Planning Commission Zoning Items

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission convened on March 28, 2024, at 1:30 PM in the Council Chamber on the 2nd Floor of the LFUCG Government Center at 200 East Main Street in Lexington, Kentucky. The meeting addressed seven agenda items, including the approval of minutes, postponements and withdrawals, and informational sessions on land subdivision items, zoning items, commission items, and staff items. The commission conducted 10 motions and votes throughout the session and heard 2 public comments from attendees. The meeting successfully approved the minutes and postponements and withdrawals as part of its regular business proceedings.

Attendance

The following members were present at the March 28, 2024 meeting:

Present: • Zach Davis • William Wilson • Janice Meyer • Judy Worth • Ivy Barksdale • Bruce Nicol • Robin Michler • Mike Owens • Graham Pohl

Absent: • Larry Forester • Johnathon Davis

No members arrived late to the meeting.

A total of 9 members were present and 2 members were absent from the meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The commission took action on ten items during the March 28, 2024 meeting, with most decisions receiving unanimous support.

Postponements Two items were postponed unanimously. The Anthony Humphress zoning map amendment (PLN-MAR-24-00002) was postponed on a motion by Graham Pohl, seconded by William Wilson 0:02. The amendment to Article 8-1 regarding outdoor recreation in the Agricultural Rural Zone (PLN-ZOTA-23-00004) was also postponed unanimously on a motion by Mike Owens, seconded by Graham Pohl 0:04.

Approved Items Six items received unanimous approval with 9-0 votes: - William E McAlpin zoning map amendment (PLN-MAR-24-00003), motioned by Bruce Nicol and seconded by William Wilson 1:20 - Alexandria Storage development plan (PLN-MJDP-24-00007) with 13 staff-recommended conditions, motioned by Bruce Nicol and seconded by Judy Worth 1:25 - Red Draw Development, LLC zoning map amendment (PLN-MAR-24-00004), motioned by Robin Michler and seconded by William Wilson 2:30 - Jenny Talbott zoning map amendment (PLN-MAR-24-00005), motioned by William Wilson and seconded by Mike Owens 3:30 - East Hills Subdivision, Unit 5-D development plan (PLN-MJDP-24-00012) with 9 conditions including relocating a bike rack, motioned by William Wilson and seconded by Judy Worth 3:35

One item passed by roll call vote: Pleasant Ridge Subdivision, Lot 127 development plan (PLN-MJDP-24-00008) passed 8-1 with 11 conditions including a second public access point. Graham Pohl cast the sole dissenting vote 2:45.

Failed Items Two items failed. The amendment to Article 8-16 regarding truck rental in the B-1 Zone (PLN-ZOTA-24-00001) was unanimously disapproved 9-0 4:00. The Public Facility Review for Harrison Elementary School addition (PFR-2024-1) failed 6-2, with Ivy Barksdale and Bruce Nicol voting against due to non-compliance with the comprehensive plan 4:30.

Public Comment

Two residents spoke during the public comment period, both expressing opposition to the Red Draw Development project.

Kevin Frederick 2:50 addressed the board with concerns about the proposed Red Draw Development. Frederick cited multiple issues with the project, including anticipated increases in traffic volume that could affect the surrounding area. He also raised safety concerns related to the development and emphasized the potential negative impact the project could have on the existing neighborhood character and residents.

John Doe 2:55 also spoke in opposition to the Red Draw Development. Doe focused his comments on preserving the current quiet atmosphere of the neighborhood, expressing concern that the development would disrupt the peaceful environment that residents currently enjoy. Additionally, he voiced apprehensions about a potential increase in crime that could result from the new development, suggesting that the project could compromise neighborhood safety and security.

Both speakers presented their concerns as representatives of community members who oppose the Red Draw Development project, highlighting common themes of traffic, safety, and neighborhood preservation as key issues requiring the board's consideration.

Contested Items

Two items generated significant debate during the March 28, 2024 meeting, drawing community opposition and resulting in split decisions among board members.

Red Draw Development, LLC Zoning Map Amendment

The proposed zoning map amendment by Red Draw Development, LLC faced substantial community opposition during the public hearing portion of the meeting. Multiple community members voiced concerns about the potential negative impacts of the development on their neighborhood. The primary objections centered on anticipated increases in traffic volume that could affect local streets and residential areas. Safety concerns were also raised by residents who worried about the implications of additional vehicular activity in the vicinity. Community members additionally expressed broader concerns about how the development would impact the overall character and livability of their neighborhood. The nature and extent of community participation demonstrated significant local interest in and opposition to the proposed zoning changes.

Harrison Elementary School Addition

The Harrison Elementary School addition proposal encountered difficulties during the review process, ultimately resulting in a split vote among decision-makers. The primary issue arose from a determination that the proposed addition was not in compliance with the municipality's comprehensive plan. Specific concerns were raised regarding the project's impact on existing green space, with reviewers finding that the addition would compromise important open areas currently serving the school and surrounding community. Additionally, issues related to vehicular use and traffic patterns around the school site contributed to the compliance concerns. The split vote indicates that while some members may have supported moving forward with the school addition despite these issues, others felt the comprehensive plan violations were significant enough to warrant rejection or substantial modification of the proposal. The divided decision reflects the challenge of balancing educational facility needs with established planning guidelines and community space preservation.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber 0:00. This agenda item served as the formal opening of the proceedings, establishing the official start time and location for the March 28, 2024 meeting.

No specific speakers were identified for this procedural item, as it represents the standard administrative opening of the meeting session. The call to order is a routine parliamentary procedure that marks the transition from informal gathering to official business.

The meeting convened in the Council Chamber, indicating this was likely a municipal government meeting held in the designated public meeting space. The 1:30 p.m. start time suggests this was an afternoon session.

This agenda item was informational in nature, serving the administrative function of formally beginning the meeting and establishing the official record of when proceedings commenced.

Approval of Minutes

0:01

The board reviewed the minutes from the February 22, 2024 meeting for approval. Janice Meyer and Mike Owens participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

The minutes were presented to the board members for their review and consideration. Following the discussion, the board voted unanimously to approve the February 22, 2024 meeting minutes without any modifications or corrections noted.

The approval of these minutes allows them to serve as the official record of the February 22, 2024 meeting proceedings.

Postponements and Withdrawals

0:02 The meeting addressed requests for postponement and withdrawal of agenda items under section III. Chris Clendenen and Daniel Crum served as the key speakers for this discussion item.

The board considered various requests from applicants seeking to postpone or withdraw their cases from the current meeting agenda. These requests typically occur when applicants need additional time to prepare materials, address concerns raised by staff or community members, or make revisions to their proposals.

During the brief discussion, the speakers presented the postponement and withdrawal requests to the board for consideration. The requests were reviewed and the board moved to approve the postponements and withdrawals as presented.

The outcome was approval of the requested postponements and withdrawals, allowing the affected agenda items to be rescheduled for future meetings or removed from consideration as appropriate. This procedural item helps manage the meeting agenda and ensures that cases are heard when applicants are fully prepared to present their proposals.

Land Subdivision Items

0:05

The meeting addressed agenda item IV regarding Land Subdivision Items, focusing on recommendations from the Subdivision Committee on various development plans under review.

Traci Wade and Tom Martin served as the key speakers for this discussion item, presenting the committee's findings and recommendations to the board.

The session was structured as an informational discussion, allowing the committee representatives to share their analysis of subdivision proposals that had been reviewed during the committee's deliberations. The speakers outlined the various plans that had come before the Subdivision Committee and provided details on the committee's recommendations for each proposal.

This agenda item served as a communication mechanism between the Subdivision Committee and the broader governing body, ensuring that subdivision-related decisions and recommendations were properly conveyed to all relevant parties. The discussion format allowed for questions and clarification regarding the committee's work and findings.

The outcome was classified as informational, indicating that no formal votes or binding decisions were made during this portion of the meeting. Instead, the item functioned as a status update and briefing session, keeping all participants informed about ongoing subdivision review processes and the committee's assessment of various development proposals under consideration.

The discussion provided transparency in the subdivision review process and maintained communication channels between the specialized committee and the full governing body regarding land development matters within their jurisdiction.

Zoning Items

1:00

The meeting reviewed zoning map amendments and Zoning Ordinance text amendments during this agenda item. Daniel Crum and Tom Martin served as the key speakers for the discussion.

The session focused on examining proposed changes to both the zoning map and text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. The review covered various zoning-related matters that required council consideration and input.

This was an informational discussion item, with no formal action taken during the meeting. The zoning items were presented for review and consideration by the council members.

Commission Items

4:45

During agenda item VI, Commission Items, members had the opportunity to present items for discussion. This portion of the meeting was designated as an informational session where commissioners could bring forward matters of interest or concern.

The agenda item was structured as a discussion period, allowing commission members to share updates, raise questions, or present topics relevant to the commission's work. No specific speakers were identified for this particular segment, indicating it was an open forum for any commissioner wishing to contribute.

This agenda item served as an informational exchange rather than requiring any formal action or decision-making by the commission. The open format provided commissioners with a platform to communicate on various matters that may not have warranted separate agenda items but were nonetheless important for the commission's awareness and consideration.

The outcome was purely informational, with no formal resolutions or actions taken during this portion of the meeting.

Staff Items

During the March 28, 2024 meeting, staff provided informational updates on various planning activities under agenda item VII 5:00.

Autumn Goderwis served as the primary speaker for this agenda item, presenting updates on ongoing staff work and planning initiatives. The discussion was informational in nature, with staff sharing current activities and progress on various projects within their purview.

This agenda item served as a regular opportunity for staff to communicate with the board and public about their ongoing work and planning efforts. No formal action was taken during this portion of the meeting, as the item was designated for informational purposes only.

The staff updates provided transparency into the department's current activities and allowed for any questions or clarification from board members regarding ongoing planning initiatives.