Planning commission approves 55‑lot Suburban Point plan despite neighborhood push to block stub‑street connections

The Lexington Urban County Planning Commission on an unanimous vote approved a preliminary subdivision plan for Suburban Point, a proposal to create 55 single‑family lots, two open‑space parcels and a detention basin on a largely undeveloped parcel at 421 Price Road.

Chris Chaney, planning staff, told commissioners the plan shows extensions of Dominican Drive and Tibbs Lane and a new connector (Pfister Way) through the block. Staff identified several minor plan corrections — including a tree‑canopy and adjacent‑owner notations — but recommended approval subject to signoffs from engineering, traffic, environmental quality, open‑space and water‑quality reviewers and correction of deficiencies.

Nick Nicholson, representing the applicant, said the plan meets applicable subdivision regulations and that the applicant will cooperate with neighbors on access issues if the Urban County Council chooses to close or barricade any public right of way. “We are more than happy to work with the neighborhood to close any road connections if the city council is so inclined,” Nicholson said.

Neighbors urged the commission to prevent three stub streets — Dominican Drive, Saint Martin’s Avenue and Tibbs Lane — from becoming through routes into Saint Martin’s Village. Bruce Simpson, speaking for the St. Martin’s Village Neighborhood Association, argued the street stubs were never intended to be converted into collectors and urged postponement until an expert witness could attend. “We believe the plan will have a serious adverse impact on Saint Martin’s Village,” Simpson said.

Other public commenters described the streets as part of a historic neighborhood pattern and said connectivity would increase cut‑through traffic and alter the community’s character. John Connor, who said his family has lived in Saint Martin’s Village since 1956, asked commissioners to preserve the neighborhood’s character by keeping the stubs closed.

Planning staff and commissioners noted a legal distinction: the planning commission reviews subdivision plans against technical subdivision regulations, while the Urban County Council has authority to close or barricade dedicated rights of way. Staff cautioned that the commission could not grant a waiver that had not been requested and public‑noticed. The commission also discussed alternatives such as cul‑de‑sac terminations if the street continuity were not to be pursued.

Commissioner Owen moved to approve the Suburban Point preliminary subdivision with the ten conditions listed in the staff report; Commissioner Nichol seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. The approval advances the project to the final‑plat and certification stage, where staff technical signoffs must be obtained before recordation.

Next steps: the applicant must correct the plan notations and obtain the departmental signoffs cited by staff; if residents want the stub streets permanently closed they were advised to pursue that request through their council member and the Department of Public Works.