Planning Commission - Zoning Items

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Planning Commission met on August 27, 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 addressed four agenda items during the meeting, approving all items that came before it. The meeting included 12 motions and votes, with 11 members of the public providing comments. All four agenda items—the Approval of Minutes, the WML Properties LLC Development Plan, the RAK Properties LLC Zone Change, and the Zone Map Amendment for 512 and 518 East Main Street—were approved by the Commission.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the Commission meeting on August 27, 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

Approval of July 23rd and July 30th Minutes 1:09 The Commission approved the minutes from July 23rd and July 30th with one amendment to the July 30th minutes. The motion was made by Jonathan Davis. One abstention was recorded.

Postponements

The following items were unanimously postponed:

• PLN-MAR-26-8: South Broadway Project Owner, LLC, MAP Amendment Request and Parker Tobacco Company, Inc. 2:45 — Motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. Wilson

• PLN-MAR-26-18: Anderson Communities, LLC, MAP Amendment Request 4:00 — Motion by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Larry Forrester

• PLN-ZOTA-26-7: Goodwill Industries attended donation center ZOTA 5:02 — Motion by Mr. Forrester, seconded by Commissioner Wirth

• PLN-MJDP-26-24: Mount Laurel Lands Company property (indefinite postponement) 6:03 — Motion by Mr. Owens, seconded by Commissioner Forrester

• PLN-MAR-26-16: Oak Age Entry LLC zone change 7:10 — Motion by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Forrester

• PLN-MAR-26-17: Ball Homes development plan 7:40 — Motion by Mr. Forrester, seconded by Mr. Wilson

Approvals

• PLN-MJDP-26-30: WML Properties LLC development plan — Unanimously approved 1:28:30. Motion by Mr. Mickler, seconded by Mr. Wilson. Conditions: Hours of operation limited to 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; no amplified music or television on patio.

• PLN-MAR-26-12: RAK Properties LLC zone change — Approved 7-2 1:32:01. Motion by Mr. Owens, seconded by Commissioner Nichol. Voting in favor: Mr. Owens, Commissioner Nichol, Mr. Forrester, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Mickler, Mr. Davis, Mr. Nicol. Voting against: Mr. Wirth, Mr. Burton.

• PLN-MJDP-26-32: Hamburg Place Farm development plan — Approved 7-2 1:36:24. Motion by Mr. Owens, seconded by Mr. Nickel. Voting in favor: Mr. Owens, Mr. Nickel, Mr. Forrester, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Mickler, Mr. Davis, Mr. Nicol. Voting against: Mr. Wirth, Mr. Burton.

• PLN-MAR-26-15: Zone map amendment for 512 and 518 East Main Street — Approved 7-1 2:27:32. Motion by Mr. Forrester, seconded by Commissioner Nichol. Voting in favor: Mr. Forrester, Commissioner Nichol, Mr. Owens, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Mickler, Mr. Davis, Mr. Nicol. Voting against: Mr. Wirth.

• PLN-MJDP-26-55: Development plan for 512 and 518 East Main Street — Approved 7-1 2:31:35. Motion by Mr. Forrester, seconded by Mr. Nickel. Voting in favor: Mr. Forrester, Mr. Nickel, Mr. Owens, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Mickler, Mr. Davis, Mr. Nicol. Voting against: Mr. Wirth. Condition: 512 East Main will remain intact during construction of the Lexingtonian.

Public Comment

Eleven speakers addressed the Commission regarding concerns about the Two Keys development plan and related issues.

Opposition to Two Keys Development

Multiple speakers expressed opposition to the Two Keys development plan, citing various concerns:

• Mark Matthews [0:33:52] raised issues with non-permitted construction, noise, and lack of neighborhood consultation.
• Quincy Glass [0:37:12] voiced concerns about noise and the proximity of the patio to residential homes, affecting peace and privacy.
• Charlton Clay [0:40:40] highlighted the size of the patio, lack of a drainage study, and inadequate privacy fencing.
• David Burton [0:43:33] discussed the proximity of the patio to residential areas and concerns about the nature of the business.
• Terry Lenny [0:46:43] summarized neighborhood opposition and concerns about the impact on residential quality of life.
• Chris Mossman [0:57:24] highlighted concerns about the Two Keys brand and its fit within the residential neighborhood.

Impact on Residents

Speakers representing student and tenant residents addressed safety and quality of life concerns:

• Micah Poston [0:49:54] spoke on behalf of tenants and their parents about concerns regarding noise and safety.
• Emma [0:51:59] expressed concerns about noise, safety, and the impact on students' ability to study and live peacefully.

Zoning and Historic Preservation

Two speakers addressed historical and preservation concerns:

• Elizabeth Hicks [0:54:09] discussed the historical zoning context and concerns about the appropriateness of the outdoor bar.
• Zach Leonard [2:22:00] requested a note on the development plan to preserve 512 East Main during construction.
• Amy Clark [2:25:17] expressed disappointment in the lack of regard for historic preservation and the impact on the community.

Contested Items

The Commission meeting on August 27, 2026 addressed three contested matters:

Two Keys Development Plan

The Two Keys Development Plan generated significant community opposition. Residents raised concerns about noise, safety, and the potential impact on the residential neighborhood. The specific outcome of the vote on this item is not documented in the available meeting data.

RAK Properties Zone Change

The Commission voted on a zone change for RAK Properties, approving it with a 7-2 vote. The split decision indicated division among commissioners regarding the appropriateness of the proposed zone change.

Historic Preservation Concerns

Community members expressed disappointment regarding the treatment of historic preservation in development plans affecting East Main Street properties. Residents indicated concern that historic preservation was not being given adequate consideration in the proposed developments.

Approval of Minutes

0:00

The Commission reviewed and approved the minutes from two previous meetings held on July 23rd and July 30th.

Jonathan Davis led the discussion on the minutes. The Commission approved the July 23rd minutes without modification. For the July 30th minutes, the Commission approved them with one amendment.

The minutes were approved as amended.

WML Properties LLC Development Plan

Identifier: PLN-MJDP-26-30

The Commission discussed the development plan for WML Properties LLC during the meeting on August 27, 2026. 9:20

Key Speakers

The discussion involved Mr. Mickler and Mr. Owens.

Topics Discussed

The Commission addressed several aspects of the proposed development plan, including:

• Noise concerns
• Drainage issues
• Impact on the neighborhood

Outcome

The Commission approved the WML Properties LLC Development Plan.

RAK Properties LLC Zone Change

Agenda Item: PLN-MAR-26-12

The Commission discussed a zone change request submitted by RAK Properties LLC. The discussion focused on transportation and connectivity considerations related to the proposed zone change.

Key Participants

Mr. Owens and Mr. Wilson were the primary speakers during this agenda item.

Outcome

The Commission approved the zone change request for RAK Properties LLC.

1:32:01

Zone Map Amendment for 512 and 518 East Main Street

The Commission discussed a zone map amendment for properties located at 512 and 518 East Main Street under agenda item PLN-MAR-26-15 2:27:32.

Key Participants

Mr. Forrester and Mr. Mickler were the primary speakers during this discussion.

Topics Discussed

The Commission examined the proposed zone map amendment for the two East Main Street properties. Discussion centered on two main areas of concern:

• Historic preservation considerations for the affected properties
• Street activation and its relationship to the proposed zoning changes

Outcome

The Commission approved the zone map amendment for 512 and 518 East Main Street.