Planning commission approves Lexmark site waivers after debate on pavement width and sidewalks

The Lexington City Planning Commission unanimously approved a waiver and the related development and plat documents for the Lexmark International property after commissioners and staff resolved remaining technical questions about access, pavement widths and sidewalks.

Planning staff said the applicant requested two waivers tied to the final record plat and development plan for the site: reduction of an access easement from 40 feet to 30 feet and a waiver to allow sidewalks to be located outside the access easement where existing utilities and steep slopes constrain construction. "There are 2 requested waivers," Planning Staff member Chris Chaney told the commission, describing the rights-of-way and sidewalk issues and the applicant's rationale tied to existing utility easements and steep slopes.

The discussion focused on how much unobstructed pavement the fire department needs. Officer Beatty of the Division of Fire told the commission he requires 20 feet of unobstructed pavement for fire access but said a 30-foot pavement width (front-of-curb to front-of-curb) would be acceptable: "I wanna see 20 foot of unobstructed pavement. If it's a 2 lane road, as long as I still have the 20 foot of unobstructed pavement, That's acceptable for fire." Applicants and their consultants said site constraints — including large power poles, a gas transmission easement and steep slopes — make the requested reduction necessary, and they confirmed they could provide the 30-foot pavement that staff and fire requested.

Trevor Edmonson, development manager for Churchill McGee (the project team), described the project and utility work the applicant will undertake: "It's our future headquarters for Churchill McGee... there's gonna be a substantial investment on our part to get utilities realigned and upsized to accommodate our project and other things going on on the Lexmark project." Consultant Abby Jones explained the constraints in the access easement area: "Our constraints…