Planning Commission Subdivision Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission convened on January 13, 2022, at 1:31 PM in the 2nd Floor Council Chambers of the Government Center at 200 E. Main Street in Lexington, Kentucky, with Larry Forester presiding. The commission addressed five agenda items during the session, all of which received approval, including development projects such as the Steele Property, Belldale Addition, Masterson Station Center (Citation Village/Citation Flats amendment), and Yellman's Subdivision for Powerhouse Church of God and Blackburn Development. The commission also approved an amendment to Article 1 regarding barber shops and beauty salons. Throughout the meeting, the commission conducted seven motions and votes, while hearing three public comments from attendees.

Attendance

The following members were present at the January 13, 2022 meeting:

• Zach Davis
• Larry Forester
• Jan Meyer
• Robin Michler
• Bruce Nicol
• Graham Pohl
• Judy Worth

Four members were absent from the meeting:

• Ivy Barksdale
• Headley Bell
• Anthony de Movellan
• Frank Penn

No members arrived late to the meeting.

Seven of eleven total members were in attendance, constituting a quorum for conducting official business.

Votes and Decisions

The commission took action on seven items during the January 13, 2022 meeting, with all seven commissioners present and voting.

Postponements

Two items were postponed unanimously 0:00:

• PLN-MJDP-21-00067 - Newtown Springs, Unit 1, Lot 2 (AMD) was postponed on a motion by Mr. Pohl, seconded by Ms. Worth (7-0)

• PLN-MJDP-21-00050 - Ramsey/Sullivan Property, Lot 4 (AMD) was postponed on a motion by Ms. Worth, seconded by Mr. Pohl (7-0)

Final Record Plat Approvals

Three final record plats received unanimous approval 0:00:

• PLN-FRP-21-00039 - Steele Property final record plat was approved on a motion by Ms. Meyer, seconded by Ms. Worth (7-0), subject to 12 conditions as listed on the agenda

• PLN-FRP-21-00047 - Belldale Addition final record plat was approved on a motion by Mr. Pohl, seconded by Ms. Worth (7-0), subject to 15 conditions as listed on the agenda

• PLN-FRP-21-00049 - Masterson Station Center (Citation Village) (Citation Flats) (AMD) final record plat was approved on a motion by Ms. Worth, seconded by Ms. Meyer (7-0), subject to 14 conditions as listed on the agenda

Major Subdivision Approval

• PLN-MJDP-21-00069 - Yellman's Subdivision (Powerhouse Church of God) (Blackburn Development) was approved on a motion by Mr. Nicol, seconded by Mr. Davis (4-3) 0:00. Voting in favor: Zach Davis, Larry Forester, Bruce Nicol, and Judy Worth. Voting against: Jan Meyer, Robin Michler, and Graham Pohl. The approval included 14 conditions including lighting restrictions.

Zoning Text Amendment

• PLN-ZOTA-21-00006 - Amendment to Article 1: Barber Shops and Beauty Salons was approved unanimously on a motion by Mr. Nicol, seconded by Ms. Worth (7-0) 0:00.

Public Comment

Three residents spoke during the public comment period, all expressing opposition to a development plan under consideration 0:00.

Jessica Winters spoke first, representing Mark Clar in objecting to the development plan. Winters raised specific concerns about the parking agreement associated with the project and requested that street parking cutouts be removed from the proposal 0:00.

Mark Clar followed with his own comments regarding the same development plan. Clar focused on the potential parking and traffic impacts the development would have on the surrounding area. He emphasized the importance of conducting a traffic study to properly assess these impacts before moving forward with the project 0:00.

Faith Harders also spoke in opposition to the development plan. Harders argued that the proposed development was not compatible with the existing neighborhood character and urged the board to reconsider the project entirely 0:00.

All three speakers presented concerns about different aspects of the same development proposal, with parking, traffic impacts, and neighborhood compatibility being the primary issues raised during the public comment period.

Appointments

The meeting included one appointment action:

• Ivy Barksdale was appointed to the Floodplain Appeals Committee

No additional details about the appointment terms, voting results, or background information were provided in the available meeting materials.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one contested item that resulted in a split vote among board members.

Yellman's Subdivision Development Plan faced significant opposition during deliberations. The primary concerns raised centered on neighborhood compatibility and parking adequacy for the proposed development. Board members were divided on whether the plan met the necessary standards and requirements for approval in the existing neighborhood context.

The disagreement focused on two main issues: first, whether the proposed development would be compatible with the character and scale of the surrounding neighborhood, and second, whether the parking provisions included in the plan would be sufficient to serve the development without creating problems for nearby residents.

The debate resulted in a split vote, indicating that board members could not reach consensus on the application. The specific vote tally and individual positions of board members were not detailed in the available materials, but the split decision suggests the concerns raised were substantial enough to prevent unanimous approval.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps are not available for this meeting's contested items discussion.*

Steele Property

The Planning Commission reviewed the final record plat for the Steele Property under case number PLN-FRP-21-00039 0:00. Tom Martin served as the key speaker for this agenda item.

The discussion centered on the final record plat submission for the Steele Property development. During the review process, concerns were raised regarding a cemetery boundary study that needed to be addressed as part of the approval process.

The commission examined the details of the proposed plat and worked through the issues related to the cemetery boundary study. This study was apparently a requirement to ensure proper identification and protection of any cemetery boundaries that might affect the development of the property.

After discussion and consideration of all relevant factors, including the resolution of concerns about the cemetery boundary study, the Planning Commission approved the final record plat for the Steele Property.

The approval allows the development to move forward with the platting process, having satisfied the necessary requirements including the cemetery boundary study that had initially raised concerns during the review.

Belldale Addition

The Planning Commission reviewed the final record plat for Belldale Addition (PLN-FRP-21-00047) during the meeting 0:00. Tom Martin served as the key speaker presenting this agenda item.

The discussion centered on the final record plat submission for the Belldale Addition development project. As part of the review process, the Commission addressed specific conditions that needed to be met for approval, including matters related to zoning compliance and driveway encroachment issues.

The driveway encroachment condition was identified as a particular area of focus during the deliberations, indicating that the proposed development's access points required careful consideration to ensure they met municipal standards and regulations.

Following the presentation and discussion of the technical requirements and conditions, the Planning Commission approved the final record plat for Belldale Addition. This approval allows the development to proceed to the next phase of the permitting and construction process, contingent upon meeting all specified conditions related to zoning and the resolution of driveway encroachment concerns.

The approval represents the completion of the platting review process for this residential development project, enabling the subdivision of land according to the approved plat configuration.

Masterson Station Center (Citation Village) (Citation Flats) (AMD)

0:00

The Planning Commission reviewed agenda item PLN-FRP-21-00049, the final record plat for Masterson Station Center, also known as Citation Village or Citation Flats, as an administrative matter (AMD).

Cheryl Gallt served as the key speaker for this item, presenting the final record plat to the commission for consideration. The discussion focused on the plat's compliance with applicable regulations and any conditions that needed to be addressed before final approval.

The commission examined conditions related to access easements that were required as part of the development approval. These easements were necessary to ensure proper access and circulation within the development and to adjacent properties. The plat was also reviewed for compliance with various municipal regulations and development standards.

Following the presentation and discussion, the Planning Commission approved the final record plat for Masterson Station Center. The approval allows the development to proceed with the subdivision as platted, subject to meeting all specified conditions and regulatory requirements.

This administrative approval represents a procedural step in the development process, confirming that the final plat meets the technical and legal requirements established during the initial approval phases of the project.

Yellman's Subdivision (Powerhouse Church of God) (Blackburn Development)

0:00

The planning commission reviewed development plan PLN-MJDP-21-00069 for Yellman's Subdivision, a project by Blackburn Development for the Powerhouse Church of God.

Key speakers Tom Martin and Richard Murphy presented details and addressed questions during the discussion. The commission examined various aspects of the proposed development, with particular attention given to three main areas of concern.

Lighting emerged as a significant discussion point, with commissioners evaluating the proposed illumination plans and their potential impact on surrounding areas. The adequacy and configuration of parking facilities also drew scrutiny, as members assessed whether the proposed parking would meet the needs of the development while maintaining appropriate standards.

Neighborhood compatibility represented the third major concern, with discussion focusing on how well the proposed development would integrate with existing surrounding properties and land uses. Commissioners considered factors such as scale, design elements, and overall impact on the character of the area.

Following the presentation and discussion of these concerns, the commission deliberated on the merits of the development proposal. After considering all aspects of the plan, including the lighting arrangements, parking provisions, and compatibility with the neighborhood context, the commission reached a decision.

The development plan for Yellman's Subdivision was ultimately approved by the commission, indicating that any concerns raised during the discussion were either adequately addressed or deemed acceptable within the parameters of local planning requirements and standards.

Amendment to Article 1: Barber Shops and Beauty Salons

0:00

The Planning Commission considered ordinance PLN-ZOTA-21-00006, an amendment to Article 1 that would allow barber shops and beauty salons to operate as home-based businesses.

Jim Duncan served as the key speaker for this agenda item, presenting the proposed amendment to the commission members.

The amendment represents a change to existing zoning regulations that would expand the types of personal service businesses permitted to operate from residential properties. Under the proposed changes, licensed barbers and cosmetologists would be able to provide their services from home-based locations, subject to applicable zoning and business licensing requirements.

The commission approved the amendment, allowing barber shops and beauty salons to be classified as permissible home-based businesses. This approval will enable entrepreneurs in the personal care industry to operate these services from their residences, potentially reducing overhead costs and providing more flexible business opportunities for licensed professionals.

The ordinance amendment will need to proceed through the standard municipal approval process following the Planning Commission's favorable recommendation.