Planning Commission Subdivision Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission convened on January 16, 2020, at 1:30 PM in the Council Chambers of the Urban County Government Building at 200 East Main Street in Lexington, Kentucky, with Mike Owens presiding as chair. The Commission addressed four agenda items during the session, all of which received approval, including three development plans and one appeal of a Board of Architectural Review decision. The Commission conducted 12 motions and votes throughout the meeting to address the various matters before them. No public comments were heard during this session, allowing the Commission to focus on the technical review and approval of the development proposals and appeal matter.

Attendance

The Commission meeting on January 16, 2020 had seven members present and four members absent.

Present: • Mike Owens • Headley Bell • Anthony de Movellan • Karen Mundy • Carolyn Plumlee • Graham Pohl • William Wilson

Absent: • Patrick Brewer • Larry Forester • Bruce Nicol • Frank Penn

No members arrived late to the meeting. With seven of eleven total commissioners in attendance, the Commission had a quorum to conduct official business.

Votes and Decisions

The Commission conducted twelve votes during the January 16, 2020 meeting, with all seven commissioners present: Mike Owens, Headley Bell, Anthony de Movellan, Karen Mundy, Carolyn Plumlee, Graham Pohl, and William Wilson.

Administrative Actions The Commission unanimously approved minutes from November 21, 2019 and December 12, 2019 meetings on a motion by Carolyn Plumlee, seconded by Karen Mundy (7-0).

Postponements Six development cases were unanimously postponed to February 13, 2020: - PLN-MJDP-19-00073: Schroyer Property, Lots 3 & 4 (motion by Karen Mundy, second by Carolyn Plumlee) - PLN-MJDP-19-00077: Winburn Estates, Unit 3 (motion by William Wilson, second by Carolyn Plumlee) - PLN-MJDP-19-00070: Hamburg East (Baptist Healthcare Campus) (motion by Carolyn Plumlee, second by Graham Pohl) - PLN-MJDP-19-00074: Blackford Property (Phase 4) (motion by Graham Pohl, second by Carolyn Plumlee) - PLN-MJDP-19-00071: Riddell Plaza, Lot 3 (motion by Karen Mundy, second by Carolyn Plumlee) - PLN-FRP-19-00024: George Mankel Property (motion by Karen Mundy, second by Carolyn Plumlee)

Development Plan Approvals Three development plans received unanimous approval: - PLN-MJDP-19-00062: Lansdowne Shopping Center (motion by Karen Mundy, second by Carolyn Plumlee) - PLN-MJDP-19-00078: Lakeview Estates (motion by Karen Mundy, second by Carolyn Plumlee) - PLN-MJDP-19-00080: Fritz Farm Retail Company (motion by Karen Mundy, second by Carolyn Plumlee)

Board of Architectural Review Appeal (BOAR 2020-1) The Commission addressed an appeal regarding 601 Boonesboro Avenue through two roll call votes. The first motion to appeal the BOAR decision failed 3-4, with Mundy, Pohl, and Wilson voting in favor. A second motion by Carolyn Plumlee to overturn the BOAR decision passed 4-3, with Owens, Bell, de Movellan, and Plumlee voting in favor. The overturn was conditioned on compliance with LFUCG Historic Preservation staff review of original window molding integrity and all necessary permits.

Contested Items

The Commission addressed one contested matter during the January 16, 2020 meeting involving the use of exterior trim materials in a historic district.

Use of Boral True Exterior Trim Material at 601 Boonesboro Avenue

The primary point of contention centered on whether Boral True Exterior trim material would be appropriate for use at 601 Boonesboro Avenue within the historic district. This issue had previously been decided by the Board of Architectural Review (BOAR), which had made a determination regarding the material's suitability.

The Planning Commission initially voted to uphold BOAR's original decision, suggesting initial agreement with the board's assessment of the trim material. However, the Commission subsequently reconsidered the matter and voted to overturn BOAR's decision, ultimately allowing the use of the Boral material at the property.

This reversal indicates there were differing opinions among Commission members regarding the appropriateness of using this particular exterior trim material in the historic district context. The split vote reflects disagreement about whether the Boral True Exterior material met the standards and guidelines for historic preservation and architectural compatibility required for properties within the district.

The final outcome permitted the property owner at 601 Boonesboro Avenue to proceed with using the Boral True Exterior trim material, despite the initial opposition from BOAR. This decision represents a case where the Planning Commission exercised its authority to override a previous architectural review determination based on their assessment of the material's suitability for the historic district.

Lansdowne Shopping Center Development Plan

The Commission reviewed the development plan for Lansdowne Shopping Center under case number PLN-MJDP-19-00062 0:00. The proposal focused on revisions to the building area and parking arrangements for the shopping center.

Barrett Partners served as the key presenter for this agenda item, representing the development proposal. The discussion centered on modifications to the existing development parameters, specifically addressing building square footage and parking requirements for the commercial facility.

The Subdivision Committee had previously reviewed the proposal and provided their recommendation to approve the development plan, contingent upon certain conditions being met. These conditions were part of the committee's assessment to ensure the project met local planning standards and requirements.

The Commission considered the committee's recommendation along with the technical details of the revised building area and parking layout. The development plan represented changes to the shopping center's configuration that required formal approval through the planning process.

Following discussion of the proposal details and consideration of the Subdivision Committee's conditional approval recommendation, the Commission voted to approve the Lansdowne Shopping Center Development Plan. The approval allows the project to move forward with the revised building and parking specifications as presented by Barrett Partners, subject to the conditions established by the Subdivision Committee.

Lakeview Estates Development Plan

The Commission reviewed agenda item PLN-MJDP-19-00078, the Lakeview Estates Development Plan, during the January 16, 2020 meeting 0:00.

Barrett Partners presented the development plan, which focused on two primary modifications to the existing Lakeview Estates project. The proposal included revising the development plans for Building 9 and incorporating additional parking spaces to address capacity needs within the development.

The Subdivision Committee had previously reviewed the application and provided their recommendation to the Commission. The Committee recommended approval of the development plan, contingent upon the applicant meeting specified conditions related to the proposed changes.

The discussion centered on the technical aspects of the Building 9 revisions and the parking space additions. Barrett Partners outlined how these modifications would integrate with the existing development framework and addressed any technical requirements associated with the changes.

Following the presentation and discussion, the Commission approved the Lakeview Estates Development Plan. The approval incorporated the conditions recommended by the Subdivision Committee, ensuring that the development modifications would proceed in accordance with established planning standards and requirements.

The approved plan allows Barrett Partners to move forward with the revised Building 9 development and the additional parking infrastructure as outlined in their application materials.

Fritz Farm Retail Company Development Plan

0:00

The Planning Commission reviewed the Fritz Farm Retail Company Development Plan (PLN-MJDP-19-00080), which proposed revisions to the development of Buildings 2300, 2500, and 2600 within the Fritz Farm retail complex.

HDR Engineering presented the development plan on behalf of the applicant. The proposal focused on modifying the previously approved plans for these three specific buildings within the larger Fritz Farm development.

The Subdivision Committee had previously reviewed the application and recommended approval, contingent upon certain conditions being met. The committee's recommendation indicated that the proposed revisions were generally consistent with the overall development vision for the Fritz Farm area.

During the discussion, the Commission considered the technical aspects of the building modifications and their compliance with applicable zoning and development standards. The revisions appeared to address operational and design considerations for the retail buildings while maintaining compatibility with the surrounding development.

The Planning Commission ultimately approved the Fritz Farm Retail Company Development Plan, accepting the Subdivision Committee's recommendation and the associated conditions. This approval allows the developer to proceed with the revised plans for Buildings 2300, 2500, and 2600 as presented.

The approval represents another step in the ongoing development of the Fritz Farm retail complex, which has been a significant commercial development project in the area. The modified building plans will contribute to the continued build-out of this major retail destination.

Appeal of BOAR Decision for 601 Boonesboro Avenue

0:00 The Planning Commission reviewed agenda item BOAR 2020-1, an appeal of the Board of Architectural Review (BOAR) decision regarding 601 Boonesboro Avenue. The case centered on the proposed use of Boral True Exterior trim material for the property.

Key speakers during the discussion included James Griggs, Kim McBride, and Betty Kerr, who presented arguments and provided input on the appeal. The debate focused on whether the Boral True Exterior trim material met the architectural standards and guidelines established for the area.

The Commission initially upheld the BOAR decision, which had presumably denied the use of the Boral material. However, following further discussion and consideration of the presented evidence and arguments, the Commission reconsidered their position.

After deliberation, the Planning Commission ultimately overturned the original BOAR decision, allowing the use of Boral True Exterior trim material at 601 Boonesboro Avenue. This reversal indicates that the Commission found the material to be acceptable and in compliance with the applicable architectural standards.

The appeal was approved, granting the applicant permission to proceed with their proposed use of the Boral True Exterior trim material for the project at 601 Boonesboro Avenue.