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Farmland Spared from R.V. Park

By Knox van Nagell | August 2nd, 2010 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog, How We've Made a Difference, Protecting Our Farmland

RV Park

On Friday, the Board of Adjustment unanimously denied a permit to allow a 444 space R.V. park on 91 acres of prime Bluegrass farmland in Northern Fayette County. The board denied the permit because they were concerned with the long-term impacts of an R.V. park in the rural area, the ability to environmentally restore the farm, and several sewer treatment issues. Read more about the hearing at Kentucky.com

The Fayette Alliance, as Lexington’s advocate for sustainable growth, led the opposition, and was joined by several community partners including Fayette County Farm Bureau, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the Rural Land Management Board, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, the Neighborhood Council, and area neighbors and farmers.

Indeed, this was a team effort–and after a two hour hearing–we were able to defeat this onerous development that would have jeopardized our rural area and fragile waterways.

Your support makes these victories possible, and with it, the Alliance can continue to protect our irreplaceable farmland and streams, while strengthening the city of Lexington through innovative infill redevelopment . Please donate today, for our town, our farms, and our future.

Thank you, and please contact me anytime if The Fayette Alliance can ever be of assistance.

Executive Director
The Fayette Alliance
Knox van Nagell, J.D.

Read the rest of this entry »


The Fayette Alliance’s FY 2011 Budget Request

By Knox van Nagell | July 1st, 2010 | See all in Creating a Dynamic City for Everyone, Fayette Alliance Blog, How We've Made a Difference, Protecting Our Farmland

On Thursday, June 23rd Council adopted the FY 2011 Budget, which begins July 1, 2010. Council approved our request for continued funding of the PDR program, which is matched by $2 million from the federal government. However, Council did not approve funding for the research and implementation of downtown design guidelines and form-based codes, or a Land Bank and Vacant Land Commission.

The Fayette Alliance will continue to promote these essential policies at government on behalf of the community. Stay involved by signing up for our news updates and action alerts.
JOIN TODAY
.

More about The Fayette Alliance’s FY 2011 Budget Request,

Farmland and Sprawl

Farmland and Sprawl

The Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program. It has accomplished incredible results with limited funds in a short period of time, including protecting over 24,000 acres of prime Bluegrass farmland in just 10 years.  PDR is a beacon of LFUCG, Lexington-Fayette County, and the state of Kentucky—as noted in August 2009’s respected Planning Magazine, and countless other sources.  PDR funding will be matched by state and federal funding resulting in twice the money for half the price in farmland conservation. PDR significantly contributes to Lexington’s economic development strategies by protecting the factory floor of our $3 billion signature industries, thousands of local jobs, renowned international brand—which makes Fayette County “The Horse Capital of the World” attractive to agricultural investors and knowledge-based professionals alike. Also, farmland pays for itself and then some—as they generate more revenue on the dollar for the city, than they demand in costly city services—a net gain of 7 cents to be exact. This money goes into LFUCG coffers to pay for trash, fire, police, and other essential services that benefit all of us.

Vacant Lot

Infill redevelopment through a Land Bank and Vacant Land Commission. They are essential tools to redevelop and revitalize otherwise blighted, undevelopable, and under-used urban properties, as Louisville and other progressive cities have demonstrated.  Vacant properties are a financial drain on the community.  With a potential 12,000 acres of land inside Lexington available for infill redevelopment projects, our city is on the brink of a remarkable opportunity.

Downtown Lexington

Downtown design guidelines and form-based codes. They are needed so development in our urban core will occur without destroying what makes the built environment unique—assuring both investors and community advocates of its benefits.  As demonstrated by downtown’s recent Centre Pointe and CVS pharmacy controversies, a universal, objective, and efficient regulatory framework is needed to govern the character and “envelope” of new buildings constructed in Lexington’s downtown.  The time to act is now. Without a design framework in place, downtown—and the community at-large—will continue to undercut its potential with controversy and mediocrity.

Please view the links below for more information on these issues.
The Fayette Alliance Public Comment
Downtown Design Guideline Presentation
“Lexington council approves 2011 budget that dips into rainy-day fund: Plan Includes selling land, using reserve fund”, Beverly Fortune 6.25.10 Kentucky.com
“PDR Funding Deserves Approval” Op-Ed Margaret Graves & Frank Penn 6.12.10 Kentucky.com
“New project plan, little city planning: CentrePointe or not, design rules urgent”
Op-Ed 6.11.10 Kentucky.com
“Lexington planners take first step toward design standards”
Beverly Fortune 5.28.10 Kentucky.com


Council Funds Farmland Preservation

By Knox van Nagell | July 1st, 2010 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog, How We've Made a Difference, Protecting Our Farmland

But Design Guidelines and Infill Redevelopment Programs not Included in Budget

Fayette County Farm

Fayette County Farm

Over the last few weeks we’ve asked you to join us in telling Council to support funding for farmland preservation, design guidelines, and infill redevelopment initiatives which make our community better by protecting our environment, our local economy, and what makes Lexington-Fayette County special to you.

Thank you for your great response in supporting The Fayette Alliance’s FY 2011 Budget Request!  READ MORE about the request.

Your voice is important in creating positive change in Lexington, and preserving those key community elements that we all value. As

Downtown Lexington

Downtown Lexington

Council hears from more and more grassroots advocates like you, they’ll understand it’s time to change how we think about city-building and farmland preservation here in Lexington-Fayette County.

On Thursday, June 23rd Council adopted the FY 2011 Budget, which begins July 1, 2010. Council approved our request for continued funding of the PDR program, which is matched by $2 million from the federal government. However, Council did not approve funding for the research and implementation of downtown design guidelines and form-based codes, or a Land Bank and Vacant Land Commission.

Blighted Property

Blighted Property

The Fayette Alliance will continue to promote these essential policies at government on behalf of the community. Stay involved by signing up for our news updates and action alerts.
JOIN TODAY
.

Thank you for your help! Together, we are making Lexington great by promoting our town, our farms, and our future.



The Fayette Alliance Successfully Opposes RV Park at Board of Adjustment

By Knox van Nagell | June 1st, 2010 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog, How We've Made a Difference, Protecting Our Farmland

RV Park

On June 24th, The Fayette Alliance joined the LFUCG Planning Staff in opposing a temporary R.V. Park on property located at 2215 Mary Fay Place and 1201 Providence Place Parkway. The proposal included the construction of 100 R.V. parking sites—approximately 30’ feet wide—on the property, complete with necessary graveling, etc. The R.V. park would be used during the World Equestrian Games.
The property is zoned “Economic Development” (E.D.)–which is intended to promote land-uses that create jobs and incubate business. For instance, allowed uses in this zone include offices, research development and testing laboratories, a variety of industrial/manufacturing/and related uses, medial services, and academic schools and institutions.
The Board of Adjustment DENIED the application, for two main reasons:
1. An R.V. park is not a permitted use in the Economic Development Zone. The supply of “Economic Development” land is limited in Fayette County, and an R.V. park does not fulfill the critical economic development needs of the community nor the intended goals of the ED zone.
2. To allow an R.V. park on the property—despite its related ED zoning—would jeopardize the public health, safety, and welfare of the community. The application provided no reasons for why an R.V. Park should be a permitted in the E.D. zone, and it did not detail how essential services—such as electric, sewage, and potable water—would be provided for users of the R.V. park.

While the 2010 W.E.G. is an incredible opportunity for our community, we must accommodate the transportation and housing needs of event within what’s legally allowed in our zoning ordinance. To do otherwise, hangs the well-being of Lexington-Fayette County in the balance.

To learn more and read the Alliance’s official position statement, click here.


Mayoral and Council At-Large Candidates’ Responses to 2010 Growth Questionnaire Now Available

By Knox van Nagell | May 18th, 2010 | See all in Community Outreach, Fayette Alliance Blog, How We've Made a Difference

Click here to view the Primary Election results.

How do we become a world class city in a world class landscape?  Click here to view the candidates’ responses to the 2010 Growth Questionnaire, which addresses important growth issues such as farmland preservation, affordable housing, and downtown design standards.

Jim Newberry

Jim Gray

Teresa Isaac

Skip Horine


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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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