A shortage of affordable housing is approaching a crisis across the US for many low to middle-income residents. Housing is defined as affordable when the occupant is paying no more than 30 percent of their gross income for housing costs. City and county governments, city planners, and policymakers are painfully aware that the limited housing...
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Lexington’s Urban Service Boundary (USB) is a nuanced topic, complicated by many variables. The most discussed consideration is the implication of the USB on the housing market. Is the USB limiting growth in Lexington? Will expanding the boundary solve that problem? These are important questions, but they aren’t the only questions we need to consider....
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Experts agree that the housing shortage in Lexington—and across the country—is primarily due to a lack of affordable, attainable housing. Proponents of expanding the Lexington Urban Service Boundary (USB) often want to claim more of Lexington’s productive farmland to build single-family detached housing, the sort of sprawling suburbs found in areas around Hamburg and off...
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The Lexington Urban Service Boundary, although frequently debated, is often misunderstood. It’s part of our mission to educate the community about how and why smart growth improves the quality of life for all residents. Here are 10 frequently asked questions about the Lexington Urban Service Boundary. 1. What is the Urban Service Boundary? First implemented...
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The question is not if we grow, it’s how. With a dedication to long-term planning, we envision growth that’s thoughtful and equitable, with a sustainable approach that makes the most of the land we have through infill and redevelopment. Infill and redevelopment within Lexington’s Urban Service Boundary (USB) is the growth strategy set forth in...
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If you asked ten people what makes Lexington-Fayette County such a special place, you might receive ten different answers. It’s bourbon country, horse country, home to great industries and educational institutions. Like any good bourbon, Lexington’s distinct appeal comes from its blend and balance, which is largely supported by a unique feature: the Urban Service...
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2022 Priorities As a non-profit, we have been your voice at City Hall for smart, sustainable growth for 15 years. Our mission from the beginning has been to advocate at city hall, educate the community, and fund research that helps our city decide HOW we grow, because we know that growth is inevitable. Who was...
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Street Patterns As we continue to grow our city and encourage new development for more Affordable housing, complete neighborhoods, expanded access to transportation options, and greater access to amenities nearby, the way we design our streets is paramount to our community members’ quality of life. We know from the Lexington Sustainable Growth Study that we...
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In 2017, the Lexington Bluegrass Association of Realtors (LBAR) funded a research study by the University of Kentucky to look at how Lexington’s land-use policies and our Urban Services Boundary (USB) affect our growth – from their impacts on housing prices to jobs to city revenue. Here’s a summary of what the research found: Lexington’s land-use...
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September 2021 Update During the special Planning and Public Safety Committee meeting on September 14, the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment was amended and approved to move to the full Council. The added restrictions prevent the new construction of stand-alone detached units. This means that only attached ADUs or existing detached structure...
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