Planning Commission Meeting Subdivision Items

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission convened on September 8, 2022, at 1:31 PM in the Council Chambers of the Urban County Government Building at 200 East Main Street in Lexington, Kentucky, with Larry Forester presiding as the meeting officer. The commission addressed six agenda items during the session, all of which received approval, including development projects such as Lakeview Estates Unit 2-B, Wood Farms, Coldstream Research Campus Unit 2-B, Highwood Center Lot 2-A (Walmart), Hymson Properties Lots 7-15, and Haynes Brothers Properties LLC. The meeting involved eight motions and votes throughout the proceedings, demonstrating active deliberation on the various development proposals before the commission. Two members of the public provided comments during the public comment period, contributing community input to the planning process.

Attendance

The following members were present at the September 8, 2022 meeting:

• Larry Forester
• Frank Penn
• Judy Worth
• Robin Michler
• Headley Bell
• Graham Pohl
• Ivy Barksdale

No members were absent from the meeting.

Ivy Barksdale arrived late to the meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included eight motions, all of which passed unanimously with all six members voting in favor.

Minutes Approval 0:30 Judy Worth motioned to approve the August 11, 2022 minutes, seconded by Frank Penn. The motion passed unanimously 6-0 with votes from Larry Forester, Frank Penn, Judy Worth, Robin Michler, Headley Bell, and Graham Pohl.

Performance Bonds and Letters of Credit 1:30 Frank Penn motioned to approve performance bonds and letters of credit, seconded by Graham Pohl. The motion passed unanimously 6-0.

Development Projects Three development projects received approval with conditions:

• Sebastian Property, Unit 3-F (PLN-FRP-22-00031) 5:30: Judy Worth motioned for approval with 11 conditions and granting of a waiver to Article 4-5(b) of the Land Subdivision Regulations, seconded by Headley Bell. Passed unanimously 6-0.

• Shriners Hospital / Masonic Temple Association (PLN-MJDP-21-00055) 15:30: Frank Penn motioned for approval with 19 revised conditions, seconded by Headley Bell. Passed unanimously 6-0.

• Featheridge Park, Unit 5-A and 5-B (PLN-MJDP-22-00041) 25:30: Headley Bell motioned for approval with 19 conditions, including changes to conditions 11 and 18, seconded by Frank Penn. Passed unanimously 6-0.

• Town Branch Park (PLN-MJDP-22-00046) 35:30: Headley Bell motioned for approval with 17 conditions, seconded by Frank Penn. Passed unanimously 6-0.

Administrative Matters Frank Penn motioned to cancel the September 29, 2022 work session 45:30, seconded by Judy Worth. The amendment passed unanimously 6-0.

Finally, Frank Penn motioned to initiate a Zoning Ordinance text amendment to transfer enforcement functions 50:30. This motion passed unanimously 6-0 without a recorded second.

Public Comment

Two speakers addressed the commission during the public comment period, both representing the Palomar Hills Community Association regarding the same development project.

Nathan Billings 20:30 spoke on behalf of the Palomar Hills Community Association, expressing appreciation for the collaborative approach taken by the developer and city staff. Billings specifically thanked them for working with the neighborhood to address connectivity concerns and ride in/ride out issues related to the proposed development.

Sam Dunn 22:30 also represented the Palomar Hills Community Association and thanked the commission for allowing neighborhood input in the development process. Dunn emphasized the critical importance of implementing the ride in/ride out solution that had been discussed between the community and the developer.

Both speakers appeared supportive of the project, focusing their comments on acknowledging the cooperative efforts between the developer, city staff, and the neighborhood association to resolve transportation and access concerns. The ride in/ride out solution appeared to be a key component that addressed the community's primary concerns about the development's impact on neighborhood connectivity.

Lakeview Estates, Unit 2-B, Block K, Lot 3

2:30

The planning commission reviewed application PLN-FRP-22-00029 for an amended final record plat at Lakeview Estates, Unit 2-B, Block K, Lot 3. The proposal involves subdividing one existing lot into six separate lots and dedicating necessary easements.

Traci Wade presented the application to the commission. The amended plat represents a modification to the previously approved subdivision layout for this portion of the Lakeview Estates development.

The commission discussed the technical aspects of the subdivision, including lot configurations and easement dedications required for utilities and access. The proposal was evaluated against applicable zoning and subdivision regulations.

Following review and discussion, the planning commission recommended approval of the amended final record plat with conditions. The specific conditions of approval were not detailed in the available materials but would typically address items such as utility connections, drainage requirements, and compliance with development standards.

The approval allows the property owner to proceed with the subdivision process, creating six buildable lots from the original single parcel while ensuring proper easements are established for future development and municipal services.

Wood Farms

The Planning Commission reviewed application PLN-FRP-22-00030 for Wood Farms, a plat proposal to create 3 agricultural lots from 2 existing lots 3:30.

Traci Wade served as the key speaker presenting this agenda item to the commission. The proposal involved subdividing the current property configuration to establish three separate agricultural lots where two currently exist.

Staff recommended approval of the Wood Farms plat application, contingent upon certain conditions being met. The specific conditions for approval were not detailed in the available materials, but the recommendation indicated the proposal met the necessary requirements for agricultural subdivision under the applicable zoning and development standards.

The commission ultimately approved the Wood Farms application following the staff recommendation. No significant concerns or opposition were noted during the discussion of this item.

This approval allows the property owner to proceed with the subdivision process to create the three agricultural lots as proposed in the application materials.

Coldstream Research Campus, Unit 2-B, Section 1, Lot 26

4:30

The commission reviewed agenda item PLN-MJDP-20-00013, an amended final development plan for the Piramal Pharma Solution Expansion Project located at Coldstream Research Campus, Unit 2-B, Section 1, Lot 26.

Traci Wade served as the key speaker presenting the item to the commission. The discussion centered on the proposed amendments to the final development plan for Piramal Pharma's expansion project within the Coldstream Research Campus development.

The commission considered the amended development plan, which involved modifications to the previously approved project scope for the pharmaceutical company's expansion at the specified lot location. The item was presented as a discussion item requiring commission review and action.

Following the presentation and discussion, the commission voted to approve the amended final development plan with conditions. The approval allows Piramal Pharma Solutions to proceed with their expansion project at the Coldstream Research Campus location, subject to meeting the specified conditions attached to the approval.

The item was recommended for approval with conditions, and the commission ultimately voted to approve the amended final development plan as presented.

Highwood Center, Lot 2-A (Walmart)

5:00

The commission reviewed an amended development plan for the Walmart location at 500 W. New Circle Road under case number PLN-MJDP-21-00029. Traci Wade served as the key speaker presenting the item to the commission.

The proposal involved modifications to the existing Highwood Center development plan specifically for Lot 2-A, which houses the Walmart store. The amended plan required commission review and approval to proceed with the proposed changes to the site.

Following discussion of the amended development plan, the commission voted to approve the item with conditions. The re-approval allows the development to move forward under the modified parameters while ensuring compliance with applicable planning requirements and standards.

The approval represents a continuation of the existing commercial development at this New Circle Road location, with the amended plan addressing updates or changes to the original development parameters for the Walmart site within the larger Highwood Center project.

Hymson Properties, Lots 7-15

6:00

The board reviewed an amended final development plan for Hymson Properties, Lots 7-15, designated as case PLN-MJDP-22-00040. The proposal involved revising the development plan for two lots within the property.

Traci Wade served as the key speaker presenting this agenda item to the board. The discussion centered on modifications to the previously approved development plan, though specific details of the proposed changes were not detailed in the available materials.

The planning staff had reviewed the amended development plan and provided a recommendation for approval, contingent upon certain conditions being met. These conditions were not specified in the summary materials but would typically address compliance with zoning requirements, infrastructure needs, or other regulatory standards.

Following the presentation and any board discussion, the item was approved as recommended. The approval allows Hymson Properties to proceed with their revised development plan for the two lots, subject to fulfilling the conditions established by the planning staff.

This approval represents the completion of the review process for the amended development plan, enabling the property owner to move forward with their modified development proposal.

Haynes Brothers Properties, LLC

7:00

The commission reviewed an amended final development plan for Haynes Brothers Properties, LLC under case number PLN-MJDP-22-00049. The proposal involved modifications to reduce the total number of dwelling units in the development and reconfigure the layout of buildings and off-street parking areas.

Traci Wade served as the key speaker presenting the item to the commission. The amended plan represented changes from the previously approved development proposal, with the applicant seeking to scale back the project's density while reorganizing the site design to better accommodate parking and building placement.

Staff recommended approval of the amended final development plan, contingent upon specific conditions being met by the developer. The modifications were presented as improvements to the original design that would address site constraints and operational considerations.

The commission approved the amended final development plan with the recommended conditions. The approval allows Haynes Brothers Properties, LLC to proceed with the revised development configuration, which features fewer residential units than initially proposed and an updated site layout that repositions buildings and parking areas according to the new design specifications.