Lexington Planning Commission recommends denial of storefront church at 517 N. Washington Street

The Lexington Planning Commission on June 3 recommended that the City Council deny a Conditional Use Permit for a proposed storefront church at 517 N. Washington Street in the downtown C-2 Core Commercial zone. The commission made the recommendation after hearing staff summaries, public concerns and statements from the applicant’s representative.

Secretary Bill Brecks reviewed the application and reported the City had received calls from members of the public expressing concern that downtown property should remain for commercial use. The applicants, represented by Juan Carlos Ortiz, said the congregation seeks to expand from current numbers, that parking would be addressed, and that the church would consider relocating out of the downtown area if a suitable building were available.

Commission discussion focused on land-use compatibility in the C-2 Core Commercial district and code requirements. Several commissioners stated they wanted to preserve downtown for business uses and questioned whether the application met the zoning standards cited in staff materials. Commissioner Jeremy Kaiser moved to recommend denial to the City Council, Commissioner Curtis Roemmich seconded, and the motion carried on a 4-2 roll call (ayes: Roque Gonzalez, Curtis Roemmich, Jeremy Kaiser, Cam Smith; nays: Steph Novoa, Kristi Moyer).

Earlier in the meeting the commission approved the minutes of its May 6, 2026 regular meeting (motion by Kaiser, seconded by Gonzalez; unanimous vote). There were no roundtable items; Vice-Chair Cam Smith declared the meeting adjourned. The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Lexington City Council for its consideration.