Council approves residential parking permit program for first block of Forest Avenue after contested study

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council approved a resolution on Sept. 11 establishing a residential parking permit program for the first block of Forest Avenue, covering 116–124 Forest Avenue and 505 East Main Street, effective 24 hours a day Monday through Sunday per the resolution text.

Public comment on the block was sharply divided. Residents who live on Forest Avenue argued that employees and customers of a nearby social club and deliveries routinely block driveways and reduce residents’ ability to park. "This beverage delivery truck was blocking my driveway while it unloaded to the club," said Marcy Deaton, a Third District resident, and she showed council photos taken within weeks of the meeting. She urged the council to approve permit parking for 10 spaces to preserve access to narrow driveways.

Opponents — including club owners and nearby businesses — argued the LexPark occupancy study used to justify the permit request was manipulated. FieldLab (who identified a council district and said they were the petitioner’s opponent) and business owners said LexPark observers reported occupancy below the threshold on most visits. "10 out of 12 times when parking enforcement came by to look at this, 10 out of 12, it didn't even meet the threshold to have the study," a speaker identifying himself as FieldLab said.

Small-business owners also warned the permit would shift parking to other blocks and harm restaurants and venues that rely on short-term street parking. Brian Babich, who identified himself in public comment as a business owner on the block, asked the council to avoid setting a precedent that would push customers to parking garages or away from local restaurants.

Council action and vote: The item appears in the packet as Resolution Item 6 (establishing residential parking permit program for the first block of Forest Avenue). Council took a roll-call vote on the block of resolutions; Councilmember Savigny was recorded as voting "No" on item 6 while voting Yes on most other items. The resolution passed.

Implementation details and next steps: The approved resolution calls for 24‑hour resident permit parking for the specified addresses. Opponents asked the city to re-run or anonymize study dates to avoid manipulation; supporters asked city staff to enforce delivery and loading restrictions to prevent driveway blocking. Staff will be responsible for implementing the program and for public communications about permit eligibility and enforcement.

The council did not direct a new study at the meeting; several speakers urged more transparent study methods and asked for mitigation steps before or during implementation.