Commission approves Turner property plan preserving a tree‑lined farm road and allowing townhouse access easements

The Lexington City Planning Commission voted to approve the development plan and requested waivers for the GDK Farm / Turner property, a multi‑parcel subdivision along Tates Creek Road that connects into adjoining parcels in Jessamine County.

Planning staff described two waivers the applicant requested: (1) a waiver of Article 6‑4 c of the land subdivision regulations to permit townhouses to rely on access easements rather than individual lot frontage on a public street; and (2) a waiver of Exhibit 6‑3 to allow an alternate residential collector street cross‑section that preserves an existing tree‑lined farm road as a pedestrian amenity between separated drive aisles. Chris Chaney summarized staff findings that the waivers would not adversely affect public health and safety and cited exceptional hardship owing to existing topography and drainage constraints.

Nathan Billings, attorney for the developer, and other members of the project team said the plan balances housing types and connectivity across three contiguous parcels, two of which lie in Jessamine County. Billings said the design retains the tree‑lined farm road as a linear park and places townhouses so that the front entries face a landscaped amenity rather than a busy arterial. "One of the key things that Mr. Turner wants to do is to keep that farm road and the tree lined farm road as his vision for the sanctuary," Billings said, showing renderings and cross‑sections.

Commissioners asked about sewer timing, stormwater detention, and neighborhood interfaces. Staff noted the project received the…