Planning commission approves Hampton Inn amendment despite Marriott owner objections over fire access and parking

The Lexington Planning Commission on July 10 approved an amended development plan for PLN MJDP 25-29 (Coleman Property, Newtown Pike) to permit revisions tied to a Hampton Inn and Suites project. The motion to approve, made by Mr. Wilson, carried 7 in the affirmative, 1 negative and 1 recusal.

The vote followed a half-hour of testimony from the applicant and a neighboring property owner about site constraints, drainage and a gate and drive that provide cross-access into adjoining Marriott property. The development team said the revised plan restored a surface detention area and removed previously planned parking atop the detention to satisfy the Division of Engineering. Nathan Billings, of Billings Law Firm, who represents the applicant, said the plan “complies with all the subdivision regulations” and that staff and technical review committee recommendations support approval.

The dispute focused on a gated emergency access that opens onto the Marriott Owners Group property and on whether firefighting access and future redevelopment rights on the Marriott parcel might be compromised. John Woodall, an attorney representing the Marriott Owners Group, said his clients have spent money reconfiguring a golf hole and are concerned the project relies on access across Marriott property. “Do your development. But stay on your own property,” Woodall said, arguing the plan would create a de facto fire lane and risk encroaching on a fuel station lease behind the site.

Lexington Fire Department Captain Catherine Eisen told the commission the department needs reliable access and that a gate can be workable if public safety has access: “it would be locked, but only, but be accessible by us,” she said, describing radio-frequency or emergency-access technology that fire and police use. Eisen added that if a future redevelopment on the adjoining parcel eliminated access firefighters could object and require changes to maintain life-safety access.

Billings said the applicant will follow fire department requirements and noted the property has been the subject of prior reviews; he also said the applicant secured cross-parking arrangements with adjacent property owners and that roughly 55 spaces on adjacent property are guaranteed for the hotel’s use. Engineer Daniel Rayner estimated walking distance between the remote parking area and the hotel entrance at about “200 to 220 feet.”

Commissioners pressed about who would be responsible for the gate lock and how emergency access would be assured. Captain Eisen said firefighters would take whatever steps necessary in an active fire, including breaching a lock if required; she emphasized the department’s priority is life safety, not property lines. Staff advised that the site met ordinance and subdivision requirements and that the Division of Engineering would continue to review construction-level plans.

The commission approved the amended development plan by recorded tally. The approval preserves staff conditions and will proceed to permitting and technical review.

The decision follows the plan’s earlier approvals and a postponement last month after neighbors asked for more time to review updated materials.