Council debates proposed winter shelter site at Versailles Road recycling center; motion to remove items from docket fails

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council members heard more than an hour of public comment and staff explanation Tuesday over a proposed seasonal winter shelter on city property at the former furrow site on Versailles Road, including disagreements about whether the facility's entrance should use Nancy Hanks Way or Versailles Road.

The council was told the emergency shelter would operate from Nov. 1 to April 1 as a turnkey program run by a single vendor providing all services. Commissioner Lanter, the administration's lead on the proposal, said the site selection followed a search of more than 30 locations and that the Nancy Hanks Way route was chosen initially because "if we're in the back, the Nancy Hanks Way exit is literally feet away." Lanter added, "There is no perfect location for an operation such as this."

The proposal prompted public comment from nearby residents and property owners who said the Nancy Hanks entrance would force people to walk through residential areas with inadequate sidewalks and create safety risks. Peggy Henson, who identified herself as from the 11th District, told council members the area "is within walking distance to two schools run by LFUCG" and said sidewalks on the corridor were inadequate for people walking to the site. Richard Maloney, also from the 11th District, said residents in the area include…