Board of Adjustment Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Division of Planning Planning Services Section Board of Adjustment convened on October 13, 2025, at 1:30 PM in Council Chambers at 200 East Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky, with Bob Sturdivant presiding. The board worked through 12 agenda items spanning a range of land use matters, including variance appeals and conditional use permits. Of the substantive cases heard, the majority were approved, while one case was postponed, one was tabled, and two conditional use permit applications — for Mint Pillow Property Management, LLC and Glenwood Retreat, LLC — were denied. Across the meeting, the board took 13 votes and heard 6 public comments.

Attendance

The following seven members were present at the October 13, 2025 Board meeting:

• Bob Sturdivant
• James Persley
• Chad Walker
• Ross Boggess
• Linda Tucker
• Harry Clark
• Brandon Gross

No members were recorded as absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

The Board took the following actions at the October 13, 2025 meeting:

• April 2025 Meeting Minutes – Motioned by Linda Tucker, seconded by James Persley. Passed by voice vote. 3:30

• May 2025 Meeting Minutes – Motioned by Linda Tucker, seconded by Chad Walker. Passed by voice vote. 4:36

• PLN-BOA-25-00030 (Kane Manor LLC) – Motioned by Chad Walker, seconded by Linda Tucker. Case was postponed by voice vote. 6:12

• PLN-BOA-25-00100 (Stacy Chase – Variance) – Motioned by Harry Clark, seconded by James Persley. Approved by voice vote, subject to five conditions including construction in accordance with submitted materials. 17:04

• PLN-BOA-25-00111 (Upstart Development – Variance) – Motioned by Chad Walker, seconded by Ross Boggess. Approved by voice vote, subject to two conditions including construction in accordance with submitted materials. 38:04

• PLN-BOA-25-00107 (Thida Yi Yi – Short-Term Rental) – Motioned by Brandon Gross, seconded by Harry Clark. Application continued by voice vote. 54:16

• PLN-BOA-25-00110 (Brittany Everman – Short-Term Rental) – Motioned by Harry Clark, seconded by James Persley. Approved by voice vote, subject to four conditions including an occupancy limit of ten individuals. 57:03

• PLN-BOA-25-00112 (Janelle Blessing – Short-Term Rental) – Motioned by Chad Walker, seconded by Ross Boggess. Approved by voice vote, subject to four conditions including an occupancy limit of eight individuals. 1:04:18

• PLN-BOA-25-00113 (Pete Jackson House, LLC – Short-Term Rental) – Motioned by Harry Clark, seconded by James Persley. Approved by voice vote, subject to four conditions including an occupancy limit of four individuals. 1:08:05

• PLN-BOA-25-00106 (M3 Family Investment, LLC – Short-Term Rental) – Motioned by Ross Boggess, seconded by Harry Clark. Approved by roll call vote, 4–3. Voting in favor: Bob Sturdivant, James Persley, Ross Boggess, and Brandon Gross. Voting against: Linda Tucker, Chad Walker, and Harry Clark. Subject to four conditions including an occupancy limit of eight individuals. 1:34:22

• PLN-BOA-25-00108 (Mint Pillow Property Management, LLC – Short-Term Rental) – Motioned by Linda Tucker, seconded by James Persley. Motion to disapprove failed by voice vote. 1:52:26

• PLN-BOA-25-00109 (Glenwood Retreat, LLC – Short-Term Rental) – Motioned by Harry Clark, seconded by Linda Tucker. Motion to disapprove failed by voice vote. 2:01:21

• PLN-BOA-25-00115 (Flow State Properties – Short-Term Rental) – Motioned by Brandon Gross, seconded by Chad Walker. Approved by voice vote, subject to four conditions including an occupancy limit of six individuals. 2:06:01

Public Comment

Six residents addressed the Board during public comment, all speaking in opposition to short-term rental applications at two separate properties.

3996 Barnard Drive

Four speakers commented against the short-term rental application at 3996 Barnard Drive:

• Matt Chase raised concerns about safety and neighborhood stability, citing increased traffic and the presence of transient visitors as primary issues. 1:11:24
• Tom Lewis emphasized the unique character of the neighborhood and noted that opposition from residents was overwhelming. 1:13:29
• Clay Combs echoed concerns about the tight-knit nature of the community and potential safety risks posed by transient visitors. 1:16:11
• Amanda Tarver focused on the condition of the property itself, noting maintenance issues and a lack of upkeep. 1:19:22

808 Gunpowder Drive

Two speakers commented against the short-term rental application at 808 Gunpowder Drive:

• Tom Richards raised concerns about privacy, property modifications, and the broader impact on the neighborhood. 1:48:44
• Ron Griffin noted that the neighborhood had made a decision to prohibit short-term rentals and spoke to the potential effect on the community's fabric. 1:49:44

Across both properties, recurring themes included neighborhood safety, the impact of transient visitors on established communities, and residents' desire to preserve the character of their neighborhoods.

Contested Items

Three short-term rental applications generated notable dispute at the October 13, 2025 Board meeting, with two resulting in disapproval and one passing despite community opposition.

• M3 Family Investment, LLC — This short-term rental application drew significant opposition from community members, who raised concerns about safety and neighborhood stability. Despite this opposition, the Board approved the application. The record does not indicate whether conditions were attached to the approval.

• Mint Pillow Property Management, LLC — The Board disapproved this short-term rental application based on a documented history of compliance issues with short-term rental regulations. The applicant's prior record with regulatory requirements was the central basis for the denial.

• Glenwood Retreat, LLC — This application was also disapproved. The Board cited two distinct grounds for denial: compliance issues on the part of the applicant, and the presence of existing short-term rentals already operating within 600 feet of the proposed location. The proximity of other short-term rentals reflects a regulatory consideration aimed at limiting concentration of such uses within a given area.

Taken together, the three applications illustrate the range of factors the Board weighs in short-term rental decisions, including operator compliance history, neighborhood proximity rules, and community input.

Approval of Minutes

3:30

The board considered the meeting minutes from April and May 2025. Bob Sturdivant was the key speaker on this item. The minutes were approved without noted objection.

Postponement of Kane Manor LLC Case

6:12

The board took up the matter of case PLN-BOA-25-00030, concerning Kane Manor LLC. Bob Sturdivant addressed the board regarding this item, presenting the request to delay consideration of the case.

Following the discussion, the board approved the postponement of the Kane Manor LLC case to the November meeting.

Variance Appeal for Stacy Chase

17:04

The board took up agenda item PLN-BOA-25-00100, a variance appeal submitted by Stacy Chase requesting a reduction in side yard setbacks.

Harry Clark was the key speaker on this item, presenting the variance request to the board for consideration and discussion.

The board discussed the request and ultimately voted to approve the variance, allowing the reduction in side yard setbacks as sought by the applicant.

*Note: Additional details regarding the specific dimensions of the requested setback reduction, any conditions attached to the approval, concerns raised during deliberation, and the vote count are not available in the provided record.*

Variance Appeal for Upstart Development

38:04

The board took up agenda item PLN-BOA-25-00111, a variance appeal submitted by Upstart Development. Chad Walker was the key speaker during this portion of the meeting.

The board discussed the variance request, and the item was ultimately approved with conditions.

*Note: The available record for this agenda item is limited. Specific details regarding the nature of the variance, the conditions attached to the approval, any concerns raised during deliberation, and the full scope of the presentation are not reflected in the provided data. Readers seeking the complete discussion are encouraged to review the meeting video beginning at timestamp 38:04.*

Conditional Use Permit for Thida Yi Yi

54:16

The Board took up agenda item PLN-BOA-25-00107, a conditional use permit application submitted by Thida Yi Yi for a short-term rental. Brandon Gross was the key speaker during this portion of the meeting.

Following discussion, the Board decided to continue the hearing on this application to the next scheduled meeting rather than reaching a final decision at this session. The item was effectively tabled, with no final determination made on the conditional use permit at this time.

Further details regarding the specific concerns raised, the nature of the presentation, or the reasons for continuing the hearing are not available in the provided record. Applicants and interested parties should monitor the agenda for the next Board meeting, at which this item is expected to be taken up again.

Conditional Use Permit for Brittany Everman

57:03

The Board took up agenda item PLN-BOA-25-00110, a Conditional Use Permit application submitted by Brittany Everman for a short-term rental.

Harry Clark was the key speaker during this agenda item. The Board discussed the application and ultimately voted to approve the Conditional Use Permit.

No additional details regarding specific concerns raised, conditions attached to the approval, or the particulars of the property were included in the available record for this item.

Conditional Use Permit for Janelle Blessing

1:04:18

The Board took up agenda item PLN-BOA-25-00112, a Conditional Use Permit application submitted by Janelle Blessing for a short-term rental. Chad Walker was the key speaker during this portion of the meeting.

The Board discussed the application and ultimately approved the Conditional Use Permit, though the approval was granted with a lesser occupancy than what may have been originally requested or considered. No additional details regarding the specific occupancy limits, the property location, or the particular concerns that led to the reduced occupancy determination are available in the record.

• Applicant: Janelle Blessing
• Application Type: Short-term rental Conditional Use Permit
• Case Number: PLN-BOA-25-00112
• Outcome: Approved with lesser occupancy
• Key Speaker: Chad Walker

Conditional Use Permit for Pete Jackson House, LLC

1:08:05

The Board took up agenda item PLN-BOA-25-00113, a conditional use permit application submitted by Pete Jackson House, LLC for a short-term rental.

• Key Speaker: Harry Clark participated in the discussion of this item.
• Outcome: The Board approved the conditional use permit application.

*Note: Detailed information on the specific arguments presented, any concerns raised during deliberation, and the vote tally are not available in the source data for this item.*

Conditional Use Permit for M3 Family Investment, LLC

1:34:22

The Board took up agenda item PLN-BOA-25-00106, a Conditional Use Permit application submitted by M3 Family Investment, LLC, pertaining to a short-term rental.

• Key speaker: Ross Boggess participated in the discussion of this item.
• Community opposition: The application faced opposition from the community, though the specific concerns raised by opponents are not detailed in the available record.
• Outcome: Despite the community opposition, the Board approved the Conditional Use Permit for M3 Family Investment, LLC.

*Note: Additional details regarding the specific arguments presented, the nature of the community concerns, and the Board's reasoning for approval are not available in the source materials for this item.*

Conditional Use Permit for Mint Pillow Property Management, LLC

1:52:26

The Board took up agenda item PLN-BOA-25-00108, a conditional use permit application submitted by Mint Pillow Property Management, LLC for a short-term rental.

Linda Tucker was the key speaker during this agenda item. The Board discussed the application and identified compliance issues that factored into its deliberations.

Following the discussion, the Board disapproved the conditional use permit application. The denial was based on the compliance issues raised during the review of the short-term rental application.

Conditional Use Permit for Glenwood Retreat, LLC

Agenda Item: PLN-BOA-25-00109 | 2:01:21

The Board took up the conditional use permit application submitted by Glenwood Retreat, LLC for a short-term rental operation. Harry Clark was the key speaker during this agenda item.

The Board's discussion centered on two primary compliance issues that prevented approval of the application:

• Existing rentals within proximity: The application ran afoul of regulations concerning the concentration of short-term rentals, as existing rental properties were already operating within 600 feet of the proposed location.
• Compliance issues: Additional compliance concerns were identified with the application that further precluded the Board from granting approval.

Following the discussion, the Board disapproved the conditional use permit application for Glenwood Retreat, LLC.

Conditional Use Permit for Flow State Properties

2:06:01

The board took up agenda item PLN-BOA-25-00115, a conditional use permit application submitted by Flow State Properties for a short-term rental.

Brandon Gross was the key speaker on this item. The board discussed the application as presented before moving to a decision.

• Outcome: The board approved the conditional use permit for Flow State Properties.

*Note: Detailed information about the specific arguments made, concerns raised, or conditions attached to the approval was not available in the source materials for this item.*