The randomly-selected group of Lexington residents deliberated on council pay and charter review. Its recommendations could wind up on the ballot for local voters.
In its February 12th meeting, Council unanimously approved the Lexington Preservation and Growth Management Program, establishing a formal process for deciding whether and when to expand the Urban Service Area.
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What is the Urban Service Area? The Urban Service Area is the part of Fayette County that can be developed and receive city services like water and sewer. The boundary restricts development to the center of Fayette County, preserving rural land for agriculture, horse farms, and green space.
The new process is built to make expansion decisions more transparent and data-driven. Over the past several decades, USA expansion decisions were made during the five-year Comprehensive Plan update process, which has often become contentious and political on Council. The last USA expansion occurred in 2023, the first change to the boundary since 1998.
How will the new process work?
The process will include five major steps:
Step One: Growth Trend Report
Every five years, Planning staff will prepare a report calculating projected land needs in Fayette County for the next 20 years.
The formula will use projected population growth from the Kentucky State Data Center, average household size, and dwelling unit density per acre
The Planning Commission will review the report and recommend strategies to meet growth needs
Step Two: Council Review
Once Planning Commission has reviewed the recommended strategies to meet growth needs, Council will review the recommendation.
Council can either accept, reject, or amend the recommendation
Council must consider policy changes within the existing USA before considering expansion
Step Three: Vacant Land Review
Once Council has reviewed the recommendation, a nine-member subcommittee (three members each appointed by Planning Commission, Council, and Mayor) will review vacant land within the current USA
Vacant land is defined as property inside the USA that is zoned agricultural, has no urbanized land use, and doesn't have a certificate of occupancy
Exclusions include churches, schools, floodplains, common areas in subdivisions, and some government-owned land
The subcommittee will recommend whether any parcels should be removed from the USA
Step Four: Expansion Proposals
Following Vacant Land Review, if expansion is needed, the Planning Commission will open a 60-day window for property owners to submit proposals
Eligible land must be adjacent to the USA and able to connect to stormwater and sewer infrastructure
The subcommittee will evaluate proposals and make recommendations to the Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will vote on what areas to add to the Urban Service Area
Step Five: Master Planning
Once expansion areas are determined, Council will allocate funds for Master Plans for the newly added areas
After the Master Plan is complete, the Planning Commission will vote to approve it as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan
Special Economic Development Need
The ordinance allows property owners to submit proposals at any time for economic development projects, but not residential developments. Requirements include:
Proposals must be under 250 acres
Must include a development plan, data showing a unique employment benefit, and proof of infrastructure access
A minimum of 10 council members must vote to initiate a zone change for any proposal
If approved and constructed, the solar installation could produce enough electricity to power about 5,300 homes. Council has expressed concern about the bid in past meetings.
