Concerns over safety and neighborhood integrity dominated the Lexington Board of Adjustment meeting on May 12, 2025, as residents voiced their opposition to proposed short-term rental permits in their communities.

At the heart of the discussions was a conditional use permit request for a short-term rental at 533 Southridge Drive. Local resident Fran Hardaway expressed her fears about safety, citing past issues with the property being used as a rental and the influx of unfamiliar guests. “I feel very unsafe with all these people that are gonna be coming in,” she stated, highlighting the quiet, retiree-heavy nature of her neighborhood.

Sharon Gill, another resident, echoed these sentiments, recalling a violent incident in a nearby neighborhood linked to short-term rentals. “If it can happen on Windermere, it can happen on Southridge,” she warned, emphasizing the potential risks associated with transient guests.

In response, the property owner assured the board that they would manage the rental responsibly, promising to maintain the property and provide contact information to neighbors for any concerns. However, the board ultimately approved the permit, citing the need to adhere to existing regulations.

Another contentious application was for a short-term rental at 1770 Yorktown Road, where neighbor Samuel Perry raised concerns about parking and noise, arguing that the rental would disrupt the stable, owner-occupied character of the neighborhood. He presented a petition with 22 signatures opposing the permit, emphasizing the risk of transforming the area into a transient hub.

Despite the objections, the board approved this application as well, with members noting that many concerns fell outside their purview and were more suited for city council discussions on broader policy issues regarding short-term rentals.

The meeting underscored the ongoing tension between the desire for tourism and the preservation of community safety and character, as residents grapple with the implications of short-term rentals in their neighborhoods.