Planning Commission Subdivision Items

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission convened on August 8, 2024, 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 12 agenda items during the session, with the majority of business being postponed to future meetings. Of the 12 items considered, 10 development and property amendments were postponed, while 2 items received approval: the Pleasant Ridge Subdivision Amendment and the Lexington Senior & Therapeutic Recreation Center project. The commission conducted 15 motions and votes throughout the meeting, and no public comments were heard during the session.

Attendance

The following members were present at the meeting on August 8, 2024:

• Larry Forester
• Zach Davis
• Judy Worth
• William Wilson
• Robin Michler
• Graham Pohl
• Bruce Nicol
• Johnathon Davis (arrived late)
• Mike Owens

Absent: Barksdale

Late Arrival: Johnathon Davis

Nine members attended the meeting, with one member absent and one member arriving late to the proceedings.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included 15 formal votes, with most items receiving unanimous approval or postponement.

Administrative Items The commission approved the July 11, 2024 minutes by a 7-0 vote with 1 abstention 0:30. Motion by Judy Worth, seconded by Robin Michler. Voting in favor: Larry Forester, Zach Davis, Judy Worth, William Wilson, Robin Michler, Bruce Nicol, and Mike Owens.

Performance bonds and letters of credit were unanimously approved 7-0 1:30. Motion by Zach Davis, seconded by Graham Pohl.

Development Postponements Multiple development amendments were postponed unanimously with 9-0 votes:

• PLN-FRP-24-00026 Sky View Farms Property amendment postponed to September 12, 2024 3:00
• PLN-MJDP-23-00064 Belmont Farm (Citation Centre) amendment postponed to August 22, 2024 5:00
• PLN-MJDP-24-00038 S.P. Gross Subdivision amendment postponed indefinitely 7:00
• PLN-MJDP-24-00055 Bryan Station Center, Phase 2, Lot 5 amendment postponed indefinitely 9:00
• PLN-MJDP-24-00056 Red Mile Mixed-Use Development amendment postponed to August 22, 2024 11:00
• PLN-MJDP-23-00050 Wolf Run Industrial Park amendment postponed to September 12, 2024 13:00
• PLN-MJDP-24-00037 North Parkway Acres amendment postponed to September 12, 2024 15:00
• PLN-MJDP-24-00046 Givens Property, Lot 5 amendment postponed to September 12, 2024 17:00
• PLN-MJDP-24-00049 Collins, Orrell, & Wiggins amendment postponed to September 12, 2024 19:00
• PLN-MJDP-24-00052 NDC Property, Unit 3, Lot 3 amendment postponed to September 12, 2024 21:00

Approved Items The consent agenda items were approved unanimously 9-0, excluding PLN-MJDP-24-00052 23:00. PLN-MJDP-24-00040 Pleasant Ridge Subdivision amendment passed 9-0 with revised conditions 25:00. PFR 2024-3 Lexington Senior & Therapeutic Recreation Center was approved unanimously with staff recommendations 27:00.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one significant contested item that generated heated discussion among commission members and the applicant.

Pleasant Ridge Subdivision Amendment

The primary point of contention centered on the Pleasant Ridge Subdivision Amendment, specifically regarding access requirements for Paradise Lane. The commission engaged in a heated discussion with the applicant about whether the development should maintain open access to Paradise Lane without gates.

The disagreement involved multiple perspectives on traffic flow and safety considerations. Commission members expressed concerns about the proposed gating of Paradise Lane, advocating for open access to maintain connectivity within the subdivision and surrounding areas. The applicant, however, raised counterarguments regarding traffic patterns and safety implications of unrestricted access.

Both parties presented competing views on how the access arrangement would impact the broader community. The commission's position emphasized the importance of maintaining open roadways for public access and emergency services, while the applicant's concerns focused on managing traffic volume and ensuring resident safety within the development.

The discussion highlighted the ongoing tension between private development preferences and public access requirements in subdivision planning. The heated nature of the debate suggests significant disagreement about the appropriate balance between developer autonomy and community connectivity standards.

The outcome of this contested item was not specified in the available meeting data, indicating the discussion may have continued beyond the recorded portion or been tabled for future consideration.

Sky View Farms Property Amendment

3:00

The Planning Commission considered agenda item PLN-FRP-24-00026, a property amendment for Sky View Farms involving the subdivision of an 80-acre lot into two separate 40-acre lots.

Nicholas Jerdon served as the key speaker for this agenda item. The proposed amendment would divide the existing single parcel into two equal portions of 40 acres each.

However, the item could not proceed as scheduled due to a procedural requirement. The applicant had not yet posted the required public notice sign on the property, which is a mandatory step in the subdivision review process. To address this deficiency, the applicant requested a one-month postponement of the hearing.

The Planning Commission granted the postponement request, allowing the applicant time to fulfill the posting requirement. This delay ensures that proper public notification procedures are followed before the commission reviews the subdivision proposal.

The postponement means the Sky View Farms property amendment will return to the Planning Commission's agenda at a future meeting, once the required signage has been posted and the appropriate notification period has elapsed. No substantive discussion of the merits of the subdivision proposal took place during this meeting due to the procedural issue.

Belmont Farm (Citation Centre) Amendment

5:00

The Planning Commission considered agenda item PLN-MJDP-23-00064, the Belmont Farm (Citation Centre) Amendment. The proposed amendment would depict 66,070 square feet of commercial space and associated parking circulation.

Matt Carter addressed the commission regarding this item. However, the applicant requested a two-week postponement of the discussion.

The commission granted the postponement request, and no substantive discussion of the amendment's merits took place during this meeting. The item will be rescheduled for consideration at a future meeting.

The Belmont Farm development amendment will return to the Planning Commission agenda in two weeks for full review and discussion of the proposed commercial space and parking layout modifications.

S.P. Gross Subdivision Amendment

7:00

The Planning Commission considered agenda item PLN-MJDP-24-00038, the S.P. Gross Subdivision Amendment, which proposed to redevelop the site for a gas station kiosk and pumps.

Matt Carter addressed the commission regarding this application. However, the applicant requested an indefinite postponement of the item before any substantive discussion or presentation could take place.

The commission granted the applicant's request, and the S.P. Gross Subdivision Amendment was postponed indefinitely. No further details about the proposed development, site location, or reasons for the postponement were discussed during the meeting.

The item will need to be rescheduled for a future meeting date to be determined by the applicant and planning staff.

Bryan Station Center, Phase 2, Lot 5 Amendment

9:00

The Planning Commission considered agenda item PLN-MJDP-24-00055, an amendment for Bryan Station Center, Phase 2, Lot 5. The proposed amendment was intended to depict development plans for Lot 5 within the Bryan Station Center development.

Matt Carter served as the key speaker for this agenda item. However, before any substantive discussion could take place, the applicant requested an indefinite postponement of the matter.

The commission granted the applicant's request, and the Bryan Station Center, Phase 2, Lot 5 Amendment was postponed indefinitely. No further details about the proposed development or the reasons for the postponement were discussed during the meeting.

The item will remain on hold until the applicant chooses to bring it back before the Planning Commission at a future date.

Red Mile Mixed-Use Development Amendment

11:00

The Planning Commission considered agenda item PLN-MJDP-24-00056, an amendment to the Red Mile Mixed-Use Development. The proposed amendment would depict a new hotel and entertainment building and revise the parking circulation for the development.

Matt Carter spoke regarding this agenda item during the meeting.

However, the applicant requested a two-week postponement of the item, and the Commission granted this request. As a result, no substantive discussion or presentation of the amendment details took place during this meeting.

The item was postponed to allow additional time for preparation or to address any outstanding issues before bringing the Red Mile Mixed-Use Development Amendment back before the Planning Commission for full consideration.

Wolf Run Industrial Park Amendment

The Wolf Run Industrial Park Amendment (PLN-MJDP-23-00050) was briefly addressed during the meeting 13:00. The proposed amendment seeks to depict an RV and boat storage facility within the industrial park.

Landon Sallee spoke regarding this agenda item. However, the applicant requested a one-month postponement of the discussion, and no substantive debate or presentation occurred during this meeting.

The item was postponed as requested, with the discussion to be rescheduled for a future meeting date.

North Parkway Acres Amendment

15:00

The commission considered agenda item PLN-MJDP-24-00037, the North Parkway Acres Amendment, which involves depicting the layout of buildings and parking for commercial use.

Geisler Domigan spoke on behalf of the applicant and requested a one-month postponement of the item. No detailed presentation or discussion of the amendment's specifics took place during the meeting.

The commission granted the applicant's request, and the North Parkway Acres Amendment was postponed to a future meeting date.

Givens Property, Lot 5 Amendment

17:00

The planning commission considered agenda item PLN-MJDP-24-00046, an amendment to the Givens Property development plan specifically addressing Lot 5. The proposed amendment would depict the development of Outlot 5 for restaurant use.

CESO, Inc. served as the key speaker representing the applicant for this agenda item. However, rather than proceeding with the scheduled discussion, the applicant requested a one-month postponement of the matter.

The commission granted the applicant's request, and the Givens Property Lot 5 Amendment was postponed without substantive discussion or debate. No concerns were raised during the brief consideration of the postponement request, and no presentation of the proposed restaurant development was made at this meeting.

The item will be rescheduled for consideration at a future planning commission meeting, allowing the applicant additional time to prepare their proposal for the development of Outlot 5 as a restaurant facility within the Givens Property development.

Collins, Orrell, & Wiggins Amendment

19:00

The planning commission considered agenda item PLN-MJDP-24-00049, an amendment to the Collins, Orrell, & Wiggins development project. The proposed amendment would add a car wash facility to Phase I of the development and revise the locations of both parking areas and dumpster placement within that phase.

EA Partners, representing the applicant, addressed the commission regarding the proposed changes to the previously approved development plan. The amendment represents modifications to the site layout and use mix for the first phase of construction.

However, before detailed discussion could proceed, the applicant requested a one-month postponement of the agenda item. The commission granted this request, postponing consideration of the amendment to allow additional time for preparation or refinement of the proposal.

The item was postponed without substantive debate on the merits of adding the car wash facility or the proposed changes to parking and waste management infrastructure. The postponement means the amended development plans will return to the commission for review at a future meeting, giving the applicant additional time to address any outstanding issues or provide supplementary information.

The Collins, Orrell, & Wiggins Amendment will be rescheduled for consideration at the commission's next available meeting date, pending the applicant's readiness to proceed with the review process.

NDC Property, Unit 3, Lot 3 Amendment

21:00

The Planning Commission considered agenda item PLN-MJDP-24-00052, an amendment for NDC Property, Unit 3, Lot 3. The proposed amendment involves expanding an existing church facility and revising the adjacent parking areas.

Denham Blythe spoke regarding this agenda item during the meeting. However, the applicant requested a one-month postponement of the consideration.

The Commission granted the postponement request, and no substantive discussion of the church expansion or parking revisions took place during this meeting. The item will be rescheduled for consideration at a future Planning Commission meeting.

Pleasant Ridge Subdivision Amendment

25:00

The commission reviewed agenda item PLN-MJDP-24-00040, an amendment to the Pleasant Ridge Subdivision to depict building and parking layout for a multi-family development.

Matt Carter served as the key speaker presenting the amendment details to the commission. The proposed changes focus on establishing the specific configuration of buildings and parking areas within the multi-family development project.

During the discussion, commissioners emphasized the importance of maintaining open access to Paradise Lane. The commission specifically addressed concerns about potential gating of the development, making it clear that access to Paradise Lane must remain unrestricted without gates blocking entry or exit points.

The amendment represents modifications to the previously approved subdivision plans, with the updated layout providing more detailed specifications for how the multi-family residential units and associated parking facilities will be arranged on the property.

Following the presentation and discussion of access requirements, the commission approved the Pleasant Ridge Subdivision Amendment. The approval allows the development to proceed with the revised building and parking layout while ensuring compliance with the commission's requirement for open access to Paradise Lane.

Lexington Senior & Therapeutic Recreation Center

27:00

The commission reviewed Public Facilities Review PFR 2024-3 for the construction of a new Lexington Senior & Therapeutic Recreation Center on property located on Shilito Park Road within Shilito Park.

Daniel Crum served as a key speaker during the discussion of this agenda item. The commission examined plans for the new senior center facility, which would provide recreational and therapeutic services for Lexington's senior population.

During the review process, commissioners raised specific concerns about two important aspects of the project:

• Landscaping requirements - The commission discussed the need for appropriate landscaping around the new facility to ensure it integrates well with the surrounding park environment
• Transit access - Commissioners emphasized the importance of ensuring adequate public transportation access to the facility, recognizing that many seniors rely on transit services

The discussion focused on ensuring the new senior center would be both accessible and well-integrated into the existing Shilito Park setting. The commission appeared to prioritize making sure the facility would serve the community effectively while maintaining the character of the park location.

Following their review and discussion of the landscaping and transit access concerns, the commission approved PFR 2024-3, allowing the Lexington Senior & Therapeutic Recreation Center project to move forward. The approval indicates the commission was satisfied that the project plans adequately addressed their concerns about site design and accessibility for the intended senior population.