What’s New
Council Approves Green Infrastructure in Local Subdivision Regulations
By Knox van Nagell | February 1st, 2010 | See all in Current Issues, What's New
Bridge Debris From Trash
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of text amendment (SRA-2009-4) to our local subdivision regulations and LFUCG Council approved the text amendment 6-0. This text amendment will allow the use of low-impact / green water quality measures to minimize the environmental impacts of land development.
To use these alternative water quality measures, the applicant must submit a written report to the Planning Commission outlining the environmental benefits of the proposed design. Further, the proposal’s design must be consistent with EPA guidelines, and must be prepared by a certified engineer with the state of KY. Lastly, Planning Commission must seek input from the LFUCG Department of Environmental Quality before taking action.
Sprawl
The Fayette Alliance believes the amendment is a progressive and accountable tool that, if used by the community, can drastically improve our natural waterways and our development practices—a much needed opportunity, considering Lexington-Fayette County is a place where people and livestock have tragically lost their lives in flooded streams; raw sewage and stormwater run-off pollute over 70% of our creeks; and feces finds itself in household basements, neighborhood parks, and the scenic fields of world famous farms.
In furtherance of the EPA consent decree and the remediation of our compromised water quality systems, The Fayette Alliance strongly endorses this text amendment. Please view here for our official position statement.
Paint for Your Supper, featuring Thomas Coates
By Knox van Nagell | January 28th, 2010 | See all in Events, Past Events
A benefit series for The Fayette Alliance
Upon completion of this series, an auction of works by the featured artists will be held to benefit The Fayette Alliance for, Our Town, Our Farms, and Our Future.
Supporters of The Fayette Alliance joined us at Jonathan’s at Gratz Park on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. to watch Thomas Coates “paint for his supper.”
The Paint for Your Supper series will feature well known artists throughout the year at local venues “painting for their supper.” Please register at www.fayettealliance.com to receive an announcement about the next Paint for Your Supper, tentatively scheduled for March 2010. Read the rest of this entry »
New LEED-ND Certification Process Offers Timely Opportunity for Fayette County Developers
By Knox van Nagell | January 18th, 2010 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog, What's New
Artek
“A Greener Tomorrow: USGBC to begin registering LEED certified neighborhood developments in 2010″
Excerpt from Bizlex.com, posted Jan. 7, 2010
By Natalie L. Reed, LEED AP
Lexington, KY – The LFUCG’s Housing Market Study, which was released in October of this year, revealed that 40 percent of Lexington’s residents prefer to live in an “infill product” inside New Circle Road and that this percentage is growing as transportation costs increase and good infill product is built. According to a press release issued by the LFUCG, this study will be used as a reference point by the Planning Commission, particularly in the next Comprehensive Plan Update process.
In July of this year, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced a new certification program for “Green Neighborhoods” — LEED-ND (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Developments). Will the USGBC’s new certification system encourage more Lexington developers to adopt sustainable practices, or are they already utilizing “green practices”?
According to Knox van Nagell, the executive director of the Fayette Alliance, the new LEED-ND certification process is a very timely opportunity for developers in Fayette County…Read more at Bizlex.com
Turfland Mall Owners Present Development Plans to Public
By Knox van Nagell | January 18th, 2010 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog, What's New
“Developer meets the public about plans for Turfland Mall”
Excerpt from Kentucky.com, posted Jan. 20, 2010
By Beverly Fortune, bfortune@herald-leader.com
More than 125 people turned out Tuesday night to hear the top executive of Rubloff Development Group, owner of Turfland Mall, give details of the proposed $120 million redevelopment of the mall property.
The meeting was held at the Oleika Shrine Temple on Southland Drive.
CEO Zach Knutson said Phase 1 would include leaving the former Dillard’s building and finding a major commercial company to take the space, about 160,000 square feet.
The enclosed part of the mall would then be razed and replaced by office space and residential units wrapped around a 450-space, three-story parking garage. The residences would range in size from 800 to 1,200 square feet…Read more at Kentucky.com
Read more articles about Turfland Mall,
“Owners have plans for Turfland Mall property: Want retail, office, residential tenants for site” Kentucky.com 01-17-2010
Bluegrass Conservancy Reaches Goal of Protecting 10,000 Acres by 2010
By Knox van Nagell | January 10th, 2010 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog, What's New
The Fayette Alliance strongly supports the farmland conservation efforts of Bluegrass Conservancy and congratulates the Conservancy on achieving its goal of 10,000 acres under easement. Farmland conservation is a crucial strategy in the long term sustainability and viability of our signature agricultural industries in Central Kentucky- and the Alliance appreciates the Conservancy’s continued partnership to this end.
“Saving the Bluegrass farm by farm, Bluegrass Conservancy reaches goal: 10,000 acres preserved”
Excerpt from Kentucky.com, posted January 9, 2010
By Andy Mead – amead@herald-leader.com
MIDWAY — The soil on the rolling Lantern Hill Farm is deep and rich. Two Eclipse champion Thoroughbreds have been raised there.
“It is among the best in the world in what it can produce,” owner Suzi Shoemaker said. “I would like to see future generations have the opportunity to raise horses here. Whether they want to or not, they will have that opportunity.”
Last month, Shoemaker took an important step to make that happen. She donated a conservation easement for her 184 Woodford County acres to the Bluegrass Conservancy, a private, non-profit land trust…Read more at Kentucky.com
Update: Student Housing & the Moratorium on “Big Box” Additions
By Knox van Nagell | December 12th, 2009 | See all in Current Issues, What's New
The Fayette Alliance supported a proposed temporary moratorium for “big box” additions in the residential zones of Lexington’s Infill and Redevelopment Area. Click here for our official position statement.
Ultimately, Council adopted the moratorium only for the 3rd District, which will:
- Temporarily prohibit additions exceeding twenty-five percent (25%) of the square footage of the existing structure—unless the proposed addition would result in a final structure that would not exceed a total of fifteen hundred (1,500) square feet. The moratorium will last 6 months.
- Prohibit The Division of Building Inspection from issuing building permits listed in this resolution for the duration of the moratorium.
News articles about Lexington’s student housing and the moratorium…
“Closure hearing rescheduled for student houses”
Excerpt from Kentucky.com, posted December 15, 2009
By Beverly Fortune, bfortune@herald-leader.com
At a hearing Monday, Fayette Circuit Judge Thomas Clark rescheduled to Thursday a hearing on the city’s request for a temporary injunction to close six rental houses.
The city says the buildings are being operated as boarding houses in neighborhoods reserved for single-family homes or duplexes.
During Monday’s hearing, city attorney Rochelle Boland told the judge that with one exception, all the houses had at least one bedroom with a hasp lock or key lock on the door on Nov. 7, when city inspectors looked the properties…Read more at Kentucky.com
Click below to view previous news articles on student housing and the moratorium,
Who We Are
The Fayette Alliance is Lexington’s ONLY land-use advocacy organization that regularly educates and lobbies local government for a sustainable growth model that benefits all of us.
We believe that preserving our signature Bluegrass landscape, creating a dynamic and equitable cityscape through infill redevelopment, and improving our natural waterways by fixing our sanitary sewer and stormwater systems are key components to achieving our economic and environmental promise here in Lexington-Fayette County.
We are an alliance of citizens from the entire community, including stakeholders from the agricultural, neighborhood, and infill sectors. See "Who We Are" We are a united voice for responsible growth, and only weigh-in on those land-use issues that have countywide implications. Together we can chart our future, and positively impact local zoning decisions—the very building blocks of our community. See "Our Successes"
If you want a better quality of life for all of us, please join The Fayette Alliance today for free.
Learn more about our mission, policies, and legal status.
Land Use News - See all
- Construction Begins on Cheapside Park Renovation & Pavillion
- Growing Renewable-Fuels Could Bring Jobs for Farmers
- McConnell Springs Project Seeks to Aid Clean-up of Non-point Water Pollution
- Water Quality Management Fee Begins Jan. 2010
- Water Quality Management Fee Will Be Used To Improve Sanitary & Storm Water Systems
Recent Posts
- Council Approves Green Infrastructure in Local Subdivision Regulations
- Paint for Your Supper, featuring Thomas Coates
- New LEED-ND Certification Process Offers Timely Opportunity for Fayette County Developers
- Turfland Mall Owners Present Development Plans to Public
- Bluegrass Conservancy Reaches Goal of Protecting 10,000 Acres by 2010
- Paint for Your Supper
- Update: Student Housing & the Moratorium on “Big Box” Additions
Did you Know?
Over 70% of Fayette County streams that have been assessed by the Kentucky Division of Water are impaired or polluted.
