Planning Commission Zoning Public Hearing

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission met on October 27, 2022, at 1:30 PM at the Phoenix Building, 3rd Floor, 101 East Vine Street, Lexington, Kentucky. The commission considered four agenda items, taking eight votes and hearing four public comments during the meeting. The agenda included three zoning map amendments and one zoning ordinance text amendment. Of the items considered, the commission denied one zoning map amendment from Winterwood Inc., while approving a zoning map amendment from Northyard, LLC, a second zoning map amendment from Winterwood Inc., and a zoning ordinance text amendment.

Attendance

Present: Ivy Barksdale, Judy Worth, Frank Penn, Headley Bell, Janice Meyer, Zach Davis, Larry Forrester, Robin Michler, and Graham Pohl

Absent: Barksdale and Nicol

Late: None

Votes and Decisions

PLN-MAR-22-00016: Postponement of REALTY UNLIMITED BLUE GRASS, LLC zone map amendment 2:21 Motion by Mr. Penn, seconded by Ms. Worth. The motion to postpone passed unanimously with 9 ayes and 0 nays. The item was postponed until November 17, 2022.

PLN-MAR-22-00012: Disapproval of WINTERWOOD INC. zone map amendment 1:41:47 Motion by Ms. Worth, seconded by Mr. Penn. The motion failed on a roll call vote with 7 ayes and 2 nays. Those voting in favor were Bell, de Movellan, Meyer, Michler, Penn, Pohl, and Worth. Those voting against were Davis and Forester.

PLN-MJDP-22-00048: Indefinite postponement of SAMS & LARKIN PROPERTY development plan 1:42:49 Motion by Mr. Penn, seconded by Ms. Worth. The motion passed with 9 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 abstention. The item was indefinitely postponed with reasons provided by staff.

PLN-MAR-22-00013: Approval of NORTHYARD, LLC zone map amendment 2:04:00 Motion by Mr. Michler, seconded by Mr. Pohl. The motion passed with 8 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 abstention. Approval was granted with the addition of zoning restrictions.

PLN-MJDP-22-00060: Approval of GREYLINE STATION & MARKET development plan 2:05:03 Motion by Mr. Michler, seconded by Mr. Pohl. The motion passed unanimously with 8 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 abstention.

PLN-MAR-22-00014: Approval of WINTERWOOD INC. zone map amendment 3:33:03 Motion by Mr. Pohl, seconded by Mr. Michler. The motion passed unanimously with 9 ayes and 0 nays.

PLN-MJDP-22-00056: Approval of WOODLAND CHRISTIAN CHURCH INC. development plan 3:35:47 Motion by Mr. Pohl, seconded by Mr. Michler. The motion passed unanimously with 9 ayes and 0 nays. Approval was granted with revised conditions.

SODA 22-15: Approval of Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 4:00:47 Motion by Mr. Bell, seconded by Mr. Michler. The motion passed unanimously with 9 ayes and 0 nays.

Public Comment

Four speakers addressed the meeting with concerns and support regarding development projects.

Noise Pollution Concerns

Brennan Lippert raised concerns about noise pollution from industrial areas and railroads affecting new residential developments, citing potential health risks. 1:12:09

Environmental and Safety Issues

Robert Lale expressed concerns about the impact of development on a spring and pond on his adjacent property, as well as safety issues for children. 1:14:50

Parking and Business Impact

David Feinberg, a local business owner, expressed concerns about the reduction of parking spaces and the impact on local businesses, as well as safety issues related to crime. 2:50:39

Support for Church Partnership

Christy Jo, senior pastor of Woodland Christian Church, expressed support for the partnership with Winterwood. She emphasized the project's potential to provide affordable housing and maintain the church's community role. 3:17:05

Contested Items

WINTERWOOD INC. Zoning Map Amendment

A proposal to rezone WINTERWOOD INC. property from Light Industrial to Commercial Center generated significant disagreement among decision-makers. The contentious nature of the proposal centered on whether the rezoning aligned with the comprehensive plan. The split vote reflected differing opinions on the merits of the amendment, indicating that board or council members were divided on whether to approve the change.

Parking Concerns for Woodland Christian Church Project

The Woodland Christian Church project faced community opposition focused on parking impacts. Community members raised concerns about a reduction in parking spaces associated with the project and expressed worry about how this reduction would affect both local businesses and residents in the area. This item represented direct community engagement with the development proposal, with residents voicing their concerns about the practical implications of the project's parking arrangements.

WINTERWOOD INC. Zoning Map Amendment

Case Number: PLN-MAR-22-00012

Proposal: A zoning map amendment for Winterwood Inc. to rezone a property from Light Industrial (I-1) to Commercial Center (B-6P) to accommodate a multi-family residential development.

Staff Recommendation: Staff recommended disapproval of the amendment, citing non-compliance with the comprehensive plan.

Key Speakers: Mr. Crum, Mr. Martin, and Mr. Woodall participated in the discussion of this item.

Outcome: The zoning map amendment was denied. 1:41:47

NORTHYARD, LLC Zoning Map Amendment

Proposal Identifier: PLN-MAR-22-00013

This agenda item addressed a zoning map amendment proposal by NORTHYARD, LLC to reclassify a property from Wholesale and Warehouse Business (B-4) to Light Industrial (I-1) zoning. The amendment is intended to permit production uses within the Greyline Station Adaptive Reuse Project.

Key Speakers

The discussion was led by Mr. Crum and Mr. Martin.

Outcome

The zoning map amendment was approved. 2:04:00

WINTERWOOD INC. Zoning Map Amendment

Identifier: PLN-MAR-22-00014

This agenda item addressed a proposal to amend the zoning map for a property from Two-Family Residential (R-2) to High Density Apartment (R-4) to accommodate a senior living housing project that would include affordable units.

Key Speakers

The discussion involved Mr. Crum, Mr. Martin, and Mr. Woodall.

Outcome

The zoning map amendment was approved.

Meeting Location

Discussion of this item occurred approximately 3 hours and 33 minutes into the meeting 3:33:03.

Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment

Identifier: SODA 22-15

The council considered an amendment to update the intent statements in the zoning ordinance to align with the 2018 Comprehensive Plan. The amendment focused on modernizing language and providing greater transparency in the zoning ordinance.

Key Speakers: - Mr. Crum - Mr. Martin

Outcome: The zoning ordinance text amendment was approved. 4:00:47