[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6671779,"mediaKeyId","2144188-be397840448e21647f56b750157fb752","parentId",2144188,"title","Division of Planning reviews Imagine Lexington 2045 work: 117 implementation tasks, new outreach section and public data hub launched","audioSeconds",3018,"startMs",3079000,"endMs",6097000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144188-be397840448e21647f56b750157fb752&start=3079&end=6097","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144188-be397840448e21647f56b750157fb752/thumbnail_3079000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6671779/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Division-of-Planning-reviews-Imagine-Lexington-2045-work-117-implementation-tasks-new-outreach-section-and-public-data-hub-launched","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671779-cea8787ea4b5c4a2b7897f5b07ab8d8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188852&Signature=TCj2LnAQdllA36SnTTwQPEZFx8PuWVfqOFZlwkrfbN9NxJAU7DgsAyxWqpfRs3JCi1Todj3Ovxl9Lb8BETTmAi0BZpbe29j--Ft9RsLHKBRO9z2NsfpwlsChWXxQnIQmv3M~z5jdMU36sVn0i754TGw7pb1T1Bz7ZnVBdYviDPr0hrCtemta7-EWa~wJFoeIn8Ydlya-bUQzoOYA35itDpCbHmVZhHS8dkIS7gQ14G3u7YDzipCjDuVRV00-L16~1Uay72uczs6faPl5khlf3bVu5c53I0vEghN69Obk4TrjbkqDNg3IjmLpR8-q6MCOaKmBEWhlUhwN9ZP1YtGTvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lexington","date","2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","article","Planners gave the commission a year‑end status update on implementation of Imagine Lexington 2045, related studies and departmental changes on Jan. 23, highlighting a new outreach section and a public data portal.

Kenzie Gleeson, the newly appointed manager of Outreach and Strategic Planning, said the division has 117 implementation tasks in the comprehensive plan. \"About 11% have been completed so far,\" Gleeson said, and roughly 40% have not yet seen substantial work. Gleeson outlined major ongoing efforts including the Urban Growth Master Plan (UGMP), a Complete Streets action plan, the Nicholasville Road feasibility study, the Campus-to-Commons connectivity plan, a Greenway master plan, and the Climate Action Plan (including an emissions dashboard tool called ClimateView).

Gleeson described the new Outreach and Strategic Planning section’s goals: increase public understanding of planning principles, broaden engagement, run demonstration projects and help implement adopted plans. She said the new unit had filled two of four positions and will continue hiring.

Hal Bailey and other managers reviewed recent planning activity and casework statistics. Bailey reported 18 zoning map amendment cases in the preceding year (13 approved, 3 denied, 2 pending) and about 100 major development-plan applications consistent with recent historical volumes. He noted a large rise in Board of Adjustment work—driven in part by conditional-use permit filings for short‑term rentals—and pointed to accessory dwelling unit (ADU) filings increasing after council changes in 2023.

Data and transparency: staff launched the Imagine Lexington Data Research Center as a public-facing clearinghouse for planning data. The web portal groups community demographics, land use, environment and other datasets; staff said the platform is intended for monthly/quarterly updates, downloadable tables, and accessibility. \"We want to update our data more frequently so people have the information they need to make decisions,\" Bailey said.

Staff also summarized completed and ongoing studies: the UGMP (adopted October 2024) which sets a baseline 16,000 dwelling-unit target for expansion areas; the Campus-to-Commons bicycle/pedestrian connections; the Liberty Road trail link; the Nicholasville Road feasibility study (9–18 months remaining); and the Complete Streets design manual update. Planners said some tasks will require interdepartmental coordination (traffic engineering, environmental services) and outside grant funding for capital projects.

Ending: Managers asked commissioners to review posted materials, attend outreach events, and consider the new data portal as staff continues to add maps and datasets. Staff said the division will remain available to neighborhood groups and commissioners as regulatory changes, studies and outreach continue.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lexington - Planning Commission Work Session - Jan 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Planners gave the commission a year‑end status update on implementation of Imagine Lexington 2045 and related studies on Jan. 23, highlighting a new outreach unit and a public data portal.","taxTitle","Lexington City, Fayette County, Kentucky","taxId",5707,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671789,"Lexington staff outlines ordinance rewrite to comply with House Bill 443, limits on commission discretion",1811,431000,2242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144188-be397840448e21647f56b750157fb752&start=431&end=2242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144188-be397840448e21647f56b750157fb752/thumbnail_431000.jpg","/articles/6671789/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Lexington-staff-outlines-ordinance-rewrite-to-comply-with-House-Bill-443-limits-on-commission-discretion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671789-33dc38d52160ce3d116ead1e3cd94fc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188852&Signature=XA3NRr6RayVog0~8yXFRJUJDuS6d6XkRKBStbGQKZ7Wc3B0e36RS-NbRi8DUSZ5MxgoaBw4b5L3rMhbBwO0nQLy~lrkHEvaKxl~w0JqVgez3lh2E3jr74k~F65Ejutkm0Mhz1Zrj2EtCq65EeXIWRJk5LwnLlwLWb3K8O9tAMn7PnKqGs~3eo4B21t5ysnr7WAQ~~Enj~rxeEd5TIZJfX9IWn2JDJ-wug8asfCDUM9NehG8tpJYWjQ4YQeI1gdpFTSi8UzldfM7bu~a1oP0zERMkpbm7Foa9B9g7VjWEH-WIlixTMdgZa3JMnYnH564ZMu0Sf4WmrcusDgDYOjMpOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lexington planning staff briefed the Planning Commission on January 23 about changes they will propose to the city's zoning and subdivision regulations to comply with House Bill 443, and the timetable to have the changes in effect by July 1, 2025.

The discussion centered on the law's requirement that local rules for subdivision plats and development plans be \"objective standards\" and administered ministerially under KRS 100. \"House Bill 443 was adopted April 4, 2024, in order to create a new section of KRS 100 that ... mandates that local governments update their processes,\" Tracy Wade, planning staff presenter, told the commission. Wade said the staff has drafted text amendments to update definitions and many articles of the zoning ordinance, revise development-plan procedures, and clarify when the commission can exercise discretion.

Why it matters: The staff said the changes will constrain the commission's current practice of using judgment on some development-plan details. Wade said many aspects of the current zoning ordinance already use objective, measurable standards (setbacks, height limits) but that some provisions and procedures will have to be rewritten so approvals that meet adopted standards can be handled administratively without further hearings.

Staff described the practical effect: preliminary development plans tied to zone changes will continue to come to the commission because zone changes are discretionary, but many final development plans that meet objective criteria will be certified and approved through staff technical review and may never reach the commission. When an applicant does not meet every objective requirement, the applicant may be offered a one-month revision window to comply; if the applicant declines or cannot comply, the staff would forward a waiver or discretionary request to the planning commission and subdivision committee for review.

Wade and a City Law Department attorney warned the commission that the statute leaves little room for subjective standards such as \"substantial compliance.\" The law department attorney said staff should avoid open-ended terms in notes attached to approvals. \"If we go to that route where we ask for them to do something that is gonna open the door for an interpretive of what does that mean, we may run afoul of the statute,\" the attorney said.

Key policy and process items staff identified include: revising ordinance definitions for clarity; removing discretionary criteria where objective standards can be used; specifying a clear waiver request process with explicit grounds and notice; adopting commercial access standards from Traffic Engineering; and clarifying which changes to conditional zoning restrictions require a second council hearing.

Public notice and timing: Staff said it will provide initiation text to the commission next week and mail notices in February to registered neighborhood associations. The schedule staff presented calls for zoning committee discussion and a public hearing in March, referral to Urban County Council in May–June, and an adoption target of July 1, 2025, to meet the statutory deadline. Wade said staff will recommend borrowing language from Louisville’s ordinance for the waiver/waiver-notice model and that Louisville notifies adjacent property owners when waiver requests are considered.

Commissioners asked how the changes might affect creative or contextual design outcomes that previously relied on discretionary discussion at commission hearings. Commissioner (recorded in transcript as) Mister Nichols/Nickel raised the concern that some innovative projects have relied on negotiated, discretionary agreements made at zone-change hearings. Staff said those agreements will need to be much more explicit and objective if they are to be enforceable, and that where applicants voluntarily commit to match renderings, those commitments should be written in objective terms rather than \"substantial compliance.\" Staff said they will continue reviewing opportunities to add design standards if the commission wants regulatory tools to enforce design expectations.

Next steps and transparency: Staff plans to circulate the initiation text on Wednesday by 5 p.m., host outreach and open-house opportunities, and be available to neighborhood groups. Staff recommended the commission review the proposed draft and suggest edits ahead of initiation. Wade also said staff anticipates updating cross-referenced articles (notably Article 21 development plans and Articles 23 and 28) and may incorporate small changes requested by Environmental Services and Traffic Engineering.

Ending: Commissioners and staff acknowledged the transition will be substantial for applicants, the commission and staff. Wade repeated the statutory deadline: the city must be compliant by July 1, 2025, and urged commissioners to review the draft initiation text when it is circulated.","Lexington planning staff briefed the Planning Commission on January 23 about changes they will propose to the city's zoning and subdivision regulations to comply with House Bill 443, and the timetable to have the changes in effect by July 1, 2025.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671774,"Planning staff begins process to define future urban service boundary reviews; goal and timeline set in comprehensive plan",627,6723000,7350000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144188-be397840448e21647f56b750157fb752&start=6723&end=7350","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144188-be397840448e21647f56b750157fb752/thumbnail_6723000.jpg","/articles/6671774/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Planning-staff-begins-process-to-define-future-urban-service-boundary-reviews-goal-and-timeline-set-in-comprehensive-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671774-2f3c5a1f21d88a5be6d80019c932af7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188852&Signature=OymVGNHevqyoQGVrGfkpRS5bH75VfJ~QqIvcgaCNgyuVPV5nshZidvfjtQZLOzxQ3PSV4hBYHRxcxe2pWR-EJA--mHXYPc8PYhR7t5a1sv1wQ0Nr8YBsgpIHGMZgF7EyTBZgDss1qXw08DNjdkChxEkqVshjm1ZqXCeGnUxtv~yjdj3HQ4Qgt7qkoNBSk4MS0MhVPOI6xzmzgUboOPKTBjPs1D9ZMWbne89WuBDC1hB1MBoCBZCARJlmezX6KqUKAKdQjTCB7OdJwzG-5HTiaC6gwQMja01qiV81jxcpzPMK6HFvsld5O5sTWjKsyZyVnWjvgKLDOlAQgBbNzap6xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff described an effort to create a formal process for evaluating future urban service boundary expansions and preservation priorities, a program the comprehensive plan sets to complete by Aug. 1, 2026.

Hal Bailey and long-range planners told commissioners that the comprehensive plan’s Theme E Goal 4 requires the city to \"establish a mechanism to immediately implement the process\" and to incorporate Urban County Council input. Bailey reviewed the history of Lexington’s urban service boundary (first established in 1958 and amended periodically) and said past approaches—large, speculative greenfield expansions—have led to long delays between expansion and actual development in some areas.

The staff presentation described challenges that have repeated across decades: forecasting long-term land need, speculative rezoning, and ownership/timing issues that delay development after an expansion is approved. Staff said earlier expansions (for example changes since 1996) have not fully developed and that a more targeted, data-driven process is needed to reduce speculative areas and balance preservation of agricultural resources with urban growth.

Next steps: staff will work with Vice Mayor and the Urban County Council general government committee to refine scope, create a public-input framework and provide periodic committee and commission updates. Bailey said the effort will build on previous task forces (the Sustainable Growth Task Force and the Goal 4 work group) and tie into the newly launched Imagine Lexington Data Research Center so decisions are supported by up-to-date indicators.

Timing and public process: staff emphasized this is an early-stage program and proposed to report regularly to the commission and to the council’s General Government and Planning committee. The comprehensive plan calls for adoption of the amended plan elements by Aug. 1, 2026.

Ending: Commissioners questioned whether the city’s recent large expansion rendered the new process moot; staff responded that doing the work now—when the immediate pressure for expansion is lower—offers an opportunity to develop data-driven triggers and procedures that can guide future decisions and reduce speculation.","Staff outlined the Preservation and Growth Management Program that will define how Lexington evaluates and authorizes future urban service boundary expansions. The work will develop a data-driven process, public input framework and schedule, with a target to amend plan elements by Aug. 1, 2026.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671784,"City to issue RFP for Blue Sky small area plan; $500,000 allocated for study of 301-acre industrial area",350,4760000,5110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144188-be397840448e21647f56b750157fb752&start=4760&end=5110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144188-be397840448e21647f56b750157fb752/thumbnail_4760000.jpg","/articles/6671784/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/City-to-issue-RFP-for-Blue-Sky-small-area-plan-500000-allocated-for-study-of-301-acre-industrial-area","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671784-5bb94d0bc41130954a3179e9fc4d4e4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188852&Signature=DMDx2PbGxTRgxpjanoLDstA8tyvmFkaDnmERkvhSw7pLbXa3t3AOUOAbryyevfqT0iqRNMnAPPGoAuwHPlLQoOupQYU99TWMGEyrv13JGNaVS0YTTZu~sQXpKmvVnnY10yKMm8OQ0USkf3iJZoZddIb5AEwyTP6FFM9PbFhEctmLC2NhoovlGU35R2BrpFPUEy82D7KgMdhA8LPD6Y03yBIx5ep71BvYIKvQ1WzaCH6EyfNEmo9o0s9xhG9QqrO-fbSkFO1dYCSGXQ8A3Y7~sV52U3CGyVNLGAAfnW24u71OgGb5ka2RK026s8w-qli2RM6ie4n8C41CvBM~ku4fsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Division of Planning will release a request for proposals for a Blue Sky small area plan on Jan. 24, and staff told the Planning Commission the work is funded at $500,000 in the fiscal year 2025 budget.

Eve Miller of Long Range Planning said the study area covers about 301 acres near the I‑75 interchange off Athens-Boonsboro Road and is primarily zoned I‑1 for industrial uses, with pockets of B3, B5P and P1 zoning. \"The goal of the small area plan is to provide an analysis of existing conditions and to identify opportunities for the Blue Sky area to help Lexington meet its current and future industrial land use needs,\" Miller said.

The scope staff seeks from consultants includes an inventory of existing conditions, evaluation of sanitary sewer and stormwater infrastructure and public-safety access, land-use and redevelopment strategies for industrial growth, environmental protections and sustainable building practices, and ways to connect Blue Sky with adjacent new growth areas identified in the city's Urban Growth Master Plan.

Timing and budget: Miller said proposals will be due on Friday, Feb. 14. Staff will review proposals for two weeks and, contingent on contract approval and council acceptance, expects to issue a notice to proceed around April 24. The planning staff aims to complete the study within one year and will provide periodic updates to the Planning Commission.

Commissioners asked why a separate small area plan was needed rather than including Blue Sky in the urban growth master plan. Miller and a planning manager explained the UGMP work focused on greenfield expansion and that Blue Sky's intensive, existing industrial development required a deeper, longer study to address infrastructure and redevelopment constraints; the master-plan timeline did not permit that level of analysis. Miller said staff can provide more detailed vacancy and utilization numbers to commissioners upon request and confirmed the site is \"not greater than 50% vacant\" and is currently heavily used for light industrial purposes.

Ending: Commissioners and staff discussed the cost of the separate study; one commissioner noted the budget allocation and questioned whether excluding Blue Sky from the UGMP created the additional expense. Staff said the separate, funded study is intended to produce more focused recommendations for industrial land needs and infrastructure options than the UGMP could in its timeline.","Staff told commissioners the Blue Sky small area plan RFP will be released Jan. 24 and that the fiscal year 2025 budget includes $500,000 for the study. The plan will analyze infrastructure constraints, land-use options, and strategies to support industrial and economic development in the 301-acre area near I-75.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Division of Planning reviews Imagine Lexington 2045 work: 117 implementation tasks, new outreach section and public data hub launched

Lexington staff outlines ordinance rewrite to comply with House Bill 443, limits on commission discretion

Planning staff begins process to define future urban service boundary reviews; goal and timeline set in comprehensive plan

City to issue RFP for Blue Sky small area plan; $500,000 allocated for study of 301-acre industrial area