Planning Commission Subdivision Items

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission convened on August 10, 2017, at 1:30 PM in the Council Chambers of the Urban County Government Building at 200 East Main Street in Lexington, Kentucky, with Chairman Cravens presiding. The commission addressed 10 agenda items during the session, covering standard procedural matters including approval of minutes, postponements or withdrawals, land subdivision items, and various commission and staff items. The meeting included a consent agenda that was approved, and commissioners heard from 4 public speakers during the audience items portion of the proceedings. Throughout the session, the commission conducted 17 motions and votes on various matters before them, demonstrating an active agenda with multiple items requiring formal action by the body.

Attendance

Present: • Will Berkley • Patrick Brewer • Mike Cravens • Larry Forester • Karen Mundy • Carolyn Plumlee • Carolyn Richardson

Absent: • Headley Bell • Mike Owens • Frank Penn • Bill Wilson

Seven members were present for the August 10, 2017 meeting, while four members were absent. No members arrived late to the meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The commission took action on 17 items during the August 10, 2017 meeting, with all seven members present: Will Berkley, Patrick Brewer, Mike Cravens, Larry Forester, Karen Mundy, Carolyn Plumlee, and Carolyn Richardson.

Postponements

Eight development amendments were unanimously postponed by 7-0 votes:

• PLN-MJDP-17-00061 - The Peninsula & Squires Apartments amendment, motioned by Carolyn Plumlee and seconded by Karen Mundy 0:30
• PLN-MJDP-17-00073 - Liberty Heights Subdivision amendment, motioned by Karen Mundy and seconded by Carolyn Plumlee 2:00
• PLN-MJSUB-17-00045 - Denton Farms, Inc. amendment, motioned by Carolyn Richardson and seconded by Patrick Brewer 3:30
• PLN-MJSUB-17-00048 - The Garden of Hartland amendment, motioned by Carolyn Plumlee and seconded by Karen Mundy 5:00
• PLN-MJSUB-17-00049 - The Townhomes at Jefferson Street amendment, motioned by Karen Mundy and seconded by Larry Forester 6:30
• PLN-MJDP-17-00058 - Henry Clay Subdivision amendment, motioned by Patrick Brewer and seconded by Carolyn Plumlee 8:00
• PLN-MJDP-17-00067 - Wagon Wheel, Unit 3 amendment, motioned by Carolyn Plumlee and seconded by Carolyn Richardson 9:30
• PLN-MJDP-17-00070 - Zandale Shopping Center & Greenleaf Motor Lodge Properties amendment, motioned by Carolyn Richardson and seconded by Carolyn Plumlee 11:00

Approvals

Nine items were approved unanimously by 7-0 votes, with most subject to conditions listed in the agenda:

• PLN-MJSUB-17-00044 - Blueberry Hill Subdivision amendment 13:00
• PLN-MJSUB-17-00046 - Hillenmeyer Property, West, Unit 3, Section C amendment 14:00
• PLN-MJSUB-17-00047 - Hillenmeyer Property, West, Unit 3, Section D amendment 15:00
• PLN-MJSUB-16-00004 - One-year extension for Lexmark International, Inc. 16:00
• PLN-MJDP-17-00066 - All About Kids Daycare development plan 17:00
• PLN-MJDP-17-00069 - Hope Center Property amendment 18:00
• PLN-MJDP-17-00072 - Masterson Station Center amendment, motioned by Will Berkley and seconded by Karen Mundy 20:00
• PLN-MJDP-17-00060 - Sunny Slope Farm amendment and its associated waiver, both motioned by Will Berkley and seconded by Karen Mundy [timestamps: 22:00, 23:00]

Public Comment

Four residents spoke during the public comment period, all addressing concerns about the Sunny Slope Farm development project.

Keith Mcmun spoke first 25:00, expressing concern about the preservation of trees and shrubs that serve as a privacy and sound barrier for residents on Scarlet Oak Lane. He emphasized the importance of maintaining this natural buffer between the development and existing homes.

Tim Niese followed 27:00, sharing his concerns about the development's broader impact on the neighborhood and the preservation of green space. He highlighted the importance of protecting the area's natural environment.

Shannon Mcdonnell addressed the meeting 29:00, raising concerns about the development's impact on local infrastructure and green space. She specifically questioned the suitability of building on a floodplain, pointing to potential flooding and environmental issues that could affect the community.

Judy Mcdaniel concluded the public comment period 31:00 by requesting that the board postpone any decision on the development. She asked for additional time to allow the neighborhood to thoroughly review and assess the project's potential impact on flooding and green space preservation.

All four speakers focused on environmental and infrastructure concerns related to the Sunny Slope Farm development, with particular emphasis on tree preservation, flood management, and the protection of green space that serves the existing community.

Contested Items

The primary contested item during the August 10, 2017 meeting was the Sunny Slope Farm development proposal, which drew significant community opposition from local residents.

Sunny Slope Farm Development

Multiple residents voiced strong concerns about the proposed development at Sunny Slope Farm. The opposition centered on three main issues: the potential impact on existing green space in the area, privacy concerns for neighboring properties, and increased flooding risks that could affect the surrounding community.

Community members who spoke during the meeting requested additional time to thoroughly review the development plans before any decisions were made. The residents argued that the current timeline did not provide adequate opportunity for proper community input and analysis of the proposal's potential impacts.

The nature of the opposition was characterized as community-wide, suggesting broad neighborhood concern rather than isolated objections. Residents emphasized their desire for more comprehensive review of how the development would affect the local environment, particularly regarding stormwater management and the preservation of green space that contributes to the area's character.

The outcome of this contested item was not specified in the available meeting data, though the community's request for extended review time indicates the matter likely required further consideration before resolution.

Call to Order

0:00 Chairman Cravens called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. on August 10, 2017.

This was a procedural agenda item to formally begin the meeting session. No discussion or debate occurred during this portion of the meeting, as it served as the standard opening protocol to commence official business.

Approval of Minutes

1:00

The board did not consider the approval of minutes from the July 13, 2017, meeting during this agenda item. No discussion took place regarding the previous meeting's minutes, and no action was taken to approve or modify them at this time.

Postponements or Withdrawals

2:00

The meeting addressed several agenda items that required postponement to the September 14, 2017 meeting. Key speakers during this discussion included Nick Nicholson and Chairman Cravens.

Among the items postponed were: • The Peninsula & Squires Apartments • Liberty Heights Subdivision

The postponements were presented as informational items, with no formal debate or concerns raised during the discussion. The decision to move these items to the September 14, 2017 meeting appeared to be administrative in nature, allowing for additional time for review or preparation of the respective cases.

This agenda item served as a housekeeping measure to formally notify attendees and the public of the scheduling changes for these development projects.

Land Subdivision Items

12:00

The Land Subdivision Items agenda was presented as an informational report on the Subdivision Committee's recent recommendations. Traci Wade served as the key speaker for this agenda item.

Wade provided an overview of the various subdivision plans that had been reviewed by the Subdivision Committee, noting that the committee had made recommendations involving both approvals and postponements of different projects. The presentation covered multiple subdivision proposals that had come before the committee for consideration.

The discussion focused on the committee's evaluation process and the rationale behind their recommendations for each subdivision plan. Wade outlined how the committee assessed various factors when reviewing subdivision applications, though specific details about individual projects or the criteria used in the evaluation process were not elaborated upon in the available information.

No significant concerns or debates were raised during this portion of the meeting, as this item served primarily as an informational update rather than a decision-making discussion. The presentation allowed the broader body to stay informed about the ongoing work of the Subdivision Committee and the status of various development projects under review.

The outcome of this agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal actions taken or votes conducted. The report served to keep meeting participants updated on the subdivision review process and the committee's recent activities regarding land development proposals in their jurisdiction.

Consent Agenda

13:00

The Consent Agenda was presented for approval during the meeting, with Traci Wade serving as the key speaker for this agenda item. The consent agenda included multiple items that were grouped together for efficient approval without individual discussion.

The specific items approved as part of the consent agenda included amendments related to the Blueberry Hill Subdivision and the Hillenmeyer Property. These items were presented as routine matters that did not require separate debate or extended discussion by the governing body.

The consent agenda format allows governing bodies to handle routine, non-controversial items efficiently by grouping them together for a single vote. This procedural approach enables the meeting to focus more time on items requiring detailed discussion or debate.

The consent agenda was approved without any recorded objections or requests to remove items for separate consideration. This indicates that all members were satisfied with the proposed actions and did not require additional discussion on any of the included matters.

The approval of these consent agenda items represents the completion of routine administrative and regulatory matters, including the subdivision and property amendments that were part of the package.

Commission Items

40:00

The Commission discussed the initiation of a subdivision regulation amendment concerning final record plats during this agenda item.

Jim Duncan served as the key speaker for this discussion, presenting information about proposed changes to subdivision regulations. The focus centered on amendments that would affect the requirements and processes for final record plats in subdivision development.

The item was presented for informational purposes, allowing commissioners to receive details about the proposed regulatory changes and understand the scope of the amendment being considered. This discussion provided the groundwork for future formal consideration of the subdivision regulation modifications.

No formal action was taken during this agenda item, as it served as an informational briefing to familiarize the Commission with the upcoming amendment process for final record plat regulations.

Staff Items

42:00

During the Staff Items portion of the meeting, staff provided updates on various matters to the board.

Key Presenter: • Jim Duncan served as the primary speaker for staff updates

Discussion Summary: Staff presented informational updates on multiple items of interest to the board. One notable update involved a prior lawsuit decision, though specific details of the case and its resolution were not elaborated upon in the available materials.

Outcome: This agenda item was informational in nature, with staff providing updates rather than seeking board action or approval on any particular matter. No formal decisions or votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

The staff updates appeared to be routine administrative communications designed to keep board members informed of ongoing developments and resolved matters affecting the organization.

Audience Items

44:00

The Commission opened the floor for public comment on planning-related matters during the Audience Items portion of the meeting. This agenda item, designated as Item VIII, provided an opportunity for citizens to bring forward any planning concerns or topics for general discussion with the Commission.

No specific speakers or topics were recorded for this portion of the meeting. The item served as an informational session, allowing for potential public input on planning matters within the Commission's purview.

The outcome was informational, with no formal actions taken by the Commission during this segment.

Next Meeting Dates

45:00

The meeting concluded with an announcement of upcoming meeting dates. The next scheduled meeting will include a public hearing for zoning items on August 24, 2017.

No additional details about the meeting schedule or other upcoming dates were provided in the available materials. This agenda item served as an informational announcement to inform attendees and the public of the next opportunity for civic participation.

Adjournment

46:00 Chairman Cravens adjourned the meeting on August 10, 2017.

The meeting was formally concluded with no additional discussion or procedural matters requiring attention at the time of adjournment.