Planning Commission Subdivision

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission met on August 13, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Urban County Government Building, 200 East Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky. Mike Cravens presided over the meeting, which addressed 10 agenda items related to various development projects and subdivisions. The Commission took 12 votes during the session and heard 6 public comments.

Of the 10 agenda items considered, the Commission approved five projects: Grasmere Subdivision Unit 5, Anderson 2 Subdivision, NOLI CDC Corp. & Clifford Property, Hamburg East (Waterstone at Hamburg), and Electronics Park Parks Subdivision Unit 1 Lot 33. Four items were postponed: Copper Creek Subdivision, Masterston Station Center (Citation Village), Bluegrass Business Park Lot 4, and Leestown Office Park (AMD). One additional item, High Point Subdivision, was also postponed.

Attendance

Present (23 members): Mike Cravens, Carolyn Plumlee, Bill Wilson, Will Berkley, David Drake, Karen Mundy, Joseph Smith, Carolyn Richardson, Chris King, Bill Sallee, Barbara Rackers, Tom Martin, Cheryl Gallt, Kelly Hunter, Dave Jarman, Denice Bullock, Hillard Newman, Casey Kaucher, Pierre Jolibois, Captain Greg Lengal, Lieutenant Joshua Thiel, Tim Queary, and Tracy Jones.

Absent (3 members): Patrick Brewer, Mike Owens, and Frank Penn.

Late: None reported.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included 12 votes, all conducted by voice vote with unanimous support.

Postponements to September 10, 2015:

Four items were postponed to the September 10, 2015 meeting:

• Plan 2015-67P: Copper Creek Subdivision, motion by Bill Wilson, seconded by Carolyn Richardson 7:09
• DP 2015-38: Masterston Station Center (Citation Village), motion by Carolyn Plumlee, seconded by Karen Mundy 8:19
• DP 2015-55: Bluegrass Business Park, Lot 4, motion by Karen Mundy, seconded by Carolyn Richardson 9:26
• DP 2015-57: Leestown Office Park (AMD), motion by Carolyn Plumlee, seconded by Karen Mundy 9:57
• DP 2015-30: High Point Subdivision, motion by Bill Wilson, seconded by Carolyn Richardson 1:34:28

Approvals:

• Consent Agenda with Grasmere Subdivision removed, motion by Bill Wilson, seconded by Carolyn Richardson 16:15
• Plan 2015-68P: Grasmere Subdivision, Unit 5 with 15 staff conditions, motion by Bill Wilson, seconded by Carolyn Richardson 1:14:03
• Plan 2015-74F: Anderson 2 Subdivision with 23 conditions, motion by Bill Wilson, seconded by Carolyn Richardson 1:24:47
• Plan 2015-79F: NOLI CDC Corp. & Clifford Property with revised conditions, motion by Bill Wilson, seconded by Carolyn Richardson 1:33:04
• DP 2015-58: Hamburg East (Waterstone at Hamburg) with revised conditions and EAMP compliance finding, motion by Bill Wilson, seconded by Carolyn Richardson 2:05:07
• DP 2015-59: Electronics Park, Parks Subdivision, Unit 1, Lot 33 with 12 revised staff conditions, motion by Bill Wilson, seconded by Carolyn Richardson 2:10:04
• Release of call bonds, motion by Joseph Smith, seconded by Carolyn Richardson 2:10:42

All votes passed unanimously with support from Mike Cravens, Carolyn Plumlee, Bill Wilson, Will Berkley, David Drake, Karen Mundy, Joseph Smith, and Carolyn Richardson.

Public Comment

Six speakers addressed the board during the public comment period, raising concerns about two primary development projects and related issues.

Grasmere Subdivision

Janet Cabanis spoke first 39:26, advocating for a 60-foot cul-de-sac rather than the proposed 50 or 54 feet. She cited fire department input and existing cul-de-sac sizes in the area, arguing that the larger size would improve safety, ease of access, and neighborhood character.

Three additional speakers expressed concerns about the development's impact on the neighborhood. David Goodpastor 50:33 disagreed with the neighborhood's support for the project, arguing it violates the spirit of a 1985 resolution and maximizes density within zoning regulations. Tom DelBillo 52:13 echoed these concerns, noting that the development would alter the neighborhood's character and structure in an already densely developed area. Chris Norris 53:14 compared the proposed development to replacing three houses with six, contending that this approach degrades the neighborhood's character and integrity.

Other Matters

John Tucker 1:23:37 addressed a separate issue regarding fencing and agricultural use. He confirmed that an agricultural fence has been installed and expressed appreciation for the resolution of the matter.

A speaker identified as Tom 2:03:50 requested enhanced landscaping along Man o' War Boulevard, citing both aesthetic and safety improvements.

Contested Items

Grasmere Subdivision Cul-de-sac Size and Access

Neighbors voiced strong opposition to the proposed 50-foot cul-de-sac design for the Grasmere Subdivision. Community members advocated for a larger 60-foot cul-de-sac, citing safety concerns and the need to preserve neighborhood character. In addition to the cul-de-sac dimensions, residents raised concerns about the apron and barrier design associated with the access point.

Hamburg East Development Access Waiver

The Hamburg East development's access arrangement generated debate among decision-makers. The proposal involved a right-in, right-out access point on Polo Club Boulevard, which would deviate from the standard 800-500-500 access spacing rule. Staff and traffic engineering personnel supported granting the waiver for this access configuration. However, the issue resulted in a split vote, indicating disagreement among voting members about whether the waiver was appropriate given the established spacing standards.

Copper Creek Subdivision

The board discussed the Copper Creek Subdivision plan during this meeting 7:09. Richard Murphy was the key speaker on this agenda item.

The discussion centered on two primary concerns with the proposed subdivision plan. Board members raised issues regarding street alignment and the absence of tree protection areas in the development proposal.

The applicant requested a one-month postponement to address these concerns. The board granted this postponement, allowing time for revisions to the plan before it would be reconsidered at a future meeting.

Masterston Station Center (Citation Village)

Item 2015-38

The board discussed the Masterston Station Center project, also known as Citation Village, during this meeting. 8:19

Tom Martin addressed the board regarding this agenda item.

Status and Issues

The plan was postponed due to compliance questions with the Big-Box Design Guidelines and the Storm Water Manual. These regulatory concerns prevented the project from moving forward at this time.

Action Taken

The applicant requested a one-month postponement to address the outstanding compliance issues. The board granted this postponement request, allowing additional time for the applicant to resolve the design guideline and storm water manual questions before the project could be reconsidered.

Bluegrass Business Park, Lot 4

Agenda Item 2015-55

The board discussed a proposal for Bluegrass Business Park, Lot 4 9:26. Tom Martin presented the item to the board.

The plan was postponed due to unresolved issues affecting the project. Specifically, concerns were raised regarding sanitary sewer service and access to future lots. These outstanding matters prevented the board from moving forward with approval at this time.

The applicant requested a one-month postponement to allow time to address the identified issues. The board granted this request, deferring further consideration of the proposal to a future meeting.

Outcome: Postponed

Leestown Office Park (AMD)

The board discussed the Leestown Office Park proposal, with Tom Martin presenting on the matter 9:57. The primary issue preventing approval was the status of parking relocation, which remained unresolved at the time of the meeting.

The applicant requested a one-month postponement to allow additional time to address the outstanding parking concerns. The board granted this postponement request, deferring further consideration of the project to a future meeting date.

Grasmere Subdivision, Unit 5

Identifier: 2015-68P

The Grasmere Subdivision, Unit 5 proposal was discussed and approved with 15 conditions 1:14:03.

Key Participants

The discussion involved Richard Murphy, Rory Cayley, Janet Cabanis, David Goodpastor, Tom DelBillo, and Chris Norris.

Approval and Conditions

The plan received approval subject to 15 conditions, including:

• A 60-foot cul-de-sac
• Sidewalk connection to Man o' War
• Tree protection areas

Public Comments

Public comments during the discussion focused on three primary areas of concern:

• Safety
• Neighborhood character
• The apron and barrier

Outcome

The proposal was approved.

Anderson 2 Subdivision

The Anderson 2 Subdivision (Agenda Item 2015-74F) was discussed at approximately 1:24:47.

Key Speakers

Richard Murphy and John Tucker participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

Outcome

The subdivision plan was approved with 11 conditions.

Conditions and Requirements

The approval included the following conditions:

• Floodplain clarifications
• Tree protection measures
• Access easement findings

Applicant Confirmation

The applicant confirmed compliance with fencing requirements as part of the approval process.

NOLI CDC Corp. & Clifford Property

The plan for NOLI CDC Corp. & Clifford Property was discussed and approved with revisions 1:33:04.

Key Speakers

Tom Martin and the applicant participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

Discussion and Revisions

The applicant acknowledged an oversight regarding the plan's original conditions. Following discussion, the plan was approved with revised conditions that included:

• Deletion of a blanket utility easement
• Documentation of Capacity Assurance Program approval

Outcome

The plan was approved with the revised conditions in place.

High Point Subdivision

The High Point Subdivision proposal was discussed as agenda item 2015-30 1:34:28. Tom Martin presented on this matter.

The discussion centered on zoning concerns regarding the proposed use within a B-3 zone. These zoning issues prevented the proposal from moving forward at this meeting.

The applicant requested a one-month postponement to address the zoning concerns, and this request was granted. The item was postponed to allow time for further review and resolution of the zoning-related issues before the proposal could be reconsidered.

Hamburg East (Waterstone at Hamburg)

Agenda Item 2015-58

The plan for Hamburg East (Waterstone at Hamburg) was presented for discussion and approval. 2:05:07

Key Speakers

Tom Martin and Nick Nicholson were the primary speakers on this agenda item.

Presentation and Approval

The plan was approved with revised conditions. The applicant emphasized compliance with the East Area Master Plan (EAMP) and community design standards throughout the discussion.

Revised Conditions

The approval included the following conditions:

• A landscape exhibit
• Architectural renderings
• A waiver for right-in, right-out access

Outcome

The plan was approved.

Electronics Park, Parks Subdivision, Unit 1, Lot 33

The plan for Electronics Park, Parks Subdivision, Unit 1, Lot 33 was presented for discussion and approval 2:10:04.

Key Speakers

Tom Martin and Matt Carter were the primary speakers on this agenda item.

Discussion and Conditions

The plan was approved with 12 revised conditions. These conditions included:

• Correction of building floor area
• Notation of easements

Outcome

The plan was approved. The applicant agreed with all 12 revised conditions presented during the discussion.