Planning Commission Zoning Public Hearing

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission convened on September 28, 2017, at 1:30 PM in the Council Chamber on the 2nd Floor of the LFUCG Government Center at 200 East Main Street in Lexington, Kentucky, with Bill Wilson presiding as the meeting officer. The commission addressed four agenda items during the session, all of which were approved by the board. The meeting included consideration of one final subdivision plan for Greer-Hancock Farm, LLC and three zoning map amendments for various properties throughout the county. The commission conducted five votes throughout the proceedings and heard one public comment from a community member. All agenda items resulted in favorable outcomes, demonstrating a productive session focused on development and zoning matters within Fayette County.

Attendance

The meeting on September 28, 2017 had nine members present and two absent.

Present: • Bill Wilson • Headley Bell • Will Berkley • Patrick Brewer • Mike Cravens • Larry Forester • Karen Mundy • Mike Owens • Frank Penn

Absent: • Carolyn Plumlee • Carolyn Richardson

No members arrived late to the meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included five roll call votes on various planning matters, with four passing unanimously and one passing with one dissenting vote.

Minutes Approval 0:30 Karen Mundy motioned to approve the minutes of the August 24, 2017 meeting, seconded by Mike Owens. The motion passed 8-0 with one abstention. Voting in favor: Bill Wilson, Headley Bell, Will Berkley, Patrick Brewer, Mike Cravens, Larry Forester, Karen Mundy, and Mike Owens.

PLN-MAR-17-00031 1:30 Mike Owens motioned to approve the zoning map amendment for SCW NEWTOWN, LLC, seconded by Patrick Brewer. The motion passed unanimously 9-0, subject to four conditions and prohibited uses noted by staff. All members voted in favor: Bill Wilson, Headley Bell, Will Berkley, Patrick Brewer, Mike Cravens, Larry Forester, Karen Mundy, Mike Owens, and Frank Penn.

PLN-MJSUB-17-00050 2:30 Mike Cravens motioned to approve the final subdivision plan for GREER-HANCOCK FARM, LLC, seconded by Larry Forester. The motion passed unanimously 9-0, subject to 10 conditions noted by staff. All members voted in favor.

PLN-MAR-17-00032 3:30 Frank Penn motioned to approve the zoning map amendment for FRM LAWSON PROPERTY, seconded by Karen Mundy. The motion passed unanimously 9-0, subject to conditions noted by staff. All members voted in favor.

PLN-MAR-17-00033 4:30 Mike Owens motioned to approve the zoning map amendment for CORE LEXINGTON 685 LIMESTONE, LLC, seconded by Patrick Brewer. The motion passed 7-1, subject to conditions noted by staff. Voting in favor: Bill Wilson, Headley Bell, Will Berkley, Patrick Brewer, Mike Cravens, Larry Forester, and Mike Owens. Karen Mundy voted against the motion.

Public Comment

During the public comment period, one speaker addressed the board regarding concerns related to a proposed development project.

Jacob Wahlburn spoke on behalf of a client regarding water drainage concerns 6:30. Wahlburn expressed specific concerns about stormwater drainage issues that could potentially affect his client's property as a result of the proposed development. He outlined how the development plans might impact existing drainage patterns and create potential problems for neighboring properties.

The public comment period focused primarily on infrastructure and environmental impact issues, with particular attention to water management and drainage systems in relation to the development under consideration.

Contested Items

The commission encountered one contested item during the September 28, 2017 meeting that resulted in a split vote among members.

Parking Variance for CORE LEXINGTON 685 LIMESTONE, LLC

The primary point of contention involved a parking variance request for CORE LEXINGTON 685 LIMESTONE, LLC. Commission members engaged in debate regarding the adequacy of parking spaces for the proposed development project.

The disagreement centered on whether the number of parking spaces included in the development plan would be sufficient to meet the actual needs of the project. Some commissioners expressed concerns that the proposed parking allocation might prove inadequate, potentially creating future parking shortages that could impact both the development and surrounding area.

The debate highlighted differing perspectives among commission members about parking requirements and the potential consequences of approving a variance that might not provide enough parking spaces. Members weighed the developer's request against the practical considerations of ensuring adequate parking for the proposed use.

This parking variance discussion ultimately resulted in a split vote, indicating that the commission was divided on whether to approve the requested variance. The split vote demonstrates that commissioners had substantive disagreements about the merits of the parking proposal and its potential impacts on the development and surrounding community.

The contested nature of this item reflects the complexity of balancing development needs with practical infrastructure requirements, particularly regarding parking adequacy in urban development projects.

Final Subdivision Plan for GREER-HANCOCK FARM, LLC

2:00

The commission considered agenda item IV.1.a, a resolution regarding the Final Subdivision Plan for GREER-HANCOCK FARM, LLC. Tom Martin presented the item to the commission.

The subdivision plan presented unique circumstances due to the property's location spanning both Fayette and Bourbon counties. This cross-county positioning created specific requirements and challenges for the development approval process.

Two waivers were required for the project to proceed: - A waiver related to the size of the lot - A waiver due to the lack of Fayette County frontage

The plan included standard procedural requirements, specifically the posting of a sign and the submission of an affidavit as part of the approval process.

The commission approved the Final Subdivision Plan for GREER-HANCOCK FARM, LLC, granting the necessary waivers to accommodate the property's unique characteristics and location across county boundaries.

Zoning Map Amendment for SCW NEWTOWN, LLC

1:00

The council considered agenda item V.1.a, a petition from SCW NEWTOWN, LLC requesting a zoning map amendment to rezone property from Highway Service Business (B-3) to Wholesale and Warehouse Business (B-4). The proposed rezoning would allow construction of a 12,000 square-foot warehouse facility.

Traci Wade served as the key speaker presenting information on this zoning petition. The request involves changing the current B-3 zoning designation, which permits highway service businesses, to B-4 zoning that allows wholesale and warehouse operations.

The proposed warehouse development would occupy 12,000 square feet and requires the B-4 zoning classification to proceed with construction. The B-4 zone is specifically designed to accommodate wholesale and warehouse business activities, making it the appropriate designation for the petitioner's intended use.

Following discussion of the petition, the council approved the zoning map amendment for SCW NEWTOWN, LLC. The approval allows the property to be rezoned from B-3 to B-4, clearing the way for the proposed warehouse construction project to move forward through the development process.

Zoning Map Amendment for FRM LAWSON PROPERTY

3:00

The council considered agenda item V.2.a, an ordinance to rezone property owned by FRM Lawson from Planned Neighborhood Residential (R-3) to Light Industrial (I-1) zoning. The petition seeks to incorporate the property into the existing Leestown Industrial Park.

Traci Wade served as the key speaker presenting information about this zoning map amendment. The proposal would change the current residential zoning designation to allow for light industrial uses consistent with the adjacent industrial park development.

The rezoning request represents a transition from residential to industrial land use, which would align the FRM Lawson property with the surrounding Leestown Industrial Park zoning pattern. This type of amendment typically involves considerations of compatibility with neighboring uses, infrastructure capacity, and compliance with the community's comprehensive planning goals.

The council approved the zoning map amendment, allowing the property to be rezoned from R-3 to I-1 and incorporated into the Leestown Industrial Park. This approval enables the property owner to pursue light industrial development opportunities that would be consistent with the existing industrial park uses in the area.

Zoning Map Amendment for CORE LEXINGTON 685 LIMESTONE, LLC

4:00

The council considered agenda item V.3.a, a petition by CORE LEXINGTON 685 LIMESTONE, LLC to rezone property from a Planned Neighborhood Residential (R-3) zone to a Neighborhood Business (B-1) zone. The proposed rezoning would allow construction of a mixed-use building containing both residential and commercial space.

Traci Wade served as a key speaker during the discussion of this zoning map amendment. The petition represents a change from the current residential zoning classification to a business zone that would accommodate the applicant's plans for mixed-use development.

The rezoning request was approved by the council, allowing CORE LEXINGTON 685 LIMESTONE, LLC to proceed with their mixed-use development plans under the new B-1 zoning classification.