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Lexington council approves conditional zoning for Dunbar School redevelopment
Summary
City council adopted a consistency statement and ordinance 2024-048 to conditionally zone the historic Dunbar School at 301 Smith Avenue for renovation into a mixed-use project that will preserve historic spaces and add about 64–70 residential units alongside community facilities.
Lexington’s City Council voted Nov. 12 to adopt ordinance 2024-048, clearing the way for the Dunbar School redevelopment at 301 Smith Avenue to move forward as a conditional zoning project.
The council first adopted a statement finding the rezoning consistent with the city’s 2022 land-use plan and then approved the ordinance after a public hearing and presentations from city staff and the applicant. Planning staff said the proposal conforms to the land-use plan’s call for a variety of residential building types, mixed uses and careful infill that preserves neighborhood character.
Developer Ken Ryder of Belmonts Air, joined by partner Matt Springer, presented a concept plan for roughly an 8–9 acre site that retains historic buildings, ball fields and tennis courts while adding new construction. Ryder said the development is expected to include “about 64 units” and can go up to 70 depending on final layouts. The plan also converts former gymnasium and auditorium space into community areas and places apartments in former classroom spaces.
Staff told the council the applicant met public-notice requirements and submitted a traffic study by Davenport that estimates up to 1,264 trips on a busy day (staff broke that down as 486 trips attributed to the multifamily units and 778 trips tied to the recreational/community center). Staff and councilmembers discussed that the 1,264 figure represents a peak-use scenario and said average daily counts would be lower; council members asked staff to provide nearby existing traffic counts before subsequent actions.
The planning board approved the project unanimously at its prior meeting, and staff noted the property is also moving through a local historic landmark designation process. Councilmembers who moved and seconded the consistency statement and ordinance did so by voice vote; the record shows motions were made, seconded and approved.
Council members and staff said they expect the project to proceed next to design finalization, financing and permitting steps. No changes to the development agreement were reported at the meeting.
