Planning commission approves Subtext rezoning for high-density mixed-use project near UK; historic preservation and parking concerns raised

The Urban County Planning Commission on April 24 voted to approve a zoning map amendment and associated preliminary development plan submitted by Subtext Acquisitions LLC that will rezone 11 parcels at the intersection of East Maxwell and Lexington Avenue from medium-density residential (R4) and professional office (P1) to downtown frame business (B2) to allow a high-density mixed-use project.

Planning staff, represented by Daniel Crum, recommended approval with conditional zoning restrictions and a list of plan notations to preserve the intent of downtown residential density and to prohibit certain commercial uses. "With respect to the conditional zoning, the conditions ' are aiming at preserving the core intent of this application, which is providing additional density, downtown housing and not utilizing the site for uses that would sort of be counter to those goals," Crum said.

The applicant, Subtext (represented by Nick Nicholson and Ryan Bone), told the commission the project responds to downtown and University of Kentucky (UK) proximity and that changes requested by…