the motion was deferred, indicating the committee could not reach consensus on how to proceed with the proposed zoning changes.

July 1, 2014 Special Committee Summary

2:00

The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the July 1, 2014 meeting. Key speakers on this agenda item included Farmer, Clarke, and Kay.

During discussion of this item, Council Member Akers requested the postponement of the mobile food vendor text amendment item.

The outcome of this agenda item was approval.

University of Kentucky Master Plan Update

Judy Needham from the University of Kentucky presented an update on the university's master plan 3:06. The presentation was informational in nature and covered several ongoing and planned initiatives across the campus.

Key Projects and Initiatives

The update highlighted multiple construction and development projects underway at the university, including:

• Ongoing construction projects
• Housing expansions
• Academic building projects

Campus Mobility and Pedestrianization

A significant focus of the presentation was improving campus mobility and pedestrianization efforts. The university outlined plans to enhance walkability and transportation across campus.

Washington Avenue Transfer Request

A notable component of the master plan update included a request to transfer ownership of Washington Avenue back to the University of Kentucky. This request was presented as part of the broader campus development and mobility strategy.

Outcome

The agenda item concluded as an informational presentation with no formal action or decision required at this time.

P-1 Text Amendment for Mobile Food Vendors

Council Member Akers introduced a proposal to allow mobile food vendors as accessory uses in P-1 zones. 45:24

Proposal Overview

The proposal presented four alternatives for regulating mobile food vendors in P-1 zones:

• Unrestricted access for mobile food vendors
• 500-foot buffer requirement from residential areas
• Conditional use permit requirement
• Restriction to designated professional office projects only

Discussion and Concerns

The committee discussed several key considerations related to the proposal, including:

• Aesthetics and visual impact on P-1 zones
• Potential neighborhood effects
• Administrative feasibility of implementation

Key speakers in the discussion included Council Members Akers, King, Henson, Gorton, Kay, and Ford, who engaged with various aspects of the proposal and its implications.

Outcome

The matter was deferred, indicating that the council did not reach a final decision at this meeting and postponed further action to a future date.

Municipal Aid Program (MAP)

1:34:01

Council Member Stinnett introduced a discussion on policy direction for the Municipal Aid Program (MAP) funding administration. Staff presented a five-year financial overview that detailed revenue fluctuations and changes to the fund balance over the review period.

Key Discussion Points

Several concerns were raised during the discussion. Council members questioned the use of MAP funds for trails projects and expressed the need for greater transparency in how projects are allocated and funded through the program.

Speakers

The discussion involved Council Member Stinnett, along with staff members Farmer, Beard, and Henson.

Outcome

The matter was deferred, indicating that further discussion or action on MAP policy direction will take place at a future meeting.

Streetlight Installation Plan

Dowell Hoskins Squire presented an update on the streetlight installation plan. As of the meeting date, 214 lights had been installed against a goal of 400 for the year. 1:49:29

The installation process involves field marking followed by installation work performed by KU crews. Despite progress to date, a backlog of 450 lights remains to be installed.

The committee was informed of efforts to improve forecasting accuracy using Acela software, which is intended to better predict and manage future installation timelines and resource allocation.

The presentation was informational in nature, providing the committee with a status update on the streetlight installation initiative.

Items Referred

5:00

The committee voted to remove four items from the referral list during this agenda item. The speakers involved in the discussion were Farmer, Ellinger, Gorton, and Kay.

The four items removed from the referral list were:

• Maintenance of Major Roadways
• Fees to Offset Historic Preservation Services
• Examine Fee Structure for Planning, Preservation & Development Services
• Leaf Collection Review

The committee's action to remove these items from the referral list was approved.