Lexington's Planning Commission recommended against proposed rule changes that would allow large-scale solar projects in agricultural zones. Council will have the final say.
Four individual properties account for as much as $52,400 in unpaid fines.
This week, Councilmembers will get an update on what local enforcement efforts look like.
By an 8-7 vote, Council narrowly approved a public-private partnership to build a new city hall on West Vine Street.
In a Tuesday, December 2nd meeting, Council narrowly advanced a public-private partnership (P3) proposal to build a new city hall on Vine Street.
The 8-7 Council vote in favor of the proposal was contentious. Opponents questioned whether Lexington should commit $152.5 million over the next 35 years given uncertainty at the federal level and other pressing needs at home. Supporters argued that a new city hall has been delayed for decades and that waiting longer would only make the project more expensive.
Councilmembers supporting the proposal were: James Brown (At Large), Chuck Ellinger (At Large), Hannah LeGris (D3), Lisa Higgins-Hord (D6), Joseph Hale (D7), Whitney Elliott Baxter (D9), Jennifer Reynolds (D11), and Hil Boone (D12)
Councilmembers opposing the proposal were: Dan Wu (Vice Mayor), Tyler Morton (D1), Shayla Lynch (D2), Emma Curtis (D4), Liz Sheehan (D5), Amy Beasley (D8), and Dave Sevigny (D10)
Now that the ordinance has been advanced, the deal may have to go before the state's Local Government P3 Board for final approval. You can learn more about P3s here or here. If approved, the administration and the Lexington Opportunity Fund would move into the final negotiation and contracting phase.
Once all remaining approvals are secured, the project would move into detailed design, financing, and pre-construction work, including planning for how and when existing city offices will transition into the new facility. According to the city, construction could begin in 2026 with an anticipated opening in 2028.
You can learn more about the project through our coverage below
Richard Young
Richard Young
Councilmembers will get an update this week on plans for a new downtown Government Center on Vine Street, including the public-private partnership it relies on.
The newly approved budget ups spending for the city's winter storm response, and directs nearly $300 million for Public Safety, including fire, police and other divisions.
An existing LFUCG policy broadly outlines acceptable and prohibited uses for artificial intelligence for local government business. Here's what's in it.
Lexington's Urban County Council approved several spending requests for the next city budget, including $135,098 for additional building security in city hall.