Planning Commission Zoning Public Hearing

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission convened on January 30, 2020, 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 Mike Owens presiding as the meeting officer. The commission addressed two primary agenda items involving zoning map amendments and subdivision proposals, taking a total of 2 votes during the proceedings. The meeting included 2 public comment periods, allowing community members to provide input on the matters under consideration.

The commission's work resulted in mixed outcomes for the two development proposals presented. The Julie Butcher Zoning Map Amendment & Edgemore Subdivision was denied by the commission, while the Lexington Habitat for Humanity Zoning Map Amendment & Perry Street Townhomes received approval. These decisions reflect the commission's ongoing role in evaluating development proposals and their alignment with the community's zoning requirements and planning objectives.

Attendance

The following members were present at the January 30, 2020 meeting:

• Mike Owens
• Headley Bell
• Patrick Brewer
• Anthony de Movellan
• Larry Forester
• Karen Mundy
• Bruce Nicol
• Graham Pohl
• Carolyn Plumlee
• Bill Wilson

Absent: Frank Penn

No members arrived late to the meeting. Ten of eleven members were in attendance.

Votes and Decisions

The commission took roll call votes on two zoning map amendment applications during the meeting.

PLN-MAR-19-00016 - Julie Butcher Zoning Map Amendment 3:45:00

The commission voted on a zoning map amendment request from Julie Butcher to rezone property from R-1C to P-1. Commissioner Headley Bell made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Bill Wilson. The motion failed on a tie vote of 5 ayes, 5 nays, and 1 abstention.

Commissioners voting in favor were: • Mike Owens • Headley Bell • Anthony de Movellan • Larry Forester • Bill Wilson

Commissioners voting against were: • Patrick Brewer • Karen Mundy • Bruce Nicol • Graham Pohl

One commissioner abstained from the vote.

PLN-MAR-19-00017 - Lexington Habitat for Humanity Zoning Map Amendment 6:30:00

The commission unanimously approved a zoning map amendment request from Lexington Habitat for Humanity to rezone property from R-1D to R-3. Commissioner Patrick Brewer made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Karen Mundy. The motion passed with 9 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions.

All commissioners voted in favor: • Mike Owens • Headley Bell • Patrick Brewer • Anthony de Movellan • Larry Forester • Karen Mundy • Bruce Nicol • Graham Pohl • Bill Wilson

No conditions were attached to either zoning amendment decision.

Public Comment

Two residents addressed the board during the public comment period, raising concerns about development and historic preservation issues.

Andy Meade spoke at 2:30:00 regarding traffic concerns on Edgemore Drive. Meade expressed concerns about increased traffic and safety issues on Edgemore Drive that would result from the proposed development under consideration.

Brittany Sames addressed the board at 2:35:00 on the topic of historic preservation. Sames opposed the demolition of the historic property located at 1922 Nicholasville Road, citing the building's architectural significance as grounds for preservation.

Both speakers focused on different aspects of development impacts in the community, with Meade highlighting infrastructure and safety concerns while Sames emphasized the importance of maintaining historic structures.

Contested Items

The January 30, 2020 meeting featured one significant contested item that resulted in a split decision among council members.

Julie Butcher Zoning Map Amendment

The primary source of contention during the meeting was a zoning map amendment proposal involving Julie Butcher's property. The proposal sought to rezone the property from R-1C (residential) to P-1 (public/institutional) zoning classification.

This rezoning request generated substantial controversy, drawing significant opposition from community members. The nature of the opposition and specific concerns raised by residents were not detailed in the available meeting data, but the level of community engagement was notable enough to influence the proceedings.

The contentious nature of this item was reflected in the voting outcome, which resulted in a tie vote among council members. This split decision indicates that the governing body was equally divided on whether to approve the zoning change, suggesting legitimate concerns and merits on both sides of the issue.

A tie vote on zoning matters typically means the proposal fails to pass, as most municipal procedures require a majority vote for approval of zoning amendments. The deadlock demonstrates the challenging nature of balancing development interests with community concerns and existing zoning regulations.

The Julie Butcher zoning amendment represents the type of local land use decision that often generates the most public interest and debate in municipal government, as these decisions can significantly impact neighborhood character, property values, and community development patterns.

Julie Butcher Zoning Map Amendment & Edgemore Subdivision

1:00:00 The Planning Commission considered agenda item PLN-MAR-19-00016, a zoning map amendment request to change properties at 1918 and 1922 Nicholasville Road from Single Family Residential (R-1C) to Professional Office (P-1) zoning.

The proposal involved rezoning these two properties to allow for professional office use rather than the current single-family residential designation. Key speakers during the discussion included Hal Baillie, Nathan Billings, and Jessica Winters, who presented various aspects of the zoning amendment request and the associated Edgemore Subdivision proposal.

The commission reviewed the merits of converting the residential properties to professional office zoning, which would have permitted different types of commercial and professional uses on the Nicholasville Road corridor. The discussion likely covered topics such as compatibility with surrounding land uses, traffic impacts, and adherence to the comprehensive plan for the area.

After consideration of the proposal and input from the speakers, the Planning Commission ultimately denied the zoning map amendment request. The denial means the properties at 1918 and 1922 Nicholasville Road will retain their current Single Family Residential (R-1C) zoning designation, and the associated Edgemore Subdivision plans tied to the professional office zoning will not move forward as proposed.

The decision reflects the commission's determination that the requested zoning change was not appropriate for these particular properties at this time, maintaining the residential character of the area rather than allowing the transition to professional office use.

Lexington Habitat for Humanity Zoning Map Amendment & Perry Street Townhomes

5:30:00

The Planning Commission considered ordinance PLN-MAR-19-00017, a zoning map amendment request from Lexington Habitat for Humanity to rezone properties on Perry Street from Single Family Residential (R-1D) to Planned Neighborhood Residential (R-3) to enable construction of townhomes.

Key speakers during the discussion included Hal Baillie, Tom Martin, and Kevin Phillips, who presented details about the proposed development and addressed questions from commissioners.

The zoning change would allow Habitat for Humanity to develop affordable townhome units on the Perry Street properties, which currently carry single-family residential zoning that would not permit the proposed higher-density housing type. The R-3 Planned Neighborhood Residential designation would provide the necessary flexibility for the townhome development while maintaining compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood character.

The commission reviewed the proposal's alignment with the city's comprehensive plan and housing goals, particularly regarding affordable housing initiatives. The discussion covered topics such as density considerations, neighborhood compatibility, and the project's contribution to Lexington's affordable housing stock.

Following the presentation and discussion of the zoning amendment request, the Planning Commission approved PLN-MAR-19-00017, allowing the rezoning to proceed. This approval enables Lexington Habitat for Humanity to move forward with their plans to develop affordable townhomes on the Perry Street properties, supporting the organization's mission to provide homeownership opportunities for qualifying families in the Lexington area.