[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6506824,"mediaKeyId","5546455-6b9e2921cae714ae839d859c6b9330d5","parentId",5546455,"title","Committee postpones proposal to allow distilleries as a principal use in downtown B2 zone","audioSeconds",523,"startMs",1436000,"endMs",1959000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5546455-6b9e2921cae714ae839d859c6b9330d5&start=1436&end=1959","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5546455-6b9e2921cae714ae839d859c6b9330d5/thumbnail_1436000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6506824/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Committee-postpones-proposal-to-allow-distilleries-as-a-principal-use-in-downtown-B2-zone","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506824-6324b8db34bb35f6030675c72ec19c19/orig.mp4?Expires=1770676857&Signature=TDy2eYLzdKNQJgQMuE9be-F0gEBG6z5YUxLrVoYRG~qZYR1-QAcUiTW-x1duFmE-9NWQ4D0vtQdHA3-4WRy-n6BzgALbARHmMRRaMCczNz8LRSHJtLjjoda~9UfTgSe97CJ03eKvgMxPgmLfEfyxsTYtQ5PBNQd6c4UFGt3tcFRT4dKpoqFpnNGt51ePyflbnV22ReElDVISzf-ECs4DZtDVu1AxhQ9-OuePuMJaouA7VGWFijN0Z9xtNpCrV1e0orYYvG5uK~Y8Sgxx~abVKPtImzc8MQ9SbT9DaPb5DHggNIoh4PCvgSoqvhuQcPqoYtHzid-b0YHrmfFscokAZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lexington","date","2025-08-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Lexington Zoning and Subcommittee postponed consideration of TLN ZOTA 25-6, a proposed text amendment to add distilleries as a principal permitted use in the Downtown B2 zoning district.

Staff described the draft text as modeled on existing B1 conditional-use standards but proposed as a permitted use in B2 with specific limits, including a 10,000-gallon annual production cap, mandatory indoor distilling and a retail/tasting-room component. Staff noted that Kentucky law (KRS) defines categories of distilleries, and that other zones currently allow distilling at different caps: light and heavy industrial zones permit craft distilleries under KRS (up to 50,000 gallons, as defined), agricultural zones have a 1,000-gallon allowance as a conditional use, and several commercial zones treat distilleries as conditional uses.

Planning staff recommended postponement to allow additional research and stakeholder conversations to determine which restrictions are appropriate for the B2 downtown environment and to avoid allowing industrial-scale operations in central downtown. ‘‘We’re trying to determine where to sort of draw that line and find an appropriate balance that allows the distiller to operate without creating a nuisance or a hazard to other users in the B2 zone,’’ the staff member said.

Scott Shooting, speaking for the applicant New Era, said the company’s preferred approach was a countywide ZOTA rather than a downzoning to B1, and that size limits by square footage (for example 5,000 or 10,000 square feet) could be self-limiting in downtown. A public commenter who identified as Nick Nicholson said an adaptive reuse distillery project in Louisville transformed vacant historic buildings into a tourism anchor, drawing restaurants and retail and generating downtown economic activity.

After brief discussion the subcommittee member moved to postpone TLN ZOTA 25-6; the motion was seconded and the committee voted in favor. The item was recorded as postponed so staff can refine recommended restrictions and report back to the committee.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lexington - Planning Commission Zoning Items Subcommittee","oneSentenceSummary","A proposed zoning text amendment to allow distilleries by right in the Downtown B2 zone was postponed so staff can study appropriate limits and stakeholder concerns; the proposal would mirror some B1 limits but make distilleries a permitted principal use with a 10,000-gallon annual cap in the draft text.","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},6506827,"Zoning panel postpones request to lift building cap on War Admiral Place development",1110,306000,1416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5546455-6b9e2921cae714ae839d859c6b9330d5&start=306&end=1416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5546455-6b9e2921cae714ae839d859c6b9330d5/thumbnail_306000.jpg","/articles/6506827/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Zoning-panel-postpones-request-to-lift-building-cap-on-War-Admiral-Place-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506827-e40b001ceb3e4804142c2c3e78780a71/orig.mp4?Expires=1770676857&Signature=ER3IDQ23ARUMPL6WHmPHGjBdUVewvWzn3QtebA-BTNUhBl7288P~45yi2YDPXYFOlBoFo6lPbxi6k0ANPCGMd9Ep9-4rfpiNroGYWyE8uWB1G8AMAyRa1JU4KxBPK6Z5RiXi9~BOeMp6E-TTr5S4IEgvTzb98GHvUDsiB4z6~m8O64Er~-8rfmoPwNka2dUnW92xXG38z6QeZe8cKpa429K3O68S9XdGvmseOWNGlpz7~rE37zKzHifjbTQbB-sBE8R7pQz6f4ziDiKyhUZKjbye607hEPO~HrV6vjcuuRyeVMHxFUyB1whoy9EqC5ZV5trBqQZA9cqXvyTf7J-42Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lexington Zoning and Subcommittee on Aug. 7 postponed consideration of PLN MAR 25-10, a request by War Admiral Place LLC to remove a conditional zoning restriction that limits total gross building area on the Hamburg Place/War Admiral site.

City planning staff said the property has reached the current cap and that removing the restriction would be required for any additional construction. ‘‘They are currently at that limit now,’’ the staff member said, describing the restriction as a numerical cap established by a binding restriction recorded after a 2004 application and finalized in early 2005.

The applicant’s representative, Nick Nicholson, said the restriction prevents marketing or development of two currently vacant outparcels—Out Lot 5 and Out Lot 6—and presented a conceptual development plan showing three-story retail/office buildings on those lots. Nicholson argued the character of the B6P zone and community expectations have changed since the restriction was imposed, and he cited a floor-area-ratio comparison: the site’s existing floor-area ratio is about 0.22, while the minimum FAR in the current B6P rules is 0.5. ‘‘This development flies in the face of our current B6P rules,’’ Nicholson said, adding that the proposed plan would bring the site closer to the type of multistory, mixed uses the city now encourages.

Staff outlined the legal threshold to modify a binding restriction: the applicant must show a ‘‘major change of economic, physical, or social nature’’ in the area that was not anticipated when the restriction was imposed and that has ‘‘substantially altered the basic character’’ of the area. City staff recommended postponement to allow time to collect more substantial evidence that such unanticipated changes have occurred and to work with the applicant on documentation.

The conceptual development plan was filed as MJD P 25-28 (Hamburg Place, B5P and B6P highway commercial area) and showed the two vacant outparcels adjacent to the Walmart/Lowe’s parking area. Staff explained the broader site context: I-75 to the north, Winchester Road, Sir Barton Way, nearby commercial anchors (Walmart, Lowe’s, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Hobby Lobby), an economic development zone and a hospital to the north, and an AU buffer zone with floodplain, a walking trail and a horse cemetery in the center of the complex.

Commission members asked whether the request applied only to the two vacant outlots or to the entire 71.45 gross-acre tract; the applicant’s representative said the request would cover the entire parcel so that redevelopment options—such as adding structures within existing parking areas—would be possible if the limitation were removed. The applicant also said there are currently no signed tenants poised to build because the cap prevents new entitlement of square footage.

After discussion the subcommittee member moved to postpone consideration; the motion was seconded and the committee voted in favor. The item was recorded as postponed.

The subcommittee did not adopt any change to the binding restriction on Aug. 7; staff and the applicant will continue to coordinate supplemental documentation before the item returns to committee.","Lexington zoning subcommittee postponed consideration of a request by War Admiral Place LLC to remove a binding restriction that caps total building area on the Hamburg Place site; staff recommended delay to get more evidence that conditions have changed since the restriction was imposed.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee postpones proposal to allow distilleries as a principal use in downtown B2 zone

Zoning panel postpones request to lift building cap on War Admiral Place development