Urban County Council Zone Change Public Hearing

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council met on November 19, 2025, at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers in Lexington, KY, with Vice Mayor Wu presiding. The meeting's agenda centered on a single item — Ordinance 0992-25, a proposed zone change — which was ultimately denied by the Council. Over the course of the meeting, 1 vote was taken, 3 public comments were heard, and no presentations were recorded in the meeting data.

Attendance

All 15 council members were present at the November 19, 2025 Council meeting. No members were absent or late.

Present: Morton, Reynolds, Sevigny, Sheehan, Wu, Beasley, Boone, Brown, Curtis, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Hale, Higgins-Hord, LeGris, and Lynch.

Votes and Decisions

The Council held one recorded vote during the November 19, 2025 meeting.

Ordinance 0992-25 — A motion to approve an ordinance changing the zone from a Medium Density Residential (R-4) zone to a Downtown Frame Business (B-2a) zone was made by Ms. Elliott Baxter and seconded by Ms. Sheehan. The motion failed on a roll call vote of 7 ayes to 8 nays. 6:03:24

• Voting in favor (7): Sheehan, Wu, Beasley, Boone, Elliott Baxter, Hale, and Lynch
• Voting against (8): Morton, Reynolds, Sevigny, Brown, Curtis, Ellinger, Higgins-Hord, and LeGris

There were no abstentions. The rezoning request did not receive the votes necessary to pass.

Public Comment

Three members of the public addressed the Council during the comment period, with speakers divided on a proposed zone change.

• Audrey Matthews Fields 1:36:39 read letters from residents opposing the zone change, focusing on its potential effects on affordable housing and the displacement of community members. Her comments reflected broader neighborhood concerns about who would be affected by the proposed change.

• Rich Skimming 1:44:15 also spoke in opposition, emphasizing the historical significance of the area in question. He criticized the effect that student housing developments have had on community character, framing the zone change as a continuation of that trend.

• Matt Burton 1:47:29 offered a contrasting view, speaking in support of the zone change. He argued that high-density housing near campus is needed and that the proposal represents a beneficial approach to strategic urban growth.

The public comment period surfaced a clear divide between residents concerned about displacement and community character on one side, and those prioritizing housing density and urban development on the other.

Contested Items

• Zone Change from R-4 to B-2a: This item drew significant community opposition. Residents raised concerns about displacement, the potential loss of affordable housing, and the impact the proposed rezoning could have on the historic character of the neighborhood. The disagreement centered on whether the zone change — which would shift the designation from a residential classification (R-4) to a commercial one (B-2a) — was appropriate given these community impacts. No outcome information is available in the provided record.

Ordinance 0992-25 Zone Change

6:03:24

The Council took up Ordinance 0992-25, a proposed zone change that would have reclassified properties on Maxwell St. and Kalmia Ave. from Medium Density Residential (R-4) to Downtown Frame Business (B-2a).

Key speakers on this item included Vice Mayor Wu, Daniel Crumb, Brandon Gross, and Jessica Winters. The proposal drew significant public opposition during discussion, with concerns centered on two primary issues: displacement of current residents and the preservation of the area's historical character. Opponents raised objections to converting what is currently medium-density residential land into downtown-oriented commercial zoning, arguing the change posed risks to the existing community in the affected neighborhoods.

The ordinance was ultimately denied by the Council.