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Planning committee backs Hazen mixed‑use plan after developer offers 90‑foot cap on disputed height
Summary
Lexington technical committee recommended approval of the Hazen mixed‑use development (155 residential units and internal parking) after the applicant pledged to limit a small proposed height increase and submit detailed addenda on access, stormwater and sewer capacity before Planning Commission review.
Planning technical staff recommended postponement of the Hazen property development, a multi‑story mixed‑use project planned for the block bounded by South Limestone, Mont Mullen and Prawl, citing an updated area‑character study and questions about increased building height. The plan shows an internal parking structure and 155 residential units above nonresidential space.
Nick Nicholson, representing the applicant, told the committee the only substantive change from the previously approved preliminary plan is “2 feet 8 inches” of additional height and offered to cap the building at 90 feet if that would address the committee’s concerns. “If we need to cap that at 90,” Nicholson said, “we are more than happy to do that.”
Staff listed multiple requirements not met, including an updated area character and context study, lighting and stormwater exhibits, bicycle parking that complies with zoning, a tree inventory and a sanitary sewer analysis to evaluate additional system flows. Committee members pressed the applicant to show how access points, sidewalk cross sections and trash/servicing arrangements will be handled; staff said some issues could be resolved administratively prior to certification but that others will need clear documentation before Planning Commission consideration.
The applicant said they have been working on the project about a year and a half and asked the committee to recommend approval so they can proceed to the Planning Commission. Nicholson and the applicant team committed to prepare a short addendum to clarify access and elevation changes and to reflect any cap on height in the elevations.
The committee voted to recommend approval to the Planning Commission after the applicant agreed to provide the requested exhibits. The Planning Commission is scheduled to hear the case in two weeks; staff said outstanding technical items (sewer capacity, pedestrian cross‑sections, lighting and tree protection) must be addressed before final development certification or building permits are granted.
Next steps: the applicant will submit revised exhibits (character study addendum, sanitary sewer analysis, updated elevations if the 90‑foot cap is applied), and the project will appear before the Planning Commission for final action.
