Commission approves Denton Farms unit with conditions including emergency-access and hedge-fence requirements

The Lexington City Planning Commission on Feb. 13 approved PLN MJDP 25-5, Denton Farms Unit 2 Lot 1, with added staff conditions that require a second emergency access and installation of a hedge-fence along Long Road before building permits for the phase can be issued.

Cheryl Gaut (staff) reviewed the project and the revised staff recommendations. Denton Farms, rezoned in February 2003 with conditional zoning restrictions, is nearing build-out of the 495-unit maximum. The developer is converting some previously proposed apartment buildings into 34 townhomes for the final phase; overall numbers discussed included 61 condo/apartment units and 34 townhomes in the area under review. Staff added conditions after the subdivision committee meeting requiring (1) no building permits for Unit 2 Lot 1 until emergency-access improvements meet Division of Fire and traffic-engineering requirements, and (2) no permits until the hedge-fence along Long Road is installed to replicate the treatment across the street at Judmont Farm.

Michael Barlow, representing the applicant, said the applicant agrees to the two additional staff recommendations and has already met with the fire department to coordinate emergency access. “We are agreeable to those 2 additional staff recommendations that we have to get these determined before we can start construction,” Barlow said.

Commissioners and neighbors also discussed the height and siting of proposed condo buildings. David Osborne, a nearby resident, asked the commission to require the developer to lower the grade or reduce the visible height of a condominium building that would sit on higher ground relative to surrounding single-family homes. The applicant responded that proposed structures would comply with EAR-1 zoning maximums and the 35-foot height limit. Commissioner Nickel noted the structures meet the current zoning standard and that the developer is complying with the ordinance.

During discussion staff and fire personnel noted that the subdivision already meets or exceeds the code threshold requiring two points of access for the larger development; however the new phase cannot receive building permits until the agreed emergency access is constructed per condition. The commission approved the development plan with the 21 staff recommendations and later approved the associated EAMP compliance statement; both motions passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance PLN MJDP 25-5 Denton Farms Unit 2 Lot 1 — Approved with staff conditions requiring emergency access and hedge-fence installation before building permits (motion passed unanimously). EAMP compliance statement approved (motion passed unanimously).