Board of Adjustment - Special Meeting Part 2

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Adjustment convened on June 28, 2022, at 1:34 PM in the Council Chambers at 200 East Main Street in Lexington, Kentucky, with Thomas Glover presiding as the meeting officer. The board addressed one primary agenda item during the session: a conditional use appeal submitted by Anderson Communities, Inc., which was ultimately approved. The meeting included one formal vote and heard from three members of the public who provided comments on the matter under consideration. The proceedings focused exclusively on the conditional use appeal, demonstrating a targeted session dedicated to resolving this specific zoning matter for Anderson Communities, Inc.

Attendance

The following members were present at the meeting on June 28, 2022:

Present: • Raquel Carter • Harry Clarke • Thomas Glover • Branden Gross • Chad Needham • Chad Walker • Joan Whitman

All seven members were in attendance with no absences or late arrivals recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included one formal vote on a conditional use permit application.

Conditional Use Permit for Outdoor Recreational Facilities

5:07 The board voted on approval of a conditional use permit for outdoor recreational facilities, specifically soccer fields, requested by Anderson Communities, Inc. Branden Gross made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Joan Whitman.

The motion passed by a roll call vote of 6-1-0:

Voting in favor (6): - Raquel Carter - Harry Clarke - Thomas Glover - Branden Gross - Chad Needham - Joan Whitman

Voting against (1): - Chad Walker

Abstentions: None

The approval came with conditions including restrictions on hours of operation, tournament limitations, and traffic management requirements. The specific details of these conditions were incorporated into the final approval of the conditional use permit for the soccer field development project.

Public Comment

Three speakers addressed the meeting during the public comment period, all expressing opposition to a proposed soccer field development project.

Martha Jane Mulholland 0:03 spoke first, voicing concerns about the impact of the soccer field development on the area's unique soil characteristics and the local horse industry. Mulholland argued that the land should remain dedicated to equine activities rather than being converted for soccer use.

Bruce Simpson 0:20 addressed the meeting on behalf of the Fayette Alliance, presenting opposition to the proposed soccer fields. Simpson argued that the development would constitute a commercial use that is inappropriate for the current agricultural zoning of the area. He expressed concern that approving this project could establish a dangerous precedent that would open the door for additional development in agriculturally zoned areas.

Boyd Browning 1:00 focused his comments on the potential impact the soccer field development would have on Fasig Tipton, a horse auction facility located near the proposed site. Browning raised concerns about how soccer tournaments would affect traffic patterns in the area and potentially disrupt the operations of the auction house, which is an established business in the equine industry.

All three speakers shared a common theme of protecting the area's agricultural character and existing horse industry operations from what they viewed as incompatible commercial development. Their comments highlighted concerns about zoning appropriateness, traffic impacts, and the preservation of the region's equine heritage.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one primary contested item that generated significant community debate.

Conditional Use Permit for Soccer Fields

The proposed conditional use permit for soccer fields faced substantial opposition from community members and local organizations. The primary concerns centered on the potential impact the development would have on existing agricultural land and the local horse industry.

Community opposition emerged from residents and stakeholders who argued that converting agricultural land for recreational use would negatively affect the area's farming operations and established equestrian activities. The nature of the opposition suggests concerns about land use compatibility and the preservation of the community's agricultural character.

Multiple community members and organizations participated in voicing their objections to the proposal, though the specific outcome of this contested item was not detailed in the available meeting materials. The level of opposition indicates this was a significant land use issue that required careful consideration of competing community interests between recreational development and agricultural preservation.

The debate highlighted tensions between development pressures for recreational facilities and the community's desire to maintain its agricultural and equestrian heritage. Such conflicts are common in areas experiencing growth pressure where traditional land uses face competition from new development proposals.

Conditional Use Appeal - Anderson Communities, Inc.

0:10

The board reviewed agenda item II.B.1, a conditional use permit request submitted by Anderson Communities, Inc. for outdoor recreational facilities, specifically soccer fields, to be constructed on property located at 2501 Russell Cave Road.

Staff presented their analysis and recommended approval of the conditional use permit with specific conditions attached. The proposal involves developing soccer fields as outdoor recreational facilities on the designated property.

Key speakers during the discussion included Thomas Glover, Branden Gross, Raquel Carter, Bruce Simpson, and Boyd Browning. These participants engaged in deliberations regarding the merits of the application and the appropriateness of the proposed use for the location.

The board considered various aspects of the proposal, including the suitability of soccer fields at the Russell Cave Road location and the conditions recommended by staff to ensure proper development and operation of the recreational facilities.

Following discussion among the board members and input from the key speakers, the board voted to approve the conditional use permit for Anderson Communities, Inc. The approval includes the conditions recommended by staff, which will govern the development and operation of the outdoor recreational facilities.

This approval allows Anderson Communities, Inc. to proceed with their plans for soccer field development at 2501 Russell Cave Road, subject to compliance with the specified conditions attached to the permit.