Planning Commission Subdivision and Zoning Items

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission convened on December 14, 2023, 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 three main agenda categories: Land Subdivision Items, Zoning Items, and Commission Items, all of which were informational in nature. During the session, the commission conducted 13 motions and votes while hearing 2 public comments from community members. The meeting focused on planning and development matters within the urban county's jurisdiction, with commissioners reviewing various land use and zoning considerations that affect local development and community planning initiatives.

Attendance

The following members were present at the December 14, 2023 meeting:

• Larry Forester
• Janice Meyer
• Graham Pohl
• Ivy Barksdale (arrived late)
• William Wilson
• Robin Michler
• Mike Owens
• Judy Worth
• Bruce Nicol

Absent: • Zach Davis

Late Arrival: • Ivy Barksdale

Nine members attended the meeting, with one member absent and one member arriving after the scheduled start time.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included 13 formal votes, with most items passing unanimously. The commission first approved meeting minutes from four previous sessions and performance bonds and letters of credit [timestamp: 00:30, 01:30].

Four items were postponed to future meetings: - PLN-ZOTA-23-00004: Amendment to Article 8-1 for outdoor recreation in Agricultural Rural zones was postponed to February 22, 2024 2:30 - PLN-MJDP-23-00064: Belmont Farm (Citation Centre) amendment was postponed to February 8, 2024 3:30 - PLN-MJDP-23-00076: Shriners Hospital/Masonic Temple Association amendment was postponed to January 11, 2024 4:30 - PLN-MAR-23-00020: Botts/Cravens Homebuilders @ Paradise zoning map amendment was postponed to January 25, 2024 5:30

Seven development-related items were approved by unanimous roll call votes: - PLN-MAR-23-00011: Clear Optiks, LLC zoning map amendment 6:30 - PLN-MJDP-23-00043: First Security National Bank development plan, subject to 14 conditions 7:30 - PLN-MAR-23-00019: Black Soil: Our Better Nature, LLC zoning map amendment with conditional zoning restrictions 1-10 8:30 - PLN-MJDP-23-00070: Galbraith Subdivision, Lots 19 & 20 development plan, subject to 15 conditions 9:30 - PLN-MAR-23-00021: Turner Management, LLC zoning map amendment 10:30 - PLN-MJDP-23-00074: GDK Farm, LLC Property development plan, subject to 10 conditions 11:30

The only non-unanimous vote was PLN-ZOTA-23-00006, an amendment to multiple zoning articles to implement the Comprehensive Plan. This passed 8-1, with Bruce Nicol casting the sole dissenting vote. The amendment included modifications to front yard setback requirements and workforce housing bonuses 12:30.

All motions were made and seconded by various commission members, with voting participation from Larry Forester, Janice Meyer, Graham Pohl, Ivy Barksdale, William Wilson, Robin Michler, Mike Owens, Judy Worth, and Bruce Nicol.

Public Comment

Two residents provided public comment during the December 14, 2023 meeting, both addressing proposed zoning map amendments.

Lynn Flin spoke regarding the Clear Optiks, LLC zoning map amendment 6:00. Flin expressed concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety issues that could result from the proposed development associated with the zoning change.

Jessica Winters addressed the Stavroff Land & Development, Inc zoning map amendment 13:00. Winters opposed the proposed zoning change, raising concerns about potential negative impacts on the historic character of the neighborhood. She also questioned whether the downtown place type designation would be appropriate for the area in question.

Both speakers focused their comments on zoning-related matters, with safety and neighborhood character preservation being the primary themes of public concern expressed during the comment period.

Contested Items

Two zoning map amendment proposals faced significant community opposition during the December 14, 2023 meeting.

Clear Optiks, LLC Zoning Map Amendment

The Clear Optiks, LLC zoning map amendment generated considerable debate from local residents who raised concerns about traffic congestion and pedestrian safety impacts. Community members voiced opposition during the public comment period, expressing worry that the proposed zoning change would increase vehicle traffic in the area and create hazardous conditions for pedestrians. Despite the community pushback, the council engaged in detailed discussion of the proposal and ultimately approved the zoning amendment with specific conditions attached to address the residents' safety concerns.

Stavroff Land & Development, Inc Zoning Map Amendment

The Stavroff Land & Development, Inc zoning map amendment encountered more substantial neighborhood opposition. Local residents strongly objected to the proposal, citing two primary concerns: the potential negative impact on historic structures in the area and questions about whether the requested zoning change was appropriate for the neighborhood's character. The opposition highlighted preservation issues and compatibility concerns with existing development patterns. The significant community resistance led to extensive discussion of the proposal's merits and drawbacks.

Both contested items centered on zoning map amendments that would alter land use designations, with community members actively participating in the public process to voice their objections. The opposition in both cases focused on quality of life issues - traffic safety for Clear Optiks and historic preservation for Stavroff Land & Development - demonstrating residents' engagement in local planning decisions that could affect their neighborhoods.

Land Subdivision Items

5:00

The Subdivision Committee presented their recommendations from their recent review of various development plans and zoning map amendments. Traci Wade served as the primary speaker for this agenda item, providing an overview of the committee's deliberations and decisions.

The committee reviewed multiple development proposals during their meeting, evaluating each submission against current zoning requirements and subdivision regulations. Their review process resulted in a range of recommendations including approvals, postponements, and withdrawals for different projects under consideration.

Wade presented the committee's findings in an informational capacity, outlining the various development plans that had been submitted for review. The committee's work involved examining zoning map amendments alongside traditional subdivision requests, indicating a comprehensive approach to land development oversight.

The agenda item served as a status update rather than requiring immediate action from the full body. The committee's recommendations will guide future decision-making on the various development proposals as they move through the approval process.

This informational presentation allowed the broader group to stay informed about ongoing subdivision and development activities within their jurisdiction, ensuring transparency in the land development review process.

Zoning Items

6:00

The Zoning Committee presented their review of various zoning map amendments and zoning ordinance text amendments during this agenda item. Larry Forester served as the key speaker for this discussion.

The committee's review covered multiple zoning-related matters, though specific details of individual amendments were not elaborated upon in the available materials. The committee's work resulted in several different outcomes for the various items under consideration.

According to the committee's report, several zoning items were postponed, indicating that additional review or information may be needed before these matters can move forward. Other items received recommendations for approval from the Zoning Committee, suggesting they met the necessary criteria and standards for advancement in the approval process.

The presentation served an informational purpose, updating the governing body on the status of pending zoning matters and the committee's recommendations. This type of regular reporting helps ensure transparency in the zoning review process and keeps elected officials informed about development and land use decisions affecting the community.

The variety of outcomes - with some items postponed and others recommended for approval - reflects the thorough review process that zoning matters typically undergo, where each proposal is evaluated on its individual merits and compliance with existing zoning regulations and community planning goals.

Commission Items

12:00

The Commission addressed agenda item VI, Commission Items, which involved consideration of petitions for waiver of land subdivision regulations and other commission-related matters.

Jim Duncan served as the key speaker for this discussion item. The session focused on reviewing various petitions that had been submitted requesting waivers from existing land subdivision regulations, though specific details about the individual petitions were not provided in the available materials.

This agenda item was structured as a discussion session, allowing commissioners to review and consider the various waiver requests and other commission business that required attention. The format provided an opportunity for deliberation on regulatory matters affecting land development within the jurisdiction.

The item concluded as informational, indicating that the Commission received and reviewed the materials presented but did not take formal action on the petitions or other items during this particular session. This suggests the matters may have been presented for initial review or may require additional consideration before final determinations are made.

The discussion of land subdivision regulation waivers represents a routine but important function of the Commission, as these decisions can significantly impact development projects and land use planning within the community.