The opinions expressed in the following articles on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily state or reflect the views of The Fayette Alliance. Publication on this website should not be considered an endorsement. The material and hypertext links provided in the “Land Use News” section are offered for informational purposes only as they contain information of interest to The Fayette Alliance and the general public.
Land Use News
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Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program Protects Fayette County’s Pristine Farmland
By Knox van Nagell | February 28th, 2010 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog, Land Use News
Farmland and Sprawl
“Eblen: PDR still a great deal for taxpayers”
Excerpt from Kentucky.com, posted February 28, 2010
By Tom Eblen, Herald-Leader Columnist
…Any healthy city needs to grow, and Lexington has managed growth better than most. Sprawl was limited by the Urban Services Boundary, created in 1958 and expanded a few times since then, as well as by minimum lot sizes for rural homes — 10 acres from 1964 to 1999, when they were increased to 40 acres. Read the rest of this entry »
Construction Begins on Cheapside Park Renovation & Pavillion
By Knox van Nagell | January 21st, 2010 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog, Land Use News
The street along Cheapside Park will be paved with permeable pavers to reduce storm water runoff and increase absorption. Lexington Herald-Leader | Charles Bertram
The street along Cheapside Park will be paved with permeable pavers to reduce storm water runoff and increase absorption. Lexington Herald-Leader | Charles Bertram
“Work begins on renovation of Lexington’s Cheapside Park”
Excerpt from Kentucky.com, posted Jan 21, 2010
By Beverly Fortune – bfortune@herald-leader.com
Preparation began Tuesday for the reworking of Cheapside Park, including construction of a multiuse iron and glass pavilion.
After a pre-construction meeting with city officials Tuesday morning, “We set up fences and brought in equipment,” said Clay Turner, site superintendent for Marrillia Design & Construction, which is doing the work. Construction officially began Wednesday.
The downtown park, next to the Lexington History Museum in the old Fayette County Courthouse, will have granite pavers laid in a variety of patterns. LED lights will be embedded in the walkways… Read more at Kentucky.com
Growing Renewable-Fuels Could Bring Jobs for Farmers
By Knox van Nagell | January 11th, 2010 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog, Land Use News
“Thousands of jobs could be created in renewable-fuels industry”
Excerpt from Kentucky.com, posted January 11, 2010
By Bill Estep – bestep@herald-leader.com
Kentucky has the potential to develop thousands of jobs in the renewable-fuels industry, but it will take a lot of work and investment to achieve that, according to a state task force.
A full-scale system to produce fuel for power plants and vehicles made from renewable sources such as grass and wood chips could create 10,000 lasting jobs in 15 years, many in farming areas of the state, and generate billions in economic activity, the task force said in a report.
If the state required utilities to burn a certain amount of renewable fuel — called biomass — to produce electricity, that would help develop such an industry, the report said…Read more at Kentucky.com
Bluegrass Conservancy Reaches Goal of Protecting 10,000 Acres by 2010
By Knox van Nagell | January 10th, 2010 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog, Land Use News
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
McConnell Springs Project Seeks to Aid Clean-up of Non-point Water Pollution
By Knox van Nagell | December 29th, 2009 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog, Land Use News
“McConnell Springs project could help control mosquitoes: Heavy rain will test new water quality system”
Excerpt from Kentucky.com, posted Dec. 28, 2009
By Andy Mead, amead@herald-leader.com
A just-completed construction project at McConnell Springs near downtown Lexington was designed to improve water quality in the park’s unusual system of springs — and downstream.
If things go well, it also could mean the end of the “mosquito meter.”
The meter is a sign with a moveable arrow that employees put out on days when the blood-sucking insects are especially bad.
“A healthy aquatic system provides the fish, insects and other things that help take care of the mosquitoes,” said Charles Martin, director of the city’s water quality division, on a visit to the park Monday…Read more at Kentucky.com
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 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.
Want to experience our incredible Bluegrass farmland?
Visit our Bike for the Bluegrass page and www.horsecapitaltours.com to learn how!
Land Use News - See all
- Southland Christian in Talks to Aquire Lexington Mall
- Turfland Town Center Development Plan Public Hearing, March 25th
- Alliance Supports Mayor’s Proposed $2 million Budget for PDR
- Locals Want Farmland Conservation, Trails, Cool Urban Spaces in Latest Community Survey
- Kentucky is the Sixth Most Susceptible State in Country to Gas Price Shock
Recent Posts
- Are you interested in helping your community?
- 4th Annual Bluegrass International Cup at Polo in the Park
- The Fayette Alliance’s FY 2011 Budget Request
- Council Funds Farmland Preservation
- Paint for Your Supper Featuring Andre Pater
- Our Town Our Farms Benefit Concert
- New Design Submitted for CentrePointe
Did you Know?
In 2006, the World Monuments Fund designated the inner Bluegrass Region, including Fayette County, as one of the 100 most endangered cultural landscapes in the world due to it’s alarming loss of farmland to sprawl development.
