By Knox van Nagell | May 14th, 2009 | See all in Cleaning Up Our Streams, How We've Made a Difference
The Fayette Alliance supported a 48% increase in the sewer user fee for fiscal year 2009, and a 35% increase for fiscal year 2010. These measures will collectively generate an additional $24.6 million in the dedicated LFUCG sanitary sewer user fee fund. This money will directly pay for $130 million in badly needed infrastructure projects over the next four years. The Council adopted the measure.
View the Fayette Alliance’s Position Statement
By Knox van Nagell | May 14th, 2009 | See all in Cleaning Up Our Streams, How We've Made a Difference
Once the Athens of the West, Lexington-Fayette County is now 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—endangering fish, animals, and humans alike; and feces finds itself in household basements, neighborhood parks, and the scenic fields of world famous farms.
This crisis impacts us all-from the first-grader, businessman and homeowner to the equine and general agricultural farmer. Indeed, we are in this together—and together we must now embrace the opportunity to fix a problem to which we all contribute, that has been decades in the making.
Therefore, in furtherance of the health, welfare, and prosperity of our community, The Fayette Alliance strongly supports the proposed Water Quality Management Fee and Program.
The Council passed the Water Quality Fee on May 14th, with a vote of 13-2.
By Knox van Nagell | May 14th, 2009 | See all in How We've Made a Difference, Protecting Our Farmland
The Fayette Alliance supported text amendment to Article 1-11 of the Zoning Ordinance that would have changed the definitions of a dwelling unit and an extended stay hotel to limit the time period for rental of residential dwelling units—allowing home rentals on a monthly basis or for a period between one week and one month (up to four times a year) in Fayette County.
Such rental requirements would have addressed some of the temporary housing needs of major local events—such as the 2010 World Equestrian Games and the annual Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton thoroughbred sales. On the other hand, it also would have prohibited home rentals for a period of time less than one week— discouraging the presence of disruptive, transient non-residential renters in agricultural areas and neighborhoods; an emerging phenomenon as real-estate markets weaken and rental properties increase in number.
Ultimately, the Planning Commission did not adopt this text amendment, as they were weary of the “unintended consequences” of passing a countywide ordinance prohibiting the weekly rental of homes; i.e. what would be the economic impacts of banning people from renting their homes, on a weekly basis, to pay their mortgage? How would lower income people secure housing if they could not rent a residence week to week? How will LFUCG enforce the rental requirements? Etc.
Ultimately, the Planning Commission recommended that the disruptions associated with short-term rentals be addressed through enforceable licensure and other permitting initiatives. Responding to this recommendation, Ed Lane the District 12 Councilman who initiated text amendment, intends to go back to the “drawing board” with the help of The Fayette Alliance and other stakeholders to explore these options.
View the Alliance’s position statement.
By Knox van Nagell | May 14th, 2009 | See all in How We've Made a Difference, Protecting Our Farmland
In 2008, equine industry leaders participated in the LFUCG Equine Task Force and recommended ways in which local government can actively support the horse business—from lobbying state government to change KY tax law, to continuing funding of the PDR program.
The Fayette Alliance strongly supports these policy initiatives. On December 9th, the LFUCG Budget & Finance Committee officially adopted the recommendations, and will take them to the full Council for adoption and implementation in 2009.
View the Alliance’s position statement.
By Knox van Nagell | May 14th, 2009 | See all in Creating a Dynamic City for Everyone, How We've Made a Difference
Pepper Distillery LLC is seeking Tax Increment Financing for its $190 million Distillery District project.
Through transparent community participation and collaboration, the Distillery District aims to revitalize roughly 28 acres of blighted real estate in downtown Lexington. Approximately 630,000 square feet of new mixed-use construction and 350,000 square feet of adaptive reuse projects will anchor roughly $80 million in public improvements
TIF will allow incremental tax revenues, generated over the course of twenty years by the Distillery District, to offset roughly $80 million in public infrastructure needed to make the project attractive for commercial and residential development, and private equity investment.
In exchange for this 20 year expenditure of public tax revenue, the state of Kentucky and Lexington-Fayette County will gain a vibrant hub of retail business, mixed-income residential properties, art galleries and performing arts facilities, parks, walking and biking trails, an outdoor market, a 125-room boutique hotel, and signature bourbon micro-distillery and museum.
With over 8,000 acres of blighted, underutilized, and vacant land inside the Urban Service Area, The Fayette Alliance strongly endorses the Distillery TIF district. If supported by LFUCG and adopted in Frankfort, it will be a catalytic tool in accommodating our future growth needs—by transforming tired, crime-ridden properties into dynamic urban spaces and streetscapes without needlessly consuming our finite and threatened natural resources.
On November 18th, the Council tentatively approved the Distillery District TIF development plan and ordinance. The ordinance still requires two official Council readings for final approval. The first reading is scheduled for November 20th, and final approval may come on December 4th 2008. Ultimately, with LFUCG assistance, Pepper Distillery LLC will seek adoption of its TIF application in Frankfort.
View the Alliance’s position statement.
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.
The Fayette Alliance
603 West Short Street
Lexington, KY 40508
P (859) 281-1202
F (859) 281-1292
Director@FayetteAlliance.com
“The opinions expressed in the 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 are offered for informational purposes only as they contain information of interest to The Fayette Alliance and the general public.”
© 2012 The Fayette Alliance
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