LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington’s land and development boundaries are expanding amid concerns from the community about that process. 

What You Need To Know

  • Ongoing discussion for the city’s comprehensive plan is moving forward with zoning proposals

  • Lexington Planning Commission is looking to help incorporate business and residential growth into the plans of the city 

  • The planning commission is engaging with people interested in what the city will look like in 2045, with the help of Fayette Alliance and the Coalition for a Livable Lexington

  • Recently, a permanent map for land development was determined by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. It calls for the lesser amount of land possible to be added

The city’s planning commission is partnering with the Coalition for a Livable Lexington, Fayette Alliance and a handful of other organizations for an open session with the community about that information.

Back in October, city leaders moved forward with a permanent map of its new urban service boundary area for its “Imagine Lexington” plans. 

Now, focus is on a new zoning ordinance text amendment, which is a proposal to incorporate residential and commercial development.

“What we’re trying to do is answer any questions/concerns that people might have about the language itself. How is this going to impact my community? How is this going to impact the future growth of Lexington?” Senior Planner Hal Baillie explained. 

All of these changes can be complicated, and it’s why they are sitting down with people to explain, answer questions and express the significance of the changes. 

“We’re looking at this text as it is focused on how we are going to grow. Is it going to be the 1980s, 70s style of development or is it going to be the new future developments that are sustainable from an environmental, social and financial perspective?” Baillie said. 

Lexington’s city council is tasked with examining the comprehensive plan every five years. This time expansion is in the works. 

The planning office helps complete council recommendations and recently decided on the acreage that would be added which was close to the minimal range of around 2,800 acres of land that will extend the current urban service area. 

Fayette Alliance and others who questioned the council’s process and research for land expansion say the new map is reasonable. A new zoning ordinance text amendment would consider development around the people and the environment. 

“That can pave the way for higher density more affordable housing you know it’s got affordable, housing special density bonuses in it and it’s just a way to change our zoning ordinance to enable the type of development that we hope to see in our community,” said Brittany Roethemeier, executive director of Fayette Alliance.  

They say the collective process for the city’s decision to expand needs data-driven research and analysis behind the move and hope to keep the public engaged.

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