Planning commission roundup: approvals, postponements and withdrawals from May session

The Lexington City Planning Commission’s meeting on May 14 produced a number of routine and substantive outcomes across subdivision, development‑plan and public‑facility items. Below are the key motions and outcomes taken at the meeting.

Red Mile Mixed‑Use Withdrawal (MJDP20456) - Status: Applicant withdrew the application for the Red Mile Mixed Use Development (1101 Windback Way). Planning staff read the applicant’s statement; no vote was required. Jihad Halani of Vision Engineering said the developer opted to move the project elsewhere after considering timing and regulatory processes. Mr. Halani said the Red Mile project was a roughly $45,000,000 development opportunity that the applicant decided to withdraw.

Consent agenda - The commission approved a consent agenda of multiple reapproval and final items, removing the Charles and Darlene Martha property (item J) at the applicant's request. Items on consent included the Papert property (PLN MJDP 19‑13), Leastown Industrial Park (PLN MJDP 20‑519), Palomar Place / Shroyer property (PLN MJDP 25‑21), Covey Ridge Development (PLN MJDP 255‑23) and others. The commission’s motion to approve the consent agenda (with item J removed) carried unanimously.

Postponements - Locust Hill Shopping Center (PLN MJDP 20512): Applicant requested a one‑month postponement to the June 12 meeting to resolve floor area‑ratio concerns tied to demolishing and replacing a restaurant and meeting ordinance standards. Motion to postpone carried unanimously.

Lexington Center Corporation — High Street parking lot subdivision (MJSUB25.1) - Action: Planning staff recommended and the commission approved the revised staff recommendation and two waivers allowing alternate cross sections and reduced access spacing along specified arterials; staff required Kentucky Transportation Cabinet approval for certain access points. The commission approved the subdivision and waivers (motions carried unanimously).

Hospitality Motors / BP site (PLN MJDP 20520) - Action: The commission approved the development plan to remove an existing building and construct a new convenience store on North Broadway (2125 and 2143 N. Broadway) and recommended that two earlier discussion items (vehicle rental use and pedestrian connection) be struck from the final condition list after being resolved at subcommittee. Motion carried 9‑0 (one commissioner participated in later business); chair announced approval.

Shriners Hospital / Masonic Temple Association (PLN MJDP 2522) - Action: Commission approved a revised plan for a small building and drive‑through (Grater's ice cream) with revised stacking and one‑way circulation to reduce conflicts in the drive aisle. Motion carried; recorded vote included one abstention.

Deer Haven Park public facilities review - Action: Planning staff recommended and the commission found the proposed park consistent with the comprehensive plan. Staff noted the project will be built in phases; Phase 1 includes a shelter, playground, pickleball courts and a small parking area (approx. 12 spaces plus two ADA). The motion that the park is in compliance carried (one abstention). Parks staff confirmed porta‑toilets before permanent restrooms are added in Phase 2.

Other items - Lexmark International (PLN FRP 24‑29 / PLNMJDP 24‑91): see separate article for full coverage (waivers, development plan, final plat approved unanimously). - Additional routine items (final plats, reapprovals) on the agenda were approved as part of the consent agenda or individually; applicants must complete agency sign‑offs noted in staff reports.

Why it matters: the meeting combined routine approvals with several larger planning items (Lexmark, Turner property and Bluegrass Airport) that require further plan revisions or cross‑jurisdiction coordination. Items approved on consent moved forward with standard conditions; the commission’s advisory position on the airport signals additional environmental and design scrutiny for that project.

Speakers

- Cheryl Wade — Planning staff (consent/agenda management) - Jihad Halani — Vision Engineering (Red Mile withdrawal statement) - Various applicants and planning staff who presented the consent and individual items listed above

Actions (summary list)

- Consent agenda: Approve items PLN MJDP 19‑13 (Papert), PLN MJDP 20‑519 (Leastown Industrial Park), PLN MJDP 25‑21 (Shroyer / Palomar Place), PLN MJDP 255‑23 (Covey Ridge lot 4), among others; outcome: approved (consent motion carried unanimously, item J removed at applicant request). - Postponement: PLN MJDP 20512 Locust Hill Shopping Center postponed to June 12; outcome: postponed (unanimous). - Lexington Center MJSUB 25‑1: Approve subdivision and waivers (alternate cross sections; access spacing) with state approval for certain access points; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Hospitality Motors PLN MJDP 20520: Approve development plan with 15 staff items (two prior discussion items resolved); outcome: approved (vote recorded). - Shriners / Grater’s ice cream PLN MJDP 2522: Approve site plan and one‑way drive‑through revisions; outcome: approved (1 abstention recorded). - Deer Haven Park (PFR): Find proposal in compliance and approve Phase 1 amenities; outcome: approved (1 abstention recorded).

Clarifying details

- category: "withdrawal", "detail":"Red Mile Mixed Use Development (case MJDP20456) withdrawn by applicant; project estimated as a $45,000,000 proposal per applicant statement","source_speaker":"Jihad Halani" - category: "postponement","detail":"Locust Hill Shopping Center (PLN MJDP 20512) postponed one month to June 12 to resolve FAR and ordinance compliance issues","source_speaker":"Cheryl Wade"

Proper_names

[{"name":"Red Mile Mixed Use Development","type":"project"},{"name":"Papert property","type":"location"},{"name":"Covey Ridge","type":"location"},{"name":"Lexington Center","type":"organization"},{"name":"Grater's","type":"business"}]

Provenance

{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"t-107.34","local_start":0,"local_end":40,"evidence_excerpt":"Yes. I will just note, 1 item that had been discussed by the commission already, twice, is the Red Mile Mixed Use Development... the applicant... has elected to withdraw their plan.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"t-418.155","local_start":0,"local_end":220,"evidence_excerpt":"Commissioner Jonathan Davis. Thank you. That carries unanimously.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]}

sections":{"lede":"The May 14 meeting of the Lexington City Planning Commission cleared multiple consent‑agenda items and voted on several development and subdivision plans, plus a developer withdrawal and a one‑month postponement.","nut_graf":"Most consent and regular agenda items moved forward with standard staff conditions; notable actions included a developer withdrawal of the Red Mile project, a postponement for the Locust Hill Shopping Center to June 12 and an approved downtown Lexington Center subdivision that allows a planned grocery site and mixed‑use development.","ending":"Applicants approved or postponed at the meeting must complete staff‑listed sign‑offs (utility capacity assurances, state approvals for certain access points, and coordination with wellhead or other agencies) before final plan certification and permitting."}