Potential changes to the Administrative Hearing board

In Tuesday, August 26th's Social Services and Public Safety (SSPS) Committee, 2nd District Councilmember Shayla Lynch will present a few recommendations to improve LFUCG's Administrative Hearing Board.

In 2023, Lynch and former 6th District Councilmember Denise Gray began studying LFUCG's Division of Code Enforcement. Code Enforcement monitors properties in Lexington to make sure they are in compliance with ordinances relating to yard mowing, building quality and safety, and more.

• The Racial Justice and Equity Commission recommended a review of Code Enforcement in their 2020 Report.

While some issues are still being researched – such as how yards with native plants and flowers are regulated by Code Enforcement, and how Code Enforcement interacts with historically low-income and marginalized neighborhoods – Lynch is proposing some changes to the Administrative Hearing Board.

The proposed changes include:

• A targeted recruitment campaign to bring more members onto the Board, especially members with a wide array of personal and professional experience;
• Training members on Code Enforcement policies, operations, and conflict mediation annually;
• Developing an online case management system that allows residents to file appeals of Code Enforcement citations, submit evidence, and track the status of their appeals as they move through the appeal process.