Planning Commission - Zoning Items

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission held a meeting on July 23, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. ET in the Council Chamber, 2nd Floor LFUCG Government Center, located at 200 East Main Street in Lexington, Kentucky. The Commission considered five agenda items during the meeting, taking nine motions and votes and hearing five public comments.

The Commission approved three items: the Lane Allen Park, Lots 2 & 3 Preliminary Subdivision Plan; the Plumbers and Steam Fitters Local 452 Building Corporation Map Amendment; and the Cell Tower Expansion at 2280 Hume Road. The Commission also approved the Downtown Area Master Plan. One item—the RAK Properties Lexington, LLC Map Amendment Request—was tabled for further consideration at a future meeting.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the Commission meeting on July 23, 2026:

• Ivy Barksdale
• Mike Owens
• Judy Worth
• Zach Davis
• Molly Davis
• Larry Forester
• Robin Michler
• Bruce Nicol
• William Wilson

No members were absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

The Commission took action on nine items during the July 23, 2026 meeting.

Postponements

The Commission unanimously postponed the public hearing on ZOTA 26-7 to August 27, 2026 6:39. Motion by Mike Owens, seconded by Zach Davis.

The Commission unanimously postponed the Mount Laurel Land Company map amendment request to August 27, 2026 9:21. Motion by Mike Owens, seconded by Jonathan Davis.

Subdivision and Waiver Approvals

The Commission unanimously approved the preliminary subdivision plan for Lane Allen Park, Lots 2 & 3 (PLN-MJSUB-26-00004) 25:14. The approval includes 11 conditions required by staff. Motion seconded by Larry Forester.

The Commission unanimously approved a waiver for Lane Allen Park, Lots 2 & 3 (PLN-WAV-26-00020) 26:37. Motion seconded by Larry Forester.

Zone Map Amendments and Development Plans

The Commission unanimously approved a zone map amendment for Plumbers and Steam Fitters Local 452 Building Corporation (PLN-MAR-26-00013) 45:51. The approval includes removal of item 22 and highlighted restrictions. Motion by Larry Forester, seconded by Judy Worth.

The Commission unanimously approved the development plan for South Side Technical Center (PLN-MJDP-26-47) 46:56. The approval includes 14 conditions as provided by staff. Motion seconded by William Wilson.

The Commission failed to approve a zone map amendment for RAK Properties Lexington, LLC (PLN-MAR-26-00012) 3:36:51. The roll call vote resulted in 4 ayes and 4 nays. Voting in favor were Mike Owens and Bruce Nicol. Voting against was William Wilson and three other commissioners.

Cell Tower and Comprehensive Plan

The Commission unanimously approved a cell tower expansion at 2280 Hume Road (PLN-CELL-26-4) 4:02:10. The approval includes conditions provided by staff. Motion by William Wilson.

The Commission unanimously adopted a resolution to add the Downtown Area Master Plan as an addendum to the 2023 Comprehensive Plan 4:58:44. Motion seconded by Molly Davis.

Public Comment

Five speakers addressed the Commission during the public comment period.

Lauren Nichols requested a postponement of the ZOTA application to allow time for consideration of revised language from staff 5:33.

Braden Stemper expressed support for the Lane Allen Park project, emphasizing the need for additional housing in Lexington 24:39.

Dan Stratton spoke on behalf of the Tuscany neighborhood in opposition to a proposed zoning change for RAK Properties. He cited concerns about disruption to the comprehensive plan 2:03:52.

Robert Hodge raised concerns about the planning process itself, expressing distrust based on historical displacement of African-American communities 4:33:36.

Yolanda addressed concerns about potential displacement of businesses on Newtown Pike due to proposed development in that area 4:38:23.

Contested Items

RAK Properties Lexington, LLC Map Amendment Request

The Commission voted on a zone map amendment request from RAK Properties Lexington, LLC, which resulted in a tied vote. Due to this split decision, the matter requires reconsideration within 30 days.

Downtown Area Master Plan

Community members raised concerns during discussion of the Downtown Area Master Plan, expressing opposition to the proposal. Specifically, residents voiced concerns about potential displacement resulting from the plan and indicated a lack of trust in the planning process itself.

Lane Allen Park, Lots 2 & 3 Preliminary Subdivision Plan

Identifier: PLN-MJSUB-26-00004

The Commission discussed the preliminary subdivision plan for Lane Allen Park, Lots 2 & 3 10:05. The agenda item focused on requirements not met and waiver requests associated with the proposed subdivision.

Key Speakers

Chris Cheney and Jeremy Young presented and discussed the subdivision plan with the Commission.

Outcome

The preliminary subdivision plan was approved.

Plumbers and Steam Fitters Local 452 Building Corporation Map Amendment

The Commission discussed a zone map amendment request for Plumbers and Steam Fitters Local 452 Building Corporation to establish a trade school 28:16.

Key Speakers

Dalton Belcher and Chris Cheney presented on this agenda item.

Outcome

The zone map amendment was approved.

RAK Properties Lexington, LLC Map Amendment Request

Identifier: PLN-MAR-26-00012

The Commission discussed a zone map amendment request submitted by RAK Properties Lexington, LLC to rezone a property from Professional Office to Medium Density Residential. 3:36:51

Key Speakers

The discussion involved Jeremy Young and Dick Murphy.

Outcome

The Commission tabled this agenda item, deferring further consideration to a future meeting.

Cell Tower Expansion at 2280 Hume Road

Identifier: PLN-CELL-26-4

The Commission discussed a proposal to expand an existing cell tower located at 2280 Hume Road by increasing its height to 139 feet. 4:02:10

Key Speakers

Daniel Crum and Russell Brown presented and discussed the expansion proposal.

Outcome

The Commission approved the cell tower expansion at 2280 Hume Road.

Downtown Area Master Plan

The Commission received a presentation and discussion on the Downtown Area Master Plan during the meeting held on July 23, 2026. The presentation was led by Boyd Sewee and Andrew, who covered the plan's details, public engagement efforts, and proposed revisions 4:03:14.

The agenda item included a comprehensive review of the master plan, with particular attention given to community input and feedback that had been incorporated into the plan's development. The speakers presented information on the public engagement process and outlined the revisions that had been made to the plan based on stakeholder input.

Following the presentation and discussion, the Commission voted to approve the Downtown Area Master Plan. The approval represents the Commission's endorsement of the planning document and the direction it establishes for downtown development and improvements.