This presentation will mark the final scheduled update in a year-long process that began in January. If adopted, this would be Lexington's new framework for determining how and if to expand the Urban Service Area
Committee to review Urban Service Area amendment process
This presentation will mark the final scheduled update in a year-long process that began in January. If adopted, this would be Lexington's new framework for determining how and if to expand the Urban Service Area
On Tuesday, December 2nd, the General Government & Planning (GGP) Committee will receive an update on the Division of Planning's ongoing work on the Lexington Preservation & Growth Management Plan (LPGMP) – Lexington's proposed new framework for determining how and if to expand the Urban Service Area (USA).
This presentation is the final scheduled update in a year-long process that began in January and has included public forums, an online survey, draft program presentations, and multiple committee discussions. You can read more of our previous coverage here and here.
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Reminder: What is the LPGMP? Historically, changes to the USA have been tied to the Comprehensive Plan, but the city has never had a clear, standardized process guiding those decisions. The LPGMP aims to change that by creating a data-informed, multi-step framework using 20-year projections for population, housing, and jobs while tracking how much land inside the USA is already developed.
In Tuesday’s presentation, Hal Baillie from the Division of Planning will walk Council through changes made since the September update in response to public input.
Image Credit: LFUCG
Below are the big changes, according to each step in the process.
Step One: 5-Year Growth Report to Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will receive a Growth Trend Report estimating Lexington’s residential growth needs for the next 20 years, and will recommend strategies to meet those needs.
Updates here include:
A clearer list of what data must be included in the 5-Year Growth Trends Report.
More specificity around the types of policy tools that could be recommended, such as funding mechanisms, zoning reforms, and neighborhood stabilization strategies.
New guiding principles emphasizing "efficient growth patterns and fiscally responsible policies."
Step Two: Urban County Council Review
Council reviews the Planning Commission’s recommendation and may accept, reject, or amend it.
No changes are proposed in this section.
Step Three: Vacant Land Review
A subcommittee reviews vacant land within the USA to determine whether any parcels should be removed.
Changes include:
A faster timeline for forming the subcommittee.
Clarifying language that parcels inside the Urban Service Area may be considered for removal – an important distinction that adds flexibility to the process.
Step Four: Expansion Proposals
Eligible property owners may submit proposals to add land to the USA.
Updates include:
New review criteria such as environmental sensitivity, historic designations, proximity to PDR properties, and scenic byways.
Two new required public input meetings: one during subcommittee review and one during Planning Commission review.
Step Five: Master Planning
Once expansion areas are set, Council allocates funds for Master Plans for the newly added areas.
The only update here:
The Planning Commission may now initiate zone changes as part of this step.
Special Economic Development Need proposals
Property owners may petition to add land to the USA at any time for economic development projects only (not residential uses).
New in this section:
Applicants are no longer required to identify specific clients when submitting a proposal.
What's next?
This update does not require a vote, but it sets the stage for how Lexington will evaluate land supply and guide growth policy in the coming years. We’ll have a full breakdown in next week’s CivicLex Weekly.
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Watch the meeting: The General Government and Planning Committee will meet on December 2nd at 1:00pm in Council Chambers. You can attend in-person or watch live on LexTV.
While this ruling blocks the proposed eight-story, 322-unit apartment complex, the developer could still demolish the existing buildings and construct a new four-story, 75-foot structure under the site’s current R-4 zoning without any additional public input.
