[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6628599,"mediaKeyId","2716043-4106bbae3686df33699bf7d5767dfde2","parentId",2716043,"title","House Bill 443 forces rewrite of Lexington development review; staff racing to adopt objective standards ahead of July 1 deadline","audioSeconds",601,"startMs",5099000,"endMs",5700000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2716043-4106bbae3686df33699bf7d5767dfde2&start=5099&end=5700","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2716043-4106bbae3686df33699bf7d5767dfde2/thumbnail_5099000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6628599/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/House-Bill-443-forces-rewrite-of-Lexington-development-review-staff-racing-to-adopt-objective-standards-ahead-of-July-1-deadline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628599-729abc0a22c089e20cd0653390119480/orig.mp4?Expires=1772409711&Signature=JaTu17o-9zgd823uhFfkGIl8RcfrhgE~sZ~dYm~RVSR2xzCMC~ErLgKCRPlrPXjKymfMVAVJbPx7N4OmZJ1qH7tMo8qxY2oBNAxz4gZklc5-epSwPhcwl9vbikje69esKesrGDO6fJBrFlHE2Wk4qxB8tLUtiicX07r3CUhxTqPRbJVIu0~EP09PyL8JKEhjpUenoxOjT2a4RGUbloWETQJ0VtaEURCPh4wYXLV4mIH5hG--s1EVrMVA9bVlqiUf76894O~2Xb6vhSsQvyY9uRHMEt~kk~rNwmUioxVeVLwzqUxPhnp8sIm28vKod57eyPIw9wlemnKVq0QI0eELGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lexington","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","Planning staff and the city attorney told the Planning Commission on March 17 that House Bill 443 requires jurisdictions to apply objective standards ministerially for many development‑plan reviews, prompting a citywide zoning text amendment to avoid gaps when the law takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Daniel Crum, a planning staff member, described the legislative change as a requirement to translate informal practices and division-level sign‑offs into written objective standards so development plans that meet those standards can be approved without discretionary review. \"House Bill 443 relates to how we review our plats and development plans and requires those to be objectively measured and applied ministerially,\" Crum said.

Crum told commissioners staff is updating the zoning ordinance in three main categories: process changes to reflect a larger role for the Technical Review Committee (TRC); conversion of subjective or administrative sign‑offs into objective, codified standards; and adoption of certain technical standards the city has applied in practice (for example, access management and pedestrian circulation rules) so they remain enforceable under the new statute. He said staff will remove provisions that fall outside the immediate scope of the statute and will track some topics on a separate timeline.

Tracy Jones, the city attorney, told the panel that the statute is specific: objective standards applied ministerially leave little room for discretionary public hearings on routine development plans. She said the city must comply with the statute because local zoning authority is granted by state law.

Commissioners raised concerns about reduced opportunities for public input on development plans and asked for training. Several members requested staff provide orientation and case examples before the law takes effect so the commission can identify what is within its authority to influence. Crum and Jones said staff will provide briefings and case examples; staff offered to meet with commissioners in small groups.

Crum reported staff aims to circulate a revised draft the week of March 24 (he said a draft was expected to be available Monday or Tuesday following the March 17 meeting) and to present the text at the Planning Commission meeting on March 27, followed by Urban County Council consideration. He said the city needs to have adopted objective standards in place before July 1 to avoid a regulatory gap.

Crum: \"Most of what the updated draft is gonna be ... is going to be taking away, not adding. So you have the bulk of what's going to be presented at the public hearing on Thursday already.\" Jones added that while the change will be difficult for the public and commission accustomed to discretionary review, staff is attempting to codify longstanding technical practices into objective rules.

Commissioners asked for training and for staff to clarify the waiver process (the statute allows waivers in certain circumstances). Staff said they will prepare a primer and schedule orientation sessions and will provide the revised draft to commissioners as soon as it is ready.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lexington - Planning Commission Work Session - Mar 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Planning staff and the city attorney told the Planning Commission on March 17 that House Bill 443 requires jurisdictions to apply objective standards ministerially for many development‑plan reviews, prompting a citywide zoning text amendment to avoid gaps when the law takes effect on July 1, 2025.","taxTitle","Lexington City, Fayette County, Kentucky","taxId",5707,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6628604,"Lexington planning staff outline Complete Streets action plan, staff hires and pilot projects",780,120000,900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2716043-4106bbae3686df33699bf7d5767dfde2&start=120&end=900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2716043-4106bbae3686df33699bf7d5767dfde2/thumbnail_120000.jpg","/articles/6628604/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Lexington-planning-staff-outline-Complete-Streets-action-plan-staff-hires-and-pilot-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628604-2f67bd3ca4821989fcce2c538a5deb44/orig.mp4?Expires=1772409711&Signature=VTqRYzUusIHwcdlSx5uJa~3Rfg6jWc1RAHFPAQhKIK7xvE0nIBJmqaGsfSqHUJN~fq9QsrT1-ewBVtSZ4r-VEiQTs8LLnYTD7ugK7mZd8n2UufMG~yCtz-1W3YgzxUXFJqP1jI9G9PesX7hxISAEbwl~5TUOHZZ-kmzhFdVyQNHSzz8pqAc3UEXo-IBqjgTLjnYAK7qQlxMonDfPB8LsyTZl9KV8sMahp1B-lLM07EjuOhQ~iUAj9sPLGEVVkfpFR6V8LK9c5O5gytAUSdlorDV1B1bLtIOHIDMiY8PEt2gHqm2cqiPwnGV0hhwHN8AxKvoDSngTBnnr2J1skovJfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brandy Peacher, director of project management for Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, told the Planning Commission on March 17 that the Complete Streets program will guide how the city designs and retrofits roadways to serve pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders and drivers of all ages and abilities.

Peacher said the Complete Streets action plan is a work program for LFUCG and partners rather than a final project list. \"The action plan is available online. That action plan is a starting point. It's not the end. It is a living, breathing document that will continue to be updated as work progresses,\" Peacher said.

The plan as described at the meeting contains 39 individual tasks organized into four categories — planning and prioritization, design and construction, operations and maintenance, and safety — and identifies seven lead coordinating entities and about 19 partner agencies or divisions. Peacher said the plan called for two new staff positions: a program manager — the role she said she was placed in in late 2024 — and a Vision Zero coordinator who staff said is expected to start next week. The planning staff also expects to produce a Complete Streets design manual for use by city staff, developers and others.

Peacher and Kenzie Gleason, transportation planning staff, said the effort will be cross‑departmental and coordinate with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and the Lexington Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Gleason said the MPO and KYTC both have Complete Streets policies and that the MPO reviews projects for compliance: when a project reaches design, the MPO determines whether it complies and can recommend that future phases not be funded or programmed if it does not.

Chris Avilia, director of the MPO, added that projects that combine roadway work with bike and pedestrian components appear more likely to be supported under current federal programs than projects limited to only bike and pedestrian facilities. Peacher said staff will pursue federal discretionary funds where feasible and will continue baseline performance measurement and safety work; she described pilot projects, staff and partner trainings, and public engagement events as next steps.

Peacher framed the program as tied to Vision Zero, the city’s effort to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on roadways. She said the Complete Streets manual will be context sensitive rather than one design for every street and that staff will host trainings and public‑facing demonstrations to explain tradeoffs and design choices.

Staff emphasized the role of the policy in coordinating with state projects, but said the city cannot force state projects to adopt local standards. Peacher said the Complete Streets policy gives the city a documented community preference to use in coordination and negotiations with KYTC.

Peacher: \"Complete Streets is that approach. It is a philosophy about making our streets safe and comfortable for everyone.\" Gleason and Avilia provided additional detail about MPO review and federal funding coordination during the discussion.

City staff said the design manual, performance measures and Vision Zero policy drafts are underway and that initial pilot and outreach actions are scheduled for the coming fiscal year. Staff indicated further zoning and policy amendments will come before the commission as the program advances.","City planning staff presented a Complete Streets action plan that calls for 39 tasks across four categories, two new staff positions and a design manual; staff said the plan will coordinate with KYTC and the regional MPO and pursue federal funding opportunities while emphasizing community engagement and safety.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6628589,"Lexington posts vacant‑land map and data hub to help planning and redevelopment",302,4675000,4977000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2716043-4106bbae3686df33699bf7d5767dfde2&start=4675&end=4977","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2716043-4106bbae3686df33699bf7d5767dfde2/thumbnail_4675000.jpg","/articles/6628589/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Lexington-posts-vacantland-map-and-data-hub-to-help-planning-and-redevelopment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628589-1c230a5464664e2f3ab3f31b5737b2f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1772409711&Signature=WTfE2f9mfjwP4uN1-0i8SId1SJriQ5Dzn-xa3dmV4OxTXDcx3~Cx~YpHIGTm8NQVj2m9KlSs2ifS8ie5H8jl-1kPvG6LVa9w38o7ELn5z1MWWmOfIHaqhlfItKE8FK5vMckcYKdcG-ssKbvKC5mVYxB1m0WcCOtz~mkN~LwGWLSV7gvgPRxLYlDTUbiWXzifyrN9C1Ao0-bSjG9sZaEm9Dgt5v7OhgqZHAhul3nsKo95bV6LpUL8eALKXTV2eEo3yKgbsajLXSfNoOY4MrRLpmMhQlL~HJbjaayPLIbZVFDYFyoxWjXpOKtLpxkc9KXLngcBPoUG3svd7drC8lrFlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff provided an update on the ImagineLexington Data Research Center and said the portal now includes a map layer that shows vacant parcels across Lexington‑Fayette Urban County by zoning classification and acreage.

Staff said the vacant‑land layer uses a longstanding LFUCG methodology for classifying parcels and will be updated annually. The map allows users to click individual parcels to see address, acreage and zoning and provides a direct link to the zoning ordinance page that lists allowable uses for that zone.

Staff noted that the dataset currently counts vacancies as parcels with no principal primary use or those in agricultural use within the urban service area; it does not attempt to classify \"underutilized\" parcels. The presenter said there are currently 64 vacant parcels identified in the B‑3 zone in the dataset and that staff will refine search functionality (for example, allowing users to show all vacant parcels in a selected zone) in future updates.

Staff encouraged commissioners and the public to use the portal to inform infill and redevelopment discussions and said more resources and reports will be added over time.","Planning staff unveiled an ImagineLexington Data Research Center layer showing vacant parcels by zone and acreage; staff said the portal will be updated annually and can be used to identify vacant B‑3 parcels and other redevelopment opportunities.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6628594,"Staff to advance removal of 30% lot‑coverage requirement for B‑3 corridor zone; commissioners debate guardrails",450,2447000,2897000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2716043-4106bbae3686df33699bf7d5767dfde2&start=2447&end=2897","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2716043-4106bbae3686df33699bf7d5767dfde2/thumbnail_2447000.jpg","/articles/6628594/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Staff-to-advance-removal-of-30-lotcoverage-requirement-for-B3-corridor-zone-commissioners-debate-guardrails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628594-1ad044914f1b3ea0e4ff89fd6f9079c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1772409711&Signature=hLZkEJos~2CABNfc8t6zBRR4Ip7DoibMPcC-wtLWfylnimhuklQaAPrFs2OIOGLLrUeO9h4V2rsf5q8gDpLEprAWOdr6~SuxLXINsRB04abaJ6uUWO~iK494TykyqF0DHIb8VNvfdXXZMpQIQWmMJ~AnqmVfigmXyxIHxCXhT82ihHmXdfV4YWhkIqbNB2VxQ4hgcj7q~92hMj9mj8QdQNYNEelNHDj1XdAyfA7QPbZoP0l-7ryCsnA9ouR1QbgOwwewTH2nLjFHC3fLuFNs2JuRbNg87Bn6ud3lL5fba4QLfSGTt9~qexxUvvaYEjdvdQjesbcqACqBY4uH3mh~Zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chris Taylor of the LFUCG planning staff told the Planning Commission on March 17 that staff will begin the notice process to advance a text amendment initiated earlier by the commission to remove the minimum lot‑coverage requirement for the B‑3 corridor commercial zone.

Taylor said the requirement — written as a 30 percent minimum lot coverage in the current code — has generated concern because many B‑3 parcels are one‑story retail patterns and recent development trends have favored smaller buildings and larger vehicular use areas. Taylor said the staff will begin mailed notice in early April, present a staff report to the Zoning Committee on May 1 and hold a public hearing on May 22.

Taylor described the 30 percent example in practical terms: on a 1‑acre site the provision can require roughly a 15,000‑square‑foot ground‑floor building, a scale that staff said developers and market conditions have not consistently supported in recent years. Taylor said staff will not at this time amend related provisions the council has asked staff to retain — such as provisions intended to rein in certain outdoor sales uses — and that staff intends to prepare alternatives if appropriate.

Commissioners raised questions about whether removing the minimum lot‑coverage requirement would leave corridor parcels with excessive paved areas and drive‑through‑oriented layouts. Several asked staff to explore alternatives, such as maximum limits on vehicular use areas or other guardrails that would reduce large asphalt expanses while allowing smaller, marketable buildings. Taylor said staff has been studying side effects and will prepare staff alternatives if warranted.

Taylor: \"To address specifically what was requested in the initiation ... the staff is going to go ahead and start the process ... We will start the mailed notice process in early April. You'll get it at your zoning committee on May 1, and it'll be scheduled for a May 22 public hearing.\" Commissioners asked staff to analyze marketability and potential design controls before the hearing, and staff committed to incorporating additional research into the staff report.

The measure is an initiation of a text amendment; no final decision or vote was taken at this meeting.","Planning staff will initiate the process to remove the 30% lot‑coverage requirement in the B‑3 zone after commissioners requested reconsideration; staff gave a schedule for mailed notice, zoning committee review and a May 22 public hearing and discussed reasons including marketability of smaller mixed‑use buildings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House Bill 443 forces rewrite of Lexington development review; staff racing to adopt objective standards ahead of July 1 deadline

Lexington planning staff outline Complete Streets action plan, staff hires and pilot projects

Lexington posts vacant‑land map and data hub to help planning and redevelopment

Staff to advance removal of 30% lot‑coverage requirement for B‑3 corridor zone; commissioners debate guardrails