Lexington planning board backs rezoning of 1.35-acre Cedarwood Drive parcel, recommends City Council approval

The City of Lexington Planning Board on Sept. 16 voted to recommend that City Council rezone a 1.35-acre parcel on Cedarwood Drive from business zoning to suburban neighborhood zoning, following a staff presentation and a separate vote to adopt a statement of consistency with the city’s 2022 land use plan.

Planning staff member Josh told the board the property is owned by Jeffrey Wayne Sink and that Mr. Sink asked to have the parcel’s zoning changed to match two adjacent properties he also owns. Josh said the agenda packet mistakenly labeled the requested district as “traditional neighborhood” but that the correct target district is suburban neighborhood. He described the surrounding map: business and industrial zoning along Old Linwood Road and suburban neighborhood (residential) zoning on Cedarwood Drive.

The board heard that rezoning is a legislative process requiring staff review, a Planning Board recommendation and a City Council public hearing. Josh also explained the required statement of consistency tying any rezoning to adopted land-use policy. The statement presented to the board said the proposed zoning map amendment is consistent with the 2022 land use plan, which supports a variety of residential building types while calling for design that protects neighborhood character and aligns lot sizes and densities with surrounding neighborhoods.

After staff presentation, Unidentified Speaker 4 moved to approve the recommended statement of consistency; Unidentified Speaker 3 (Julie Harshaw) seconded. The board approved the statement by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

For the second required action, Mr. Dunn moved that the Planning Board recommend City Council adopt an ordinance rezoning the parcel (identified by the Davidson County tax department with a parcel number whose last four digits end in 24) from business to suburban neighborhood district. The motion was seconded (the audio records a second by "Miss Turett or Miss Williams"). The board voted by voice; Speaker 5 announced the motion carried.

The board also received a brief staff reminder about Certified Local Government (CLG) historic-preservation training and the need for three members to complete annual training to maintain certification and grant eligibility.

The Planning Board had no public objections recorded for the item during the meeting. With both votes carried, the board’s formal recommendation will move to City Council, which is expected to consider the rezoning following a public hearing and ordinance numbering. The meeting adjourned at the end of the session.