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Commission approves rezoning and 220-unit expansion for Anderson Campus Rental Properties; developer withdraws variance
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a zoning map amendment to R-4 and a revised development plan that adds about 220 dwelling units to the Anderson Campus/"Midtown" property; the applicant withdrew a requested variance after redesigning the plan to address parking and connectivity concerns.
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Planning Commission on Aug. 14 approved a zoning change and associated development plan for Anderson Campus Rental Properties (PLNMER 25-7; PLN MJDP 25-26) that rezones roughly one-half acre from R-1D/R-1T to R-4 (medium-density residential) and allows a development plan that includes approximately 220 additional dwelling units as part of a larger apartment complex.
Planning staff presented the application and said the rezoning and development plan align with the comprehensive plan’s recommendation for higher-density housing on underutilized parcels in an enhanced neighborhood place type. Jeremy Young (planning staff) said the revised plan addressed earlier staff concerns: the applicant provided a parking-demand mitigation study; held a neighborhood engagement meeting (no attendees reported); restored vehicular and pedestrian access to Burley Avenue to improve connectivity; and revised layouts so an earlier requested variance was no longer necessary.
Applicant counsel Murphy and the project team (including Dennis Anderson, designer Tony Barrett of Barrett Partners, Mike Craft and Steve Garland) told the commission they had redesigned the plan to eliminate the variance and improved entry points, added a mountable traffic island/turnaround where Simpson Avenue would terminate inside the private development, and expanded sidewalks and parking arrangements to meet multifamily design standards. The development transitions building heights down toward the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks, moves parking to rear yards, and provides common open space; staff’s recommended conditions include engineering, traffic, urban forestry and water-quality sign-offs and a note that open-space minimums may reference a small park on Burley Avenue where it meets the ordinance distance requirement.
Staff and the applicant discussed stormwater concerns raised in public comments and in earlier reviews. Staff said engineering and water-quality reviewers are comfortable for the project to proceed to the development-plan stage provided final stormwater-control designs (including any proposed underground detention) are approved by the LFUCG engineering department before construction. Commissioners asked the applicant to complete more of that technical engineering before final development approvals if possible; staff recommended the applicant provide those details with the final development plan to expedite subsequent review.
The applicant withdrew the earlier variance request on the record. Commissioners voted to approve the zoning map amendment to R-4, the revised development plan with staff conditions, and the waiver for Simpson Avenue’s terminus (the mountable traffic island) after motions and seconds; the chair announced each motion carried unanimously.
Staff and the applicant noted the project includes on-site management and smaller building footprints in some areas to respond to neighborhood character and topography. The commission recorded no opposition speakers at the meeting, though staff acknowledged public comments filed online and included photos of prior localized stormwater issues for reviewers and commissioners to consider.
