Planning Commission Zoning Items

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission convened on May 23, 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, with Larry Forester presiding. The commission addressed four agenda items during the session, including the routine approval of minutes and three substantive policy matters related to zoning amendments and planning updates. Two motions were voted on during the meeting, while no public comments were received. The commission approved the meeting minutes but tabled two significant regulatory proposals - an amendment to Article 8-1 regarding outdoor recreation in the Agricultural Rural (A-R) Zone and new regulations for solar energy systems - indicating these items require further consideration before final action. Additionally, the commission received an informational presentation on the Urban Growth Master Plan Update, providing members with current planning developments without requiring immediate action.

Attendance

The following members were present at the meeting on May 23, 2024:

• Larry Forester
• Zach Davis
• William Wilson
• Janice Meyer
• Ivy Barksdale
• Robin Michler
• Mike Owens
• Graham Pohl

Three members were absent:

• Nicol
• Worth
• Johnathon Davis

No members arrived late to the meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included two motions, both resulting in postponements by unanimous vote of the eight-member body.

PLN-ZOTA-23-00004 - Outdoor Recreation Amendment 0:30

Mike Owens moved to postpone the amendment to Article 8-1 regarding outdoor recreation in the Agricultural Rural (A-R) Zone, with Graham Pohl providing the second. The motion passed unanimously 8-0, with all members voting in favor: Larry Forester, Zach Davis, William Wilson, Janice Meyer, Ivy Barksdale, Robin Michler, Mike Owens, and Graham Pohl. The postponement was indefinite, contingent on "more serious movement from the applicant."

PLN-ZOTA-24-00003 - Solar Energy Systems Regulation 1:00

Graham Pohl moved to postpone the regulation of solar energy systems, seconded by Janice Meyer. This motion also passed unanimously 8-0, with the same eight members voting in favor: Larry Forester, Zach Davis, William Wilson, Janice Meyer, Ivy Barksdale, Robin Michler, Mike Owens, and Graham Pohl. Unlike the first item, this postponement has a specific timeline, with the matter scheduled to return at the June 27, 2024 meeting.

Both votes demonstrated complete consensus among the planning body members, with no opposition or abstentions recorded for either motion. The postponements suggest the need for additional preparation or information before final consideration of these zoning matters.

Approval of Minutes

0:10

The board considered approval of the minutes from the April 25, 2024 meeting. Janice Meyer and Ivy Barksdale participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

The minutes from the previous meeting were presented for review and approval by the board members. Following their consideration of the document, the board voted to approve the minutes of the April 25, 2024 meeting.

The approval was completed without any noted corrections or amendments to the original minutes.

Amendment to Article 8-1, Outdoor Recreation in the Agricultural Rural (A-R) Zone

0:30

The commission considered agenda item PLN-ZOTA-23-00004, a text amendment to Article 8-1 regarding outdoor recreation uses in the Agricultural Rural (A-R) Zone. The proposed ordinance would reclassify baseball diamonds from an accessory use to a conditional use within this zoning district.

Key speakers during the discussion included Mike Owens and Daniel Crum, who presented details about the proposed zoning text amendment and its implications for agricultural rural properties.

The amendment represents a significant change in how baseball diamonds would be regulated in A-R zones. Currently classified as accessory uses, baseball diamonds can be established with minimal review processes. The proposed change to conditional use status would require property owners to go through a more comprehensive approval process, including public hearings and detailed site plan reviews before establishing baseball facilities on agricultural rural land.

After discussion of the proposal, the commission decided to postpone the item indefinitely rather than move forward with approval or denial. This tabling action effectively removes the amendment from active consideration, though it could potentially be brought back for future review.

The indefinite postponement suggests there may have been unresolved concerns about the proposed change, though the specific reasons for tabling the item were not detailed in the available information. The decision means that baseball diamonds will continue to be treated as accessory uses in the Agricultural Rural zone under current regulations.

Regulation of Solar Energy Systems

The Planning Commission considered agenda item PLN-ZOTA-24-00003, a proposed text amendment to facilitate the siting, development, construction, installation, and decommissioning of solar energy systems 1:00.

The ordinance was designed to streamline the regulatory process for solar energy installations within the jurisdiction. Key speakers during the discussion included Daniel Crum and Beth Overman, who presented details about the proposed amendments and their potential impacts on local development processes.

The text amendment aimed to address various aspects of solar energy system implementation, from initial site selection and development phases through construction and installation, extending to eventual decommissioning requirements. The proposed changes would modify existing zoning and development regulations to better accommodate renewable energy infrastructure.

Following discussion of the agenda item, the Planning Commission determined that additional time was needed to fully review the proposed amendments. Rather than proceeding with a vote, the commission decided to postpone consideration of PLN-ZOTA-24-00003 to allow for further analysis and potential revisions.

The item was officially tabled and rescheduled for the Planning Commission's June 27, 2024 meeting. This postponement will provide commissioners and staff additional time to address any outstanding questions or concerns regarding the solar energy system regulations before making a final determination on the proposed text amendment.

The delay suggests the commission recognized the importance of thoroughly vetting these regulatory changes given their potential impact on future renewable energy development in the area.

Urban Growth Master Plan Update

2:00

Samantha Castro provided an informational presentation on the 2024 Urban Growth Master Plan update during the meeting. Castro discussed the current progress of the planning process and outlined the anticipated next steps for the comprehensive plan revision.

The presentation served as a status update for the governing body, keeping members informed about the ongoing work on this significant planning document. As an informational item, no formal action was taken by the council or board during this discussion.

The Urban Growth Master Plan represents a key planning tool for managing future development and growth within the jurisdiction. Castro's update ensured that elected officials remained current on the planning timeline and process as work continues on the 2024 version of this important document.