Planning Commission Subdivision Items

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission convened on October 13, 2022, at 1:30 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 five agenda items during the session, all of which were approved, demonstrating a productive meeting focused on various development and housing projects throughout the area. The commission conducted 10 motions and votes throughout the proceedings, indicating thorough deliberation on the matters before them. No public comments were heard during this meeting, allowing the commission to focus entirely on the business items at hand.

The approved agenda items covered a diverse range of development projects, including residential subdivisions and apartment complexes. These included the Winburn Land Company Inc., Unit 3 (Kingston Hall) project, Hillenmeyer Apartments (Artisan Apartments), Lexingtonian Estates (The Silks Club), a combined item addressing Collins, Orell, & Wiggens, Lot 1-3 (DFAutoMall) and Poole & Jefferson Property (Bruce Glen), and the Bluegrass Aspendale project by the Lexington Fayette Urban County Housing Authority. The unanimous approval of all five agenda items suggests the commission found the proposed developments met the necessary planning and zoning requirements for the community.

Attendance

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

• Larry Forester
• Frank Penn
• Judy Worth
• Zach Davis
• Anthony de Movellan
• Janice Meyer
• Graham Pohl
• Robin Michler
• Ivy Barksdale
• Headley Bell

All ten members attended the meeting. Ivy Barksdale arrived late to the proceedings.

No members were absent from the meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included ten formal votes, with most items receiving unanimous approval or postponement.

Minutes and Administrative Items

The commission approved the September 8, 2022 minutes by roll call vote 0:30. Frank Penn motioned and Judy Worth seconded the approval, which passed 7-0 with 2 abstentions. Voting in favor were Larry Forester, Frank Penn, Judy Worth, Anthony de Movellan, Graham Pohl, Robin Michler, and Headley Bell.

The approval of performance bonds and letters of credit passed unanimously 10-0 1:30, with Frank Penn making the motion and Anthony de Movellan providing the second.

Project Postponements

Five development projects were postponed to November 10, 2022, all by unanimous 10-0 votes:

• PLN-MJDP-22-00058 - CRESTWOOD MONTESSOURI SCHOOL (REDWOOD CO-OP SCHOOL EXPANSION) 2:30, motioned by Zach Davis and seconded by Judy Worth

• PLN-MJDP-22-00051 - NEWTOWN SPRINGS, LOTS 7 & 8 3:30, motioned by Frank Penn and seconded by Anthony de Movellan

• PLN-MJDP-22-00055 - COWGILL PARTNERS, LP PROPERTY (MEADOWCREST) 4:30, motioned by Janice Meyer and seconded by Anthony de Movellan

• PLN-MJDP-22-00052 - SAND LAKE AND ESTES PROPERTIES, LOT 5 5:30, motioned by Graham Pohl and seconded by Ivy Barksdale

One project received indefinite postponement: PLN-MJDP-22-00045 - DISTILLERY DISTRICT WEST (U-HAUL, LEXINGTON) 6:30, unanimously approved 10-0 with Frank Penn's motion and Anthony de Movellan's second.

Approvals

The consent agenda passed unanimously 10-0 7:30, with Anthony de Movellan motioning and Graham Pohl seconding.

PLN-FRP-22-00034 - BLUEGRASS ASPENDALE, LEXINGTON FAYETTE URBAN COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY received unanimous approval 10-0 8:30, along with its associated waiver 9:30. Both items were motioned by Anthony de Movellan and seconded by Ivy Barksdale.

All ten commissioners participated in the unanimous votes: Larry Forester, Frank Penn, Judy Worth, Zach Davis, Anthony de Movellan, Janice Meyer, Graham Pohl, Robin Michler, Ivy Barksdale, and Headley Bell.

WINBURN LAND COMPANY INC., UNIT 3 (KINGSTON HALL)

7:00

The planning commission reviewed agenda item PLN-MJDP-17-00097 for Winburn Land Company Inc., Unit 3 (Kingston Hall), which involved a request for an extension of a previously approved development plan.

The original plan for this project was approved on October 26, 2017. The applicant submitted a request to extend the approval timeline for the development, which is a standard procedure when projects experience delays that prevent completion within the original approval period.

Traci Wade served as the key speaker during the discussion of this agenda item. The presentation focused on the extension request and the current status of the Kingston Hall development project.

The planning commission approved the extension request, allowing Winburn Land Company Inc. to proceed with Unit 3 of the Kingston Hall development under the terms of the original 2017 approval. This approval enables the applicant to move forward with the project without needing to resubmit a completely new development application, provided they continue to meet the conditions and requirements established in the original approval.

The extension approval maintains continuity for the development project while acknowledging the practical challenges that can affect project timelines in real estate development.

HILLENMEYER APARTMENTS (ARTISAN APARTMENTS)

7:00

The commission reviewed agenda item PLN-MJDP-22-00050 for the Hillenmeyer Apartments, also known as Artisan Apartments. The proposal involves adding two apartment buildings with 48 dwelling units and associated parking spaces to the development.

Traci Wade served as the key speaker presenting the project details to the commission. The discussion focused on the planned residential expansion, which would bring additional housing units to the area through the construction of the two new apartment buildings.

The commission evaluated the development proposal, considering factors such as the number of dwelling units, parking accommodations, and overall site planning for the 48-unit addition. The project represents a significant residential development that would expand housing options in the community.

Following the presentation and discussion, the commission approved the Hillenmeyer Apartments (Artisan Apartments) proposal, allowing the development to move forward with the construction of the two apartment buildings and their associated infrastructure.

LEXINGTONIAN ESTATES (THE SILKS CLUB)

7:00

The planning commission reviewed agenda item PLN-MJDP-22-00053 for Lexingtonian Estates (The Silks Club), which involved amendments to an existing development plan.

Traci Wade presented the proposed changes, which included three main modifications to the current development:

• Relocation of the swimming pool within the development
• Addition of three new dwelling units to the project
• Updates to various plan notes and documentation

The amendment represented adjustments to the previously approved development plans for this residential project. The discussion focused on the technical aspects of relocating the pool facility and incorporating the additional housing units into the existing site design.

The planning commission considered the proposed modifications and their impact on the overall development layout. The changes appeared to be administrative and design-related improvements to enhance the project's functionality and residential capacity.

Following the presentation and discussion of the amendment details, the planning commission voted to approve PLN-MJDP-22-00053. The approval allows the developer to proceed with the relocated swimming pool, construct the three additional dwelling units, and implement the updated plan notes as presented.

The Lexingtonian Estates project can now move forward with these approved modifications to the original development plan.

COLLINS, ORELL, & WIGGENS, LOT 1-3 (DFAUTOMALL) AND POOLE & JEFFERSON PROPERTY (BRUCE GLEN)

7:00

The commission reviewed agenda item PLN-MJDP-22-00054, which involved an amendment for the redevelopment of properties owned by Collins, Orell, & Wiggens (Lots 1-3, DFAutoMall) and Poole & Jefferson (Bruce Glen property).

Traci Wade presented the proposal, which calls for the construction of two structures totaling 51,315 square feet along with associated parking and vehicle display areas. The amendment would allow for the redevelopment of the existing properties to accommodate what appears to be automotive-related commercial use, given the reference to "DFAutoMall" and the inclusion of vehicle display areas in the plans.

The proposal represents a significant development project that would transform the current use of the properties. The two planned structures would provide substantial commercial space, while the parking and vehicle display components suggest the development is designed to support automotive sales or related business operations.

Following the presentation and any discussion, the commission approved the amendment. The approval allows the property owners to move forward with their redevelopment plans for the 51,315 square feet of new construction and the associated site improvements for parking and vehicle display purposes.

The project represents a notable commercial development that will change the character and use of the properties involved, transitioning them to what appears to be automotive retail or dealership operations based on the vehicle display area component and the DFAutoMall designation.

BLUEGRASS ASPENDALE, LEXINGTON FAYETTE URBAN COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

8:00

The Planning Commission reviewed agenda item PLN-FRP-22-00034 for Bluegrass Aspendale, a development project by the Lexington Fayette Urban County Housing Authority. The proposal involves creating a 12-lot subdivision plat.

Key speakers during the discussion included Tom Martin and Branden Gross, who presented details about the subdivision plan and addressed questions from commission members.

The Subdivision Committee had previously reviewed this proposal and recommended approval, contingent upon certain conditions being met. The specific conditions were not detailed in the available materials, but the committee's positive recommendation indicated the project met the necessary technical and regulatory requirements for subdivision development.

The commission ultimately approved the Bluegrass Aspendale subdivision plat, allowing the Lexington Fayette Urban County Housing Authority to proceed with creating the 12 proposed lots. This approval enables the housing authority to move forward with their development plans for the property.