Board of Adjustment approves some short‑term rentals, disapproves others and continues one after public opposition and compliance concerns

Lexington’s Board of Adjustment on Nov. 10 reviewed eight short‑term rental (STR) applications and took mixed action: the board approved multiple conditional use permits, denied several where staff cited compliance problems, and continued one application to allow applicants to fill operational gaps.

Staff opened the STR portion of the agenda with a summary of the city’s concentration rules, noting the two triggers the ordinance uses: an automatic disapproval if there is another licensed STR within 600 feet unless relief applies, and a separate 2% threshold of STRs within a 1,000‑foot buffer. Dalton Belcher, planning staff, said most cases on the agenda were not close to the 2% concentration threshold but two applications raised the 600‑foot buffer question.

The board approved the following STRs, each subject to the standard four conditions listed in staff reports (occupancy, local contact, compliance with city code and noise/parking provisions) unless noted:

- PLNBOA25‑110 (156 Greenwood Lane): Bridal Everman — approved on a motion; applicant agreed to staff conditions.

- PLNBOA25‑112 (2008 Oleander Drive): Janelle Blessing — approved with staff‑recommended lesser occupancy (8 occupants); Blessing read a personal statement describing family hardship and said the permit would help her retain the home after her husband’s death.

- PLNBOA25‑113 (131 North Broadway…