Lexington council advances solar zoning text amendment after public support; bundle of ordinances and resolutions approved

LEXINGTON — The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council on May 14 voted to initiate a zoning ordinance text amendment (ZOTA) that would change how solar energy systems are defined and permitted, following public comments urging the city to adopt rules that both expand renewable energy and protect farmland.

Supporters of the proposed ZOTA told the council the change balances clean-energy goals with agricultural protections. “I support this proposal because it creates a responsible path forward for clean energy while also encouraging agrivoltaics and dual use farming practices that keep farmland productive,” said Jeremy Jenkins, a District 3 resident who spoke during public comment. Judith Humble, chair of the Bluegrass Climate Action Team, told the council the proposed ZOTA includes soil protections and a 1% cap designed to protect farmland while advancing solar siting locally.

The proposal came with warnings about state-level limits that may constrain local rooftop and community solar expansion. “The policy will allow the state to stop offering net metering after net metering reaches 1% of their peak energy needs,” Humble said, and she noted other statutory constraints such as size caps on net-metered systems and limits on third-party ownership. Retired urban planner Henry Jackson urged the council to forward the ZOTA to the planning commission for consideration, calling it “a modest and excellent first step” toward local energy independence.

Council business that evening also included approval of a broad package of ordinances and resolutions. Council approved second readings and roll-call votes on multiple zoning and appropriations ordinances, accepted bids for infrastructure projects, and approved grant-related actions. Among items acted on were acceptance of a bid for the Fayette County courthouse roof replacement, approval to accept an Emergency Management Performance Grant requiring a local match, and authorization related to a memorandum of understanding with the University of Kentucky for a new police training academy at the Coldstream Research Campus. Several council members registered opposing votes on specific items — including recorded 'no' votes related to item 21 during earlier ballots — but the overall bundle passed.

During the public hearing portion devoted to the mayor’s proposed budget, resident Luke Box asked council to reconsider a $278,000 allocation for CASA of Lexington, citing the nonprofit’s IRS-reported cash assets and suggesting those funds be redirected to a public safety-related program. The council closed the formal public hearing on the budget after hearing the remarks and moved on to agenda items.

The ZOTA now moves forward in the local legislative process as initiated by council action; the text amendment and related materials are posted on Lexington’s website for public review. Council also approved a number of time-sensitive suspensions of the rules to give second readings to select items that will proceed to implementation steps as scheduled.

The meeting adjourned after mayoral communications, donations and procurements were approved and several council members offered district updates. The council will take additional required procedural steps as the ZOTA and the approved resolutions move to the next administrative stages.