Urban Growth Management Master Plan - Advisory Committee

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban Growth Management Master Plan Advisory Committee met on August 15, 2023, at 10:00 A.M. in the Phoenix Building, 3rd floor Conference Room, located at 101 E. Vine Street in Lexington, Kentucky. The meeting was presided over by Larry Forester and focused on two informational presentations related to urban growth management and rural development policies.

The committee heard presentations on two key topics: a Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Overview and the 2023 Rural Sewer Capability Study Overview. Both agenda items were informational in nature, providing committee members with updates and background information on these important planning initiatives. The PDR presentation likely covered the program's mechanisms for preserving rural and agricultural land through the acquisition of development rights, while the Rural Sewer Capability Study presentation addressed infrastructure capacity and planning considerations for rural areas within the county's jurisdiction.

During the meeting, the committee took one vote on procedural or administrative matters. No public comments were received during the designated public comment period, indicating that community members either did not attend or chose not to speak during this particular session. The meeting served primarily as an educational session for committee members to receive updates on ongoing planning studies and programs that inform the broader Urban Growth Management Master Plan development process.

Attendance

The meeting on August 15, 2023 had 10 members present and 4 members absent.

Present: • Larry Forester • James Brown • Todd Clark • Chuck Ellinger • Andi Johnson • Todd Johnson • Kathy Plomin • Zach Worsham • Judy Worth • Dan Wu

Absent: • Alison Davis • PG Peeples • John Phillips • Bill Wilson

No members arrived late to the meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included one formal vote on procedural matters.

Motion to Approve Previous Meeting Summary 0:00

Judy Worth made a motion to approve the previous meeting's summary with specific additions. Dan Wu seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously with the condition that the Charge and the Urban Growth Management Advisory Committee Website link be included in the summary.

• Motion by: Judy Worth
• Seconded by: Dan Wu
• Outcome: Passed unanimously
• Conditions: Include the Charge and the Urban Growth Management Advisory Committee Website link in the summary

No roll call vote was taken for this procedural matter, and no members voted against or abstained from the motion.

Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Overview

0:00 Beth Overman presented a comprehensive overview of the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program during this informational session. The presentation covered the program's historical background and current operational framework.

Overman discussed the program's environmental priorities, explaining how the PDR initiative works to preserve agricultural land through strategic conservation efforts. She outlined the parcel ranking process, which is used to evaluate and prioritize properties for potential inclusion in the program based on various criteria.

A key highlight of the presentation was the program's ambitious conservation goal of protecting 50,000 acres of farmland. This target represents the program's commitment to maintaining agricultural land use and preventing development on prime farming properties.

The presentation served as an educational overview for attendees, providing foundational information about how the PDR program operates, its selection criteria for parcels, and its long-term conservation objectives. The session was purely informational, with no decisions or actions taken during this agenda item.

2023 Rural Sewer Capability Study Overview

0:00 Charlie Martin presented the 2023 Rural Sewer Capability Study to provide an overview of the municipality's rural sewer infrastructure assessment.

The presentation focused on several key technical aspects of rural sewer system planning:

• Topographical considerations: Martin discussed how the area's topography significantly impacts sewer system layout and design requirements for rural properties

• Study methodology: The presentation outlined the systematic approach used to evaluate current sewer capabilities and infrastructure needs in rural areas

• Regulatory framework: Martin addressed potential regulatory obligations that may affect future sewer system development and compliance requirements

The study represents an informational assessment of the municipality's rural sewer infrastructure capacity and planning considerations. Martin's presentation provided technical background on the challenges and requirements for extending or improving sewer services in rural areas, where topographical constraints can significantly influence system design and implementation costs.

This was an informational presentation with no action items or decisions required from the meeting participants. The study serves as a foundation for understanding the current state of rural sewer capabilities and the technical factors that must be considered in future infrastructure planning and regulatory compliance efforts.