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Vulcan Mining Operation Sues Lexington Board After Denied Expansion

By Knox van Nagell | March 18th, 2011 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog, How We've Made a Difference, Protecting Our Farmland

Vulcan Materials Co., which operates a rock quarry on Elk Lick Falls Road, is seeking a conditional use permit to allow it to blast underground on an adjacent Fayette County farm. DAVID PERRY | STAFF | KENTUCKY.COM

Vulcan Materials Co., which operates a rock quarry on Elk Lick Falls Road, is seeking a conditional use permit to allow it to blast underground on an adjacent Fayette County farm. DAVID PERRY | STAFF | KENTUCKY.COM

On Friday, February 11th The Fayette Alliance joined the Boone Creek and Old Richmond Road neighborhood associations, Fayette County Farm Bureau, the Fayette County Neighborhood Council, and other community partners to oppose Vulcan’s request to expand its limestone mine in South Eastern Fayette County.

After a contentious nine-hour hearing–spanning two meetings–the Board of Adjustment DENIED Vulcan’s conditional use permit application 5-1.

The Alliance believes that Vulcan should satisfy the requirements of the LFUCG mining ordinance before expanding their activities on Turner Station Road. Vulcan not only failed to comply with the mining ordinance, but its operations are also a nuisance to surrounding neighbors. This track record demonstrates Vulcan’s disregard for land stewardship—as required by several of our important land-use authorities including the Rural Land Management Plan, the 2007 Comprehensive Plan,  the Boone Creek National Historic District, which is adjacent to the mine in question.

While the Alliance supports mining and quarrying in Fayette County, it must be properly licensed and operated. Without this requirement, the expansion of environmentally disruptive uses will be the order of the day—fundamentally jeopardizing our local Zoning Ordinance, and most importantly, the safety of the public. Click here to learn more.

The Alliance looks forward to working with our elected officials to ensure that our local mining ordinance is implemented and enforced countywide, and we’ll keep you posted of all developments at fayettealliance.com.

“Company sues Lexington board over mining issue”

By Beverly Fortune, 3.17.11, Kentucky.com

Vulcan Construction Materials has filed a lawsuit against the Lexington Board of Adjustment and its individual members demanding that the board issue Vulcan a conditional use permit to do underground limestone mining on property on Elk Lick Falls Road.

Vulcan wants to expand its mining onto a farm in southeastern Fayette County, adjoining the property where it already mines

At the conclusion of a Feb. 11 hearing, the board voted to deny Vulcan’s request…Read more at Kentucky.com

More articles about Vulcan Materials’ Expansion Request,

“Board denies Vulcan’s request to expand limestone mining in Fayette” Beverly Fortune, 2.14.11, Kentucky.com

“Grounds for dispute: Lexington needs better rules for land use conflicts between farms, rural industry” Tom Eblen, 2.2.11, Kentucky.com

“Hearing on Vulcan Materials’ Request for Permit is Extended” Beverly Fortune, 1.29.11, Kentucky.com


Winchester Road Designated a State Scenic Byway

By Knox van Nagell | March 4th, 2011 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog, How We've Made a Difference, Protecting Our Farmland

Photo courtesy of trailsrus

On February 28th, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet designated a portion of Winchester Road in Eastern Fayette County–from the Urban Service Boundary to the Clark County Line–a state scenic byway. After an extensive application process, the Transportation Cabinet determined that Winchester Road has “roadsides or viewsheds with scenic, natural, cultural, historical, archaeological, and/or recreational value worthy of preservation, protection, restoration, and enhancement.” This honorary designation will encourage tourists to drive along, and enjoy this portion of Winchester Road.

The Fayette Alliance strongly supported this application in furtherance of agritourism in Fayette County. Click here to see a pdf of our letter of support. We would like to thank the LFUCG Rural Land Management Board for its leadership on this important initiative, and look forward to celebrating and promoting Winchester Road as one of Lexington’s significant rural roadways.
Photo on home page courtesy of Jeff Rogers, www.jeffrogers.com

Volunteers Needed: We Can’t Do It Without You!

By Knox van Nagell | February 14th, 2011 | See all in Community Outreach, Events, How We've Made a Difference, Past Events

 

Help spread the word about the Alliance!

Help spread the word about the Alliance!

Help spread the word about our work to achieve a sustainable Lexington for all of us.

The Fayette Alliance will receive a free day of advertising on 91.3 WUKY if Alliance volunteers answer phones on Thursday, March 3rd during WUKY’s pledge drive.

This is an incredible opportunity to spread the word about our mission of preserving and promoting our signature Bluegrass landscape and its related agricultural industries, creating a dynamic and equitable city through responsible development, and improving our infrastructure and environment!

Please email Charlene Mingus, Development & Outreach Director, at charlene@fayettealliance.com to let her know you are interested in volunteering for a shift during the WUKY pledge drive on Thursday, March 3rd and what shift you’d like to reserve.

(Volunteers will receive an Alliance t-shirt or hat!)

Volunteer Shifts
Thursday, March 3rd

  • 6 a.m. – 10 a.m.  0 volunteers needed
  • 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.  0 volunteers needed
  • 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.    1 volunteer needed

We are incredibly grateful to have supporters like you! Your commitment moves our mission forward and makes a lasting difference in the future of our community. Thank you for your dedication and support.


Update on Mayor Gray’s Transition Teams

By Knox van Nagell | February 7th, 2011 | See all in Creating a Dynamic City for Everyone, Fayette Alliance Blog, How We've Made a Difference

Downtown Lexington | Photo Jeff Rogers, jeffrogers.com

Downtown Lexington | Photo Jeff Rogers, jeffrogers.com

Knox van Nagell, Executive Director of the Alliance, was named to Mayor Jim Gray’s transition team, which focused on five issues that are critical to building a great city: Neighborhoods, Traffic, Bluegrass Preservation, Diversity & Inclusion, and Environment.

The Fayette Alliance truly appreciated serving on Mayor Gray’s “Quality of Life” transition team. It was an inspiring experience–to work with so many talented and intelligent Lexingtonians. We look forward to working with Mayor Gray and the Council to achieve a world class Lexington in our incredible Bluegrass landscape.

We called upon our supporters to share their dreams, hopes, and concerns for Lexington–and the response was wonderful! Your input is important and crucial to making Lexington the special place we all want it to be.

Continue to let us know what you think. We’re listening. The Fayette Alliance is uniquely positioned to bring your voice—your ideas, insights, and perspective– to our local officials. Unlike other non-profit organizations, the Alliance lobbies and educates local government on activities related to achieving a sustainable Lexington that benefits all of us.

Citizen teams look at problems facing Lexington

By Tom Eblen
Posted 2.6.11 on Kentucky.com

…When I printed out all of the transition team reports to read, I had a stack of paper more than an inch thick. They offer a lot to think about, but here are a few random recommendations that shouldn’t get lost in the shuffle:

  • Appoint a Director of Agriculture to the city’s economic team to focus not only on the equine industry but on diversification of Fayette County’s agriculture economy. That would include more emphasis on locally grown food, and perhaps pushing for the legalization of industrial hemp, which in the 19th century was Fayette County’s biggest cash crop.
  • Get the mayor and Urban County Council out of City Hall more often by having some council meetings and “mayor’s night out” events in neighborhoods around town.
  • Bury power lines at the same time the city is replacing sewer lines as part of the federal consent decree.
  • Promote public transportation with more shuttles like the Colt Trolleys at special events. Make the downtown transit center more inviting by encouraging food vendors and performers to come there. Continue former Mayor Jim Newberry’s emphasis on bike lanes and trails, and mark popular bicycle commuter routes.
  • Create a Community Development Corp. or “land bank” to promote redevelopment of blighted areas and vacant land within the Urban Services Boundary.

Read more at Kentucky.com


We Want Your Input!

By Knox van Nagell | December 8th, 2010 | See all in Creating a Dynamic City for Everyone, Fayette Alliance Blog, How We've Made a Difference

Downtown Lexington by Jeff Rogers

The Executive Director of The Fayette Alliance, Knox van Nagell, has been named to Mayor-Elect Jim Gray’s transition team. This team will focus on five issues that are critical to building a great city:

  • Neighborhoods
  • Traffic
  • Bluegrass Preservation
  • Diversity/Inclusion
  • Environment

As an Alliance supporter, now is the time to share your dreams and hopes for Lexington. Your input is important and will help any effort made towards building a better, stronger, and more distinguished Lexington.

We’re listening.  Please send us any of your hopes, thoughts, and concerns about these issues.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Rogers Photography, Inc.


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Who We Are

The Fayette Alliance is your voice at city-hall advocating for sustainable growth in Lexington…to achieve a world-class city in our world-class Bluegrass landscape.

Since 2006, the Alliance has worked with local government to usher over 50 major land-use policies into law that promote farmland preservation and our signature agricultural industries, responsible development, and improved water quality and infrastructure in Fayette County.

We are charting Lexington's future by positively impacting local zoning and policy decisions—the very building blocks of our community. Although many challenges still remain, we are accomplishing sustainable growth in Fayette County for a better quality of life, economy, and environment for all of us.

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