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Planning Commission reviews land‑use map anomalies, leaves most changes for later public hearing
Summary
Commissioners reviewed three future‑land‑use anomalies — including a city‑owned house near the African‑American cemetery — and agreed to hold most designations as‑is until a specific proposal emerges, while recommending targeted map edits around RARo and hospice parcels.
At its March 12 meeting, the Lexington Planning Commission reviewed three parcels flagged during the five‑year comprehensive plan update as inconsistent with current zoning or recent land transactions and discussed how to handle future‑land‑use designations.
Staff identified the first parcel as a city‑owned house sometimes called the 'Knox house' near New Marketplace (map references show it in a conservation/open‑space designation despite an existing single‑family dwelling). Commissioners noted the parcel abuts a historic African‑American cemetery and expressed concern about permitting development that could be perceived as encroachment. One commissioner said she had "some concerns about that" and favored leaving the property’s future designation as conservation/open space until a concrete proposal and community notice could inform any change.
For a second area around RARo and the health department, staff showed aerials and proposed converting a lower portion of a larger lot to 'traditional neighborhood' while retaining conservation designation nearer Woods Creek Park; commissioners asked that the map edits be drawn to follow parcel/parking footprints and existing tree lines. The commission also suggested changing two hospice‑adjacent parcels to 'mixed use' so the future‑land‑use map better aligns with existing RLC zoning on those lots.
Public commenter Natalie Edgar raised historical mapping evidence of former African‑American burial sites elsewhere in town and urged care when considering map changes near cemeteries.
Commissioners did not take final votes on these comprehensive plan map edits at the meeting; staff will package the suggested boundary graphics and revised draft for one more review before scheduling public hearings.
