Planning Commission Zoning Items

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission convened on July 24, 2025, at 1:30 PM in the Council Chamber on the 2nd Floor of the LFUCG Government Center, located at 200 East Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky. The meeting was presided over by Zach Davis. The Commission worked through four agenda items, taking 4 votes and hearing 1 public comment over the course of the session.

Of the four agenda items considered, two were approved, one was postponed, and one was denied. The Commission approved the minutes from a prior meeting and also approved the initiation of a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment. A zoning map amendment request from Anderson Campus Rental Properties, LLC was postponed, while an appeal brought by Olivia Rockaway was denied. No presentations are reflected in the meeting record.

Attendance

The following commissioners were recorded for the July 24, 2025 Commission meeting.

Present (7): Zach Davis, Ivy Barksdale, Mike Owens, Larry Forester, Frank Penn, Bruce Nicol, and Judy Worth.

Absent (4): Johnathon Davis, Molly Davis, Robin Michler, and Bill Wilson.

No commissioners were recorded as late.

Votes and Decisions

The Commission took four formal votes during the July 24, 2025 meeting.

• Approval of May 22, 2025 Meeting Minutes 13:33: Motioned by Larry Forester and seconded by Judy Worth, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the May 22, 2025 public hearings. The vote was 7–0, with all members in favor: Zach Davis, Ivy Barksdale, Mike Owens, Larry Forester, Frank Penn, Bruce Nicol, and Judy Worth.

• PLN-MAR-25-00007 — Postponement of Anderson Campus Rental Properties, LLC Zoning Map Amendment 15:05: Motioned by Mike Owens and seconded by Judy Worth, the Commission voted unanimously to postpone this zoning map amendment. The vote was 7–0, with all members in favor: Zach Davis, Ivy Barksdale, Mike Owens, Larry Forester, Frank Penn, Bruce Nicol, and Judy Worth.

• BOAR-25-1 — Disapproval of the Appeal for Olivia Rockaway 1:50:29: Motioned by Bruce Nicol and seconded by Ivy Barksdale, the Commission voted 6–1 to disapprove the appeal, with the disapproval based on reasons provided by Staff. Voting in favor of disapproval were Ivy Barksdale, Mike Owens, Larry Forester, Frank Penn, Bruce Nicol, and Judy Worth. Zach Davis cast the sole dissenting vote.

• Initiation of a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment — Manufactured Housing Regulations 1:56:46: Motioned by Frank Penn and seconded by Judy Worth, the Commission voted unanimously to initiate a Zoning Ordinance text amendment to update regulations pertaining to manufactured housing. The vote was 7–0, with all members in favor: Zach Davis, Ivy Barksdale, Mike Owens, Larry Forester, Frank Penn, Bruce Nicol, and Judy Worth.

Public Comment

One member of the public addressed the Commission during the public comment period at the July 24, 2025 meeting.

• Diane Lowe spoke regarding the appeal concerning 115 Penmoken Park 1:26:47. Lowe apologized that her contractor had failed to obtain the necessary permits and stated that she was willing to work with her neighbor to resolve the outstanding issues related to the matter.

No other public comments were recorded during this meeting.

Contested Items

• Olivia Rockaway Appeal (115 Penmoken Park): The Commission considered an appeal filed by Olivia Rockaway concerning a certificate of appropriateness for the property at 115 Penmoken Park. The item was contested, resulting in a split vote of 6-1 to disapprove the appeal.

Approval of Minutes

13:33

The Commission considered the minutes of the May 22, 2025 public hearings. Larry Forester and Judy Worth were the key speakers on this item. The minutes were approved without noted objection.

Anderson Campus Rental Properties, LLC Zoning Map Amendment

Case No. PLN-MAR-25-00007 | 15:05

The Commission took up a petition for a zoning map amendment submitted by Anderson Campus Rental Properties, LLC. Dick Murphy was the key speaker associated with this item.

The petition was postponed to allow for further changes to the development plan. No final decision was reached on the merits of the zoning map amendment at this meeting.

Olivia Rockaway Appeal

1:50:29

The Commission heard agenda item BOAR-25-1, an appeal filed by Olivia Rockaway concerning a certificate of appropriateness for a property located at 115 Penmoken Park.

Key speakers during this item included Daniel Crum and Bruce Simpson, who participated in the presentation and discussion of the appeal. The Commission considered the merits of the certificate of appropriateness as it related to the property in question.

Following deliberation, the Commission voted to disapprove the appeal, denying the relief sought by the appellant.

Initiation of Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment

1:56:46

The Commission took up the initiation of a text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to manufactured housing regulations. Daniel Crum presented the item, which was brought forward to bring the ordinance into compliance with House Bill 160.

The proposed text amendment would update the existing regulations governing manufactured housing to align with the requirements established under House Bill 160. The initiation of a text amendment is a procedural step that formally directs staff to begin drafting the specific regulatory language changes, which would then return to the Commission for full review and action at a later meeting.

The Commission approved the initiation of the zoning ordinance text amendment.