Urban County Council - Zone Change

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government met on May 18, 2023, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Vice Mayor Wu presiding. The meeting focused on a single agenda item regarding a proposed zone change from R-3 to B-1 for the property located at 507 S. Limestone, which was ultimately denied by the council. During the session, the council took two votes and heard from three members of the public who provided comments on the matter under consideration. The meeting addressed zoning concerns in the urban core area, with community input playing a role in the final decision-making process.

Attendance

The following members were present at the May 18, 2023 meeting:

• Wu
• Gray
• LeGris
• Lynch
• Monarrez
• Reynolds
• Sevigny
• Sheehan
• J. Brown
• Ellinger
• Fogle

Absent: • Plomin • Worley • F. Brown • Elliott Baxter

No members arrived late to the meeting. A total of 11 members were present and 4 members were absent.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included two roll call votes on the same zoning matter, both of which failed to achieve the necessary majority.

Motion 0315-23 (Disapproval) 6:54 LeGris made a motion to adopt the Findings of Fact for disapproval of the zone change from R-3 to B-1 for property at 507 S. Limestone, seconded by Sheehan. The motion failed with 5 ayes and 6 nays.

Voting in favor: LeGris, Lynch, Sheehan, Wu, and Fogle Voting against: Gray, Monarrez, Reynolds, Sevigny, J. Brown, and Ellinger

Motion 0315-23 (Approval) 7:24 Following the failed disapproval motion, Sevigny made a motion to approve the zone change from R-3 to B-1 for property at 507 S. Limestone, seconded by Ellinger. This motion also failed with 6 ayes and 5 nays.

Voting in favor: Gray, Monarrez, Reynolds, Sevigny, J. Brown, and Ellinger Voting against: LeGris, Lynch, Sheehan, Wu, and Fogle

The voting pattern showed a clear division among council members, with the same five members consistently opposing the zoning change and the same six members supporting it. However, since neither motion achieved the required majority threshold for passage, the zoning change request for 507 S. Limestone was effectively denied through the failure of both motions.

Public Comment

Three members of the public addressed the meeting regarding a proposed zone change and drive-through development.

Branden Schan spoke in support of the zone change 2:30. Schan highlighted Dutch Bros.' community engagement efforts and argued that the proposed use would generate less traffic than the previous use of the site.

Dottie Bean expressed opposition to the drive-through component of the proposal 3:00. Bean raised concerns about the traffic impact at the proposed location, specifically citing existing heavy congestion issues on Nicholasville Road that could be exacerbated by additional drive-through traffic.

Amy Clark opposed the zone change 3:30. Clark emphasized pedestrian safety concerns and noted potential conflicts between the proposed development and existing transportation plans for the area.

The public comments reflected a split perspective on the proposal, with one speaker supporting the zone change based on community benefits and reduced traffic projections, while two speakers raised concerns about traffic impacts and safety issues related to the development.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one contested item that generated significant debate among council members.

Zone Change for 507 S. Limestone

The proposed zone change for the property at 507 S. Limestone resulted in a split vote, highlighting divisions within the council on key planning and safety issues. The contentious nature of this item centered around three primary areas of disagreement:

• Traffic Impact: Council members expressed differing views on how the proposed zone change would affect traffic patterns and congestion in the surrounding area
• Pedestrian Safety: Concerns were raised about the potential impact on pedestrian safety, with members taking opposing positions on whether the change would create hazardous conditions for foot traffic
• Comprehensive Plan Alignment: The debate also focused on whether the proposed zone change aligned with the city's comprehensive planning goals and long-term development strategy

The split vote outcome indicates that the council was evenly divided on these issues, with some members prioritizing development opportunities while others emphasized safety and planning consistency concerns. The specific vote tally and individual council member positions were not detailed in the available information, but the contentious nature of the discussion suggests this was a significant policy decision that required careful consideration of competing community interests.

This zone change proposal represents the type of local development decision that often generates debate in municipal government, as council members must balance economic development, public safety, and long-term planning objectives when making zoning determinations.

Zone Change from R-3 to B-1 for 507 S. Limestone

The council considered an ordinance to rezone property at 507 S. Limestone from Planned Neighborhood (R-3) to Neighborhood Business (B-1) zoning 0:30. The proposal generated significant discussion from both supporters and opponents in the community.

Several speakers addressed the council regarding the zone change request. Key participants in the discussion included Traci Wade, Daniel Crum, Bruce Simpson, Dottie Bean, Amy Clark, and Branden Schan, who presented various perspectives on the proposed rezoning.

The debate centered on several critical issues affecting the surrounding neighborhood. Traffic concerns emerged as a primary point of contention, with speakers discussing the potential impact of increased commercial activity on local streets. Pedestrian safety was another significant focus, as community members expressed concerns about how the zone change might affect foot traffic and safety conditions in the area.

Community impact formed a central theme throughout the discussion, with speakers weighing the potential benefits and drawbacks of converting the residential property to commercial use. The proposed change from R-3 (Planned Neighborhood) zoning to B-1 (Neighborhood Business) zoning would have allowed for different types of commercial activities on the property.

After considering the presentations and community input, the council ultimately denied the zone change request. The decision reflected the council's assessment of the various concerns raised during the public discussion, particularly regarding traffic, pedestrian safety, and the overall impact on the surrounding neighborhood character.