Urban County Council Zone Change

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government held a meeting on February 11, 2020, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Vice Mayor Kay presiding. The meeting focused on a single agenda item regarding a Zone Change Ordinance, which was ultimately denied by the council. During the session, the council heard from three members of the public who provided comments on the matter under consideration. The meeting concluded with one formal vote taken on the zoning ordinance, resulting in its denial.

Attendance

The meeting on February 11, 2020 had ten members present and three absent.

Present: • Reynolds • Bledsoe • J. Brown • Ellinger • Evans • Farmer • Gibbs • Lamb • McCurn • Mossotti

Absent: • Worley • F. Brown • Moloney

No members arrived late to the meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The council conducted one recorded vote during the February 11, 2020 meeting.

Ordinance 0031-20 9:42 Vice Mayor Kay motioned to approve an ordinance changing the zone from a High Density Apartment (R-4) zone to a Downtown Frame Business (B-2A) zone. Council member Farmer seconded the motion.

The ordinance failed on a roll call vote with 3 ayes and 8 nays.

Voting in favor (3): • Evans • McCurn • Mossotti

Voting against (8): • Reynolds • J. Brown • Ellinger • Farmer • Gibbs • Kay • Lamb • Plomin

The zoning change ordinance did not receive sufficient support to pass, with the majority of council members voting against the proposed rezoning from residential high-density apartment use to downtown frame business use.

Public Comment

Three speakers addressed the board during the public comment period, all expressing opposition to a proposed development project 6:56.

Matthew Brooks spoke against the development, raising concerns about the precedent it might establish for other areas throughout the town. Brooks specifically highlighted his opposition to replacing multiple existing structures with a single large development, suggesting this could fundamentally alter the area's character.

Robin Michler also opposed the development project, focusing on the importance of preserving the neighborhood's existing character. Michler expressed particular concern about the potential negative impact of a large parking garage that would be part of the development, arguing that such a structure would be incompatible with the surrounding area.

Brittany Sams represented the Bluegrass Trust for Historic Preservation in speaking against the proposal. Sams opposed both the requested zone change and the planned demolition of historic properties that would be required for the development to proceed. Her comments emphasized the historical significance of the structures that would be lost if the project moves forward.

All three speakers presented arguments centered on preservation themes - whether of neighborhood character, development patterns, or historic structures. The public comments reflected unified opposition to the development proposal from both individual residents and organized preservation advocacy groups.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one significant contested item that drew substantial community opposition.

Zone Change from R-4 to B-2A

A proposed zone change from R-4 (residential) to B-2A (business) classification generated considerable controversy during the meeting. The community raised multiple concerns about the proposed development, focusing on three primary areas of opposition.

Residents expressed concerns about the scale of the proposed development, arguing that the project would be too large for the existing neighborhood context. Community members also raised historic preservation issues, suggesting that the development could negatively impact the area's historical character and significance.

Additionally, opponents cited broader neighborhood character concerns, contending that changing the zoning from residential to business use would fundamentally alter the nature of their community in ways they viewed as detrimental.

The significant community opposition highlighted the tension between development interests and neighborhood preservation priorities. Residents appeared unified in their concerns about how the zone change would affect their area's residential character, historic value, and overall livability.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps, participant names, and the final outcome of this contested item were not available in the provided meeting data.*

Zone Change Ordinance

9:42

The council considered Ordinance 0031-20, a proposal to rezone properties on East Maxwell Street and Stone Avenue from High Density Apartment (R-4) to Downtown Frame Business (B-2A). The ordinance faced substantial community opposition during the meeting.

Vice Mayor Kay participated in the discussion of the zoning change proposal. Several community members spoke during the public comment period, including Traci Wade, Jon Woodall, and Jessica Winters, who raised concerns about the proposed rezoning.

The rezoning would have allowed for different types of commercial development in an area currently zoned for high-density residential use. The Downtown Frame Business (B-2A) designation typically permits a mix of commercial and residential uses appropriate for areas adjacent to downtown districts.

Community opposition centered on concerns about the impact of changing the zoning classification from residential to commercial use. The speakers who addressed the council expressed objections to the proposed zoning change, though the specific details of their concerns were not detailed in the available materials.

Following the public input and council discussion, the ordinance was ultimately denied. The properties on East Maxwell Street and Stone Avenue will retain their current High Density Apartment (R-4) zoning designation.

The denial of Ordinance 0031-20 represents the council's response to community input opposing the zoning change from residential to commercial use in this particular area of the city.