Urban County Council Zone Change

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government held a meeting on August 17, 2021, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky. Vice Mayor Kay presided over the session. The council considered one agenda item during the meeting: Ordinance 0510-21 Zone Change, which was approved. The body took one motion and vote during the session and heard three public comments from members of the community.

Attendance

Present: Reynolds, Sheehan, Baxter, Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Kloiber, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, and Vice Mayor Kay

Absent: Worley, Plomin, and LeGris

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

Ordinance 0510-21 2:11:23

The council voted on an ordinance to change the zoning designation for property located at 1009 and 1017 Wellington Way from Neighborhood Business (B-1) zone to High Density Apartment (R-4) zone. The motion was made by J. Brown and seconded by Ellinger.

The ordinance passed by roll call vote with 9 ayes and 3 nays.

Voting in favor (9): Reynolds, Sheehan, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Kay, Kloiber, McCurn, and Moloney

Voting against (3): Baxter, Bledsoe, and Lamb

Public Comment

Three members of the public provided comments during the meeting, expressing concerns about a proposed zone change and development project.

Michael Walsh 44:54 opposed the zone change, arguing that the proposed development does not complement the area and violates design policies.

Doug Martin 57:39 raised concerns about traffic impacts and questioned the appropriateness of high-density residential zoning for the area.

Bryan Willett 1:05:45 expressed concerns that the proposed development would disrupt the suburban ambiance and family-friendly environment of the neighborhood.

Contested Items

Zone Change for Wellington Way

A proposed zone change for Wellington Way generated significant community opposition during the meeting. Community members expressed concerns about multiple impacts of the proposed change, including increased traffic, building height, and broader effects on the neighborhood character.

The disagreement centered on how the zone change would affect the Wellington Way area, with residents raising objections to the development plans associated with the change. The primary concerns focused on:

• Traffic impacts from the proposed development
• Building height and its effect on the neighborhood
• Overall neighborhood impact and character preservation

The meeting record does not indicate a final resolution or outcome decision regarding the zone change proposal at this time.

Ordinance 0510-21 Zone Change

The council considered an ordinance to rezone property located at 1009 and 1017 Wellington Way from a Neighborhood Business (B-1) zone to a High Density Apartment (R-4) zone. 5:01

The proposal involves development of a four-story residential building containing 88 units on the rezoned property.

Key speakers on this item included Traci Wade, Jon Woodall, Michael Walsh, Doug Martin, and Bryan Willett.

The ordinance was approved.