Special Planning Commission Meeting and Planning Commission Work Session

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission convened on September 19, 2024, at 1:30 PM in the 3rd Floor Conference Room of the Phoenix Building at 101 E. Vine Street in Lexington, Kentucky. The commission addressed four agenda items during the session, including one action item and three informational presentations. The commission took two votes during the meeting and heard no public comments.

The primary business item involved addressing a Planning Commission vacancy, which received approval from the commission members. The remaining agenda focused on informational updates covering municipal stormwater management and comprehensive planning initiatives. Staff provided the MS4 Annual Update, detailing the city's compliance with federal stormwater regulations. Additionally, commissioners received presentations on the UGMP Regulatory Framework and the UGM ZOTA and UGMP Comprehensive Plan Update, both related to ongoing urban growth management and zoning ordinance revisions.

The meeting served primarily as an informational session to keep commissioners updated on various planning and regulatory matters affecting Lexington-Fayette County's development and environmental compliance requirements.

Votes and Decisions

The Commission took two votes during the September 19, 2024 meeting, both related to filling a vacancy on the Planning Commission.

Motion to Enter Closed Session 0:30 Mr. Wilson made a motion to go into closed session for the purpose of a discussion that might lead to the appointment of a planning commission member. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote, with no second recorded.

Appointment to Planning Commission 2:00 Following the closed session discussion, Mr. Owens made a motion to approve Frank Penn to fill the vacancy on the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Mr. Jones and passed by voice vote with no opposition recorded.

Both votes were conducted by voice vote rather than formal roll call, so individual member votes were not recorded in the meeting record.

Appointments

The Commission made one appointment during the September 19, 2024 meeting.

• Frank Penn was appointed to the Planning Commission.

The appointment was processed as part of the Commission's regular business to fill vacant positions on city boards and commissions.

Planning Commission Vacancy

2:00 The Planning Commission addressed a vacancy that needed to be filled for a term ending July 1, 2028. The discussion involved consideration of appointing a new member to serve on the commission.

During the proceedings, several commissioners participated in the discussion, including Mr. Wilson, Mr. Owens, and Mr. Jones. The commissioners reviewed the application and qualifications of the candidate under consideration.

Frank Penn was presented as the candidate to fill the vacant position on the Planning Commission. The commissioners discussed his background and suitability for the role during their deliberations.

Following their review and discussion of the appointment, the Planning Commission voted to approve Frank Penn's appointment to fill the vacancy. Penn will serve a term that runs through July 1, 2028, completing the remainder of the vacant position's term.

The appointment was successfully approved, allowing the Planning Commission to return to full membership with Penn's addition to the board.

MS4 Annual Update

3:00

Bailee Young from the Division of Water Quality presented the annual update on the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program to the Commission. The presentation focused on the program's inspection activities and compliance efforts related to stormwater quality management.

Young provided an overview of the MS4 program's regulatory framework and its role in protecting water quality by managing stormwater runoff from municipal storm sewer systems. The update covered inspection protocols and compliance monitoring activities conducted throughout the reporting period.

The presentation addressed how the Division of Water Quality works with municipalities and other entities to ensure adherence to MS4 permit requirements. Young discussed the program's approach to evaluating stormwater management practices and identifying areas where improvements may be needed to protect water resources.

The update served as an informational briefing for Commissioners, providing insight into the ongoing efforts to maintain stormwater quality standards across the state's municipal storm sewer systems. The MS4 program represents a key component of North Carolina's broader water quality protection strategy, requiring covered entities to implement measures that reduce pollutants in stormwater discharge.

No formal action was required on this agenda item, as it was presented for informational purposes to keep the Commission informed about the program's activities and compliance status.

UGMP Regulatory Framework

4:00

Caleb Racinot from TSW Design presented information on potential regulatory standards for implementing the Urban Growth Boundary Master Plan (UGMP). The presentation focused on establishing appropriate regulatory frameworks to guide development within the urban growth boundary.

Racinot discussed the balance between flexibility and specificity in zoning and planning regulations for the UGMP implementation. The presentation addressed how regulatory standards could be structured to support the master plan's objectives while providing clear guidance for future development projects.

The discussion centered on creating regulatory frameworks that would effectively implement the Urban Growth Boundary Master Plan's vision and goals. TSW Design's analysis examined various approaches to zoning and planning regulations that could accommodate the master plan's requirements.

This was an informational presentation with no formal action taken by the Commission. The discussion provided background information on regulatory considerations for the UGMP implementation process.

UGM ZOTA and UGMP Comprehensive Plan Update

5:00 Hal Baillie from Long Range Planning presented updates on the UGM ZOTA (Urban Growth Management Zone of Transition Amendment) and UGMP (Urban Growth Management Plan) Comprehensive Plan to the Commission.

Baillie's presentation focused on proposed changes to zoning and planning policies designed to better align with the master plan. The updates represent ongoing efforts to coordinate zoning regulations with comprehensive planning objectives in the urban growth management areas.

The presentation was informational in nature, providing commissioners with an overview of the current status of these planning initiatives and the proposed modifications being considered. The discussion centered on how the zoning amendments and comprehensive plan updates would work together to implement the community's long-term vision for development and growth management.

This agenda item served as a briefing for the Commission, allowing members to stay informed about the progress of these significant planning documents that will guide future development decisions in the jurisdiction's urban growth areas.