Committee approves waiver for East High multiuse project; staff to supply full waiver report

The Lexington City subdivision committee approved a waiver request for PLN WAV 259, an amendment to a multiuse residence near East High and Vine Street, allowing the applicant to omit a direct pedestrian connection to Vine Street because of a large gravity block retaining wall and a nine‑foot grade difference, officials said.

Staff explained the applicant’s justification under the zoning waiver standard (Article 21‑9), which states a waiver may be issued where strict application of the regulation would adversely affect public health, safety or welfare. The applicant and staff said reconstructing the wall to create a pedestrian opening would be impractical: the city’s public works department is rebuilding an 8‑foot wall at the Vine Street location and creating the connection would require additional demolition and reconstruction.

Commissioners noted the prior development plan had shown a Vine Street connection but that subsequent engineering and city wall reconstruction changed the site conditions. Staff said residents of the proposed residence would still have pedestrian egress via High Street sidewalks or other nearby routes if the Vine Street opening is not built.

A committee member moved to approve the waiver on the condition staff provide the previous plan and a complete waiver report to the planning commission; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff said a full waiver report and a side‑by‑side comparison of the prior plan and the current proposal will be provided at the planning commission hearing.

The committee did not take public comment on this waiver at the meeting. The waiver proceeds to the planning commission with staff reporting the additional materials.

Next procedural steps include a full waiver report and presentation to the planning commission for final consideration.