[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6491180,"mediaKeyId","5618144-1837852c3404dbae762208c5801edc30","parentId",5618144,"title","Planning staff present Imagine Lexington 'ARC' updates; vacant‑land methodology pending publication","audioSeconds",460,"startMs",1713180,"endMs",2173680,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5618144-1837852c3404dbae762208c5801edc30&start=1713&end=2173","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5618144-1837852c3404dbae762208c5801edc30/thumbnail_1713180.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6491180/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Planning-staff-present-Imagine-Lexington-ARC-updates-vacantland-methodology-pending-publication","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491180-fc0a038e2a10ef7dd931c857539779f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438334&Signature=Z517nxny1pB7YLqfZ~NxmP3~xcecyskgaYPTRQW4mnlSTyjHdmICHUr8rPxrXI3YhMyiVV~qP8ftK17d3AoItojD9BxcQQNeABdkePBozPCnGzyqrEwjuuzxVhbV5J-6uZ5tbLy3QalVKHiJPieTVnTnVeFK1h82BdcqqZTcEtV9YuOWJdmIgPKT14RYEhY6Cw6sd0qsx49azRwVvJxVRa-IN~-JZiP6mutvRlNY2YIIiWHU5A1L9~FKvJNMXoLZE32iJSE8PjcR5-XO03cNth5pCu4-ST4lJ8BEJGZ0ZbW36i2W~jZMHFu3UVUDL3nTEQdUhcXi8zHYb3iQnwjsGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lexington","date","2025-08-21T00:00:00Z","article","Lexington planning staff on Aug. 21 presented updates to the Imagine Lexington analytic research center (branded ARC) and described new public tools, including a vacant‑land map that can be filtered by zoning.

Espy Stroff, digital content administrator for Imagine Lexington/Office of Growth Management, said the county renamed the resource from “data research center” to “analytic research center” to avoid confusion with the Data Hub and to emphasize the ARC’s planning focus. Stroff said the ARC’s vacant‑land map now allows users to filter parcels by zoning and that the site will be updated when the 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) releases are available.

Why it matters: The ARC is intended as a public‑facing, planning‑context tool — different from the Data Hub, which provides raw GIS datasets — and staff said transparency about definitions (for example what counts as “vacant” or “available”) is a priority.

Methodology and transparency: Commissioners asked whether the ARC defines “vacant” and whether it or the comprehensive‑plan process will publish the methodology. Planning staff replied that the county uses a defined methodology and that staff will publish the metadata and methodology on the site; they said discussion continues about whether the methodology will also be codified in ordinance or guidance tied to the comprehensive plan. One staff speaker summarized: “The vacant land number is a hotly debated — how much is available? How much is actually vacant? Vacant is very well defined, but what's available is not.”

Data governance and related maps: Commissioners asked about brownfields and whether environmental services maintains a map of contaminated or otherwise constrained parcels; staff said they would check with environmental services and aim to add relevant layers or links while being judicious about updating frequency and data quality. Staff also emphasized the ARC is meant to be more explanatory and contextual than the Data Hub’s raw dataset downloads.

Next steps: Stroff said the team will continue to add datasets, publish the ACS updates when available, and keep commissioners informed when new data sources and tools are added to the ARC. No formal action or vote occurred during the presentation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lexington - Planning Commission Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Lexington planning staff presented changes to the Imagine Lexington analytic research center on Aug. 21, including a filterable vacant‑land map and a pending publication of the ARC’s vacant‑land methodology.","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},6491186,"Planning commission briefed on downtown master plan update, public engagement plans",1559,67845,1627670,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5618144-1837852c3404dbae762208c5801edc30&start=67&end=1627","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5618144-1837852c3404dbae762208c5801edc30/thumbnail_67845.jpg","/articles/6491186/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Planning-commission-briefed-on-downtown-master-plan-update-public-engagement-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491186-a19d0a79ee4107debee86ca3fbabe613/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438334&Signature=PkIT8H4TL~49oF~RQgYnyJ8c5ulNnTiB4-IW8v7UG1drbqN-vSqJRc8SDv2015aAfa~pIIfinrGbeFDGZfIlgT1E49~Svw4zpalgrlGOmh-y17TIKOFa1OxsFSL3d4wmSPWrmdS7cEKOIwn8PDlm1lg4l~fKWjfHwIxmE-4VeyfGd~fRMvaMu7uQOgojkLhNhbvIKd3jB8cQsvXEKMRy4FrHvTrwiZ81eLlypw4Q8yLc8kliGiSdWiToETQnXz8npLM1pQ2OvxyGamvKfy2B9kPpJRxuXrDvsudzCRlwIBe2ZjxNhBH9mJ7PsLyUwvnl5Pe6d2EhSKXfMgu2tm9hPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Planning Commission on Aug. 21 heard an introduction to a one‑year update of the downtown master plan and an overview of early public engagement from consultant MKSK.

MKSK principal Andy Knight told the commission the firm began work under a May 16 contract and has been conducting stakeholder interviews, market and housing analysis, and a tree canopy inventory. Knight said MKSK will lead three rounds of public engagement — a listening session, an ideas‑testing workshop and a final public celebration — and is planning its first full public workshop for early October at the Lyric Theater.

Why it matters: The update is intended to be both community driven and data driven and to produce implementable actions, zoning recommendations and funding options that staff and decision‑makers can use when considering downtown land‑use changes.

Knight described the project team and coordination: MKSK is the prime firm supported by Development Strategies (market/development analysis), WSP (transportation/mobility), EHI (neighborhood engagement), CivicLex (digital/creative engagement) and Urban Canopy (urban forestry inventory). He said the project team has already held multiple advisory‑group and stakeholder sessions and ran a July 4 pop‑up at the Fifth Third Pavilion that yielded “about 500 responses” to an on‑site QR survey and roughly “350 people participate” at the booth; another participation figure of 315 was shown on a project slide summarizing bead‑based exercises on priorities.

Scope and schedule: Knight said the plan will include a housing market and conditions analysis, recommendations for zoning text (the plan will recommend language rather than draft final code), mobility and connectivity recommendations, a tree canopy inventory, and an implementation‑oriented financial strategy. Knight said the housing/market analysis is underway and several stakeholder roundtables have been completed. The team will release more analysis and engagement materials on a project website and interactive online tools.

Boundary and zoning questions: Commissioners pressed MKSK and staff on the plan’s downtown boundary. Planning staff explained that a clear, community‑adopted downtown boundary is intended to help guide future zoning decisions and zone‑change recommendations, and that adopting the plan as an element of the comprehensive plan would give those recommendations a policy foundation. Commissioners and some residents urged a boundary approach that distinguishes the Central Business District from adjacent historic, residential neighborhoods and preserves greenery and urban canopy in those surrounding areas. One commissioner noted past downtown zoning flexibility (for example zero‑lot‑line development) can reduce tree canopy and open‑space expectations in adjacent neighborhoods.

Public comment and concerns: Resident Amy Clark (628 Castle Road) thanked the commission and urged clearer online information. Clark said the project website (downtownlexplan.com) lacked specific dates for tasks and did not list advisory committee membership. She asked to be invited to neighborhood meetings and urged the plan to “conserve affordable housing and homeownership” and to consider the effect of University of Kentucky student housing on downtown rental rates. Trish Smith of the Belcourt neighborhood said she supported the commission engagement on distinguishing the Central Business District from historic neighborhoods. Robin Mickler and another planning commissioner confirmed that two planning‑commission members served on the advisory committee and that the overall advisory body included roughly 20 people, including UK representatives.

Next steps: MKSK and staff said they will continue stakeholder interviews, post analysis to the project website, and run the October public meeting (team indicated Oct. 8 at the Lyric Theater during the presentation). The team emphasized the plan will aim to be actionable, with funding and implementation pathways to follow as recommendations crystallize.

Ending: The commission offered early suggestions and asked staff and MKSK to return with additional materials; no formal actions or votes were taken on the plan at the work session.","The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Planning Commission on Aug. 21 heard an introduction to a one‑year update of the downtown master plan and the consultant’s early public‑engagement results.",{"_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},6491175,"Planning commission makes affordable housing an ongoing priority and seeks developer input",1531,2175440,3707115,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5618144-1837852c3404dbae762208c5801edc30&start=2175&end=3707","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5618144-1837852c3404dbae762208c5801edc30/thumbnail_2175440.jpg","/articles/6491175/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Planning-commission-makes-affordable-housing-an-ongoing-priority-and-seeks-developer-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491175-4298aff98253e467c1c235a78b039dc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438334&Signature=Om51hti9ZEaPEQEiMO73KdPQeroFVatkI9YqIayDeV7goMoKBU6s7enTTJLnKVz5Er7HINCoJ6IZKI9vPqNalRV4gApi1~caD2ePrS0oNnBVItHCTgr3~P~U5SLs8rQcEkC~UIDwYMbFJmizVhdaT50FjefX6tABpt6-iylp9NAysNJb5H31BEyvOc6iICI8NeG4i~EkdK0EfDxzPq5WHQTLb6nBKwhNMyWekoiEv62QEuQmWCERdYH~pNRlHztp1bPQUQrhGeFst~b2qiUWOX1UnUtXnZe2fNpoyRhLdi5zg8kBO1fNwEJrjo3684zQroZgiNwUa4RGoM4Z6n0Psw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Planning Commission on Aug. 21 established affordable housing as a continuing priority and tasked staff with organizing a sustained inquiry into barriers and incentives for affordable housing production.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the city faces a persistent affordable‑housing gap and that single meetings have not led to large‑scale progress. They asked staff to convene developers, affordable‑housing providers, financiers and other stakeholders to identify actionable incentives and funding strategies that could increase supply.

What the commission asked for: Commissioners proposed several concrete next steps. They asked staff to arrange presentations or roundtables with market‑rate builders and developers who have not historically produced deeply affordable units, alongside current affordable‑housing builders, so commissioners could hear what financial, regulatory or procedural changes would enable more affordable development. Commissioner Frank Wilson urged that the commission learn how developers access the council’s affordable‑housing fund and asked staff to outline the application and loan‑guideline process. A staff speaker summarized the program manager and application route: applications for council‑set affordable funds are administered through the Affordable Housing Governing Board and the Office of Affordable Housing (the manager named in discussion was Rick McQuady, referenced by staff).

Funding and incentives discussion: Commissioners discussed the structure of public funding and leverage. One commissioner noted council‑set allocations (cited in the discussion as “1% of the budget” and an illustrative figure of $5,000,000) and urged considering bonding or other tools to leverage those funds for larger development finance. Commissioners described gap financing as the typical use of public dollars in leveraged rental transactions and debated how to increase homeownership‑focused uses of public funds.

Process and next steps: The commission expressed a strong preference to schedule recurring affordable‑housing time in work sessions (one commissioner asked that one hour be committed to the topic at upcoming work sessions) and to gather practical testimony from developers and finance experts. Commissioners discussed forming a subcommittee or task force to coordinate interviews and invited staff to propose an agenda. Staff said they were preparing an affordable‑housing agenda for a Sept. 18 work session; commissioners agreed to pursue a series of follow‑ups rather than a one‑time discussion.

Dissent and scope: Commissioners acknowledged that building alone may not fully resolve affordability pressures, noting rapid market price dynamics and the role of other policy tools. Several commissioners emphasized a “holistic approach” including subsidies, gap finance and potential land‑use incentives.

Ending: The chair said he would work with the planning director to schedule the follow‑up items requested by the commission; no formal vote was taken at the Aug. 21 work session.","Commissioners agreed Aug. 21 to prioritize affordable housing as a sustained work program, ask staff to convene market‑rate and affordable‑housing developers and community partners, and plan recurring work‑session time to identify incentives, financing and barriers to increased affordable production.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning staff present Imagine Lexington 'ARC' updates; vacant‑land methodology pending publication

Planning commission briefed on downtown master plan update, public engagement plans

Planning commission makes affordable housing an ongoing priority and seeks developer input