Candidate Questionnaire, Cassandra Vogl

Cassandra Vogl

Housing

Studies show Lexington needs about 22,500 new housing units across all types to fill the housing gap in our city, but 75% of the needed units are at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

What strategies and locations do you believe Lexington should prioritize for housing growth in order to address these needs?

• Answer:

I believe that Lexington’s housing gap requires a strategy that increases supply without pushing the city’s development farther outward. We should focus on expanding and promoting Affordable Housing Density Bonuses,this allows the city to meet housing needs while also preserving rural land. Strategies like encouraging developers to include both affordable and mixed‑income units, particularly through redevelopment of underutilized land, helps keep Lexington accessible to residents across all income levels. Transit‑rich corridors like Versailles Road are especially well‑suited for mixed zoning redevelopment, as the location has the potential to offer diverse housing options connected to jobs, services, and public transportation.

I also think that we should prioritize investing in Public‑Private Partnerships,this is one tool that can help expand opportunities for residents, nonprofits, and mission‑driven developers to acquire and maintain affordable housing, keeping homes permanently rooted within the community. Open Door Housing is an excellent example of mission-driven development for affordable housing. If we maximize the resources we already have—like the Permanent Supportive Housing funds used by AVOL or the Low-Income Housing Tax Credits as used by developer Holly Wiedemann with the Parkside Apartments —this will help accelerate the creation of stable, long‑term housing options for those who need it the most. Using tools that are already in place, alongside strategic redevelopment, ensures Lexington can grow responsibly while meeting the full spectrum of housing needs.

Expansion

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council recently adopted the Preservation and Growth Management Program, which created a data-driven method for considering future expansions of the Urban Service Boundary (USB).

What factors do you believe are most important to consider if an expansion of the Urban Service Boundary was proposed to the Council during your term?

• Answer:

If an expansion of the Urban Service Boundary is proposed to Council during my term, I will push to focus on an Infill First approach. Infill First will allow Lexington to grow in a way that protects our existing neighborhoods and helps the City use public resources responsibly. If we prioritize development in areas where infrastructure is already in place, this helps to offset costly sewer extensions, new road construction, and expanded emergency services that would otherwise place a heavy financial strain on current residents. For example, the 2023 expansion was projected to cost over half a billion dollars in infrastructure investments, so any future expansion would require both strategic planning and efficient use of existing resources. When and if we do need to expand our Urban Service Boundary, we need to ensure the expansion is both feasible and fiscally responsible.

I believe that in order for expansion to succeed, Lexington must adopt practical and enforceable requirements for affordable and mixed‑income housing, aligning expectations with market realities, so new development can deliver the housing types Lexington needs. Evaluating land suitability, infrastructure costs, and long‑term sustainability keeps growth attainable for residents across all income levels. The Preservation and Growth Management Program provides a framework for balancing development with the protection of Lexington’s rural identity, ensuring that expansion is measured, intentional, and tied to clear outcomes that can guide future planning.

Agricultural Preservation

Agricultural industries, and the farmland that supports them, have an economic impact of $2.6 billion every year on Lexington-Fayette County’s economy and support more than 16,000 jobs across all twelve council districts.

What policies do you support that promote Lexington’s iconic and productive farmland and protect it from irresponsible future development?

• Answer:

I view The Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program as one of our most important tools for preserving Lexington’s prime farmland. The PDR program ensures farmers are compensated for their stewardship while preserving the iconic landscape that defines the Bluegrass. This program works to promote and protect our farmland, and I support that. We currently have more than 5,000 acres of vacant land inside the existing Urban Service Boundary. This vacant land is why I support an Infill First approach .This allows Lexington to grow without sacrificing our farmland. When we focus on Infill First, we are doing more than just saving farmland, we’re also protecting our natural habitats, supporting healthier ecosystems, and maintaining the rural character which is central to Lexington’s identity.

I believe that the Preservation and Growth Management Plan will help us in deciding any future boundary changes, while adding another layer of accountability to its current residents. By requiring a Vacant Land Review and infrastructure cost analysis before expansion is considered, we’re ensuring that our decisions are data driven. We have to look at everything from land suitability to long‑term sustainability. If we pair strategic growth, with practical requirements, we can meet our community needs, while still preserving the rural identity that makes Lexington unique.

Transit

Land use policy and public transit are closely linked. How do you think Lexington can prioritize transit oriented development moving forward and what strategies do you support to improve our city’s public transit system?

• Answer:

Our land use decisions and public transit are deeply intertwined and greatly impact one another. Smart land use increased our density, which in turn, increased public transit usage. To build a truly connected city, I support policies that link where we live with how we move. I support land banking, improving our sidewalk connectivity, micro-transit, and the development of housing near bus stops, as initiatives. Prioritizing transit-oriented development connects two core pillars of my campaign: Housing and Habitat, and by expanding housing options and protecting our community’s environment, we can build a stronger city together.

Downtown Area Master Plan

LFUCG recently adopted a new Downtown Area Master Plan. As the community works to increase the vibrancy of our downtown while also creating new housing opportunities, which implementation items from the Plan would you like to see prioritized and why?

• Answer:

The Downtown Area Master Plan is a great example of building consensus through collaboration, and the city did a great job of engaging residents. To fulfill the plan’s vision of expanding downtown housing and urban vibrancy, we must pair housing growth with infrastructure that supports daily connectivity. When people can easily connect with the public transit system, or have alternative means of transportation, traffic congestion is reduced and community engagement is promoted.
I support prioritizing capital investments in streetscape improvements; sidewalk expansions, safe crosswalks, enhanced lighting, and traffic-calming design. Combining these improvements with a strong multi-modal transit network creates a truly walkable city for everyone, regardless of age, location, or mobility.

Data Centers

Lexington currently has a moratorium on data centers until October 31, 2026. How do you think Lexington should address the growing demand for data centers?

• Answer:

My time serving on the LFUCG Environmental Commission has shown me firsthand how unsustainable data centers are for our community. These centers put an immense strain on our energy grid, while also consuming millions of gallons of water, and producing noise pollution. Any potential economic benefits they may offer, are outweighed by the strain upon our natural resources, which is why I support extending the restrictions beyond the October 31 moratorium.
We must prioritize protecting our urban habitat, rural farmland, water resources, and the people of Lexington over corporate interests by requiring strict local regulations and clear enforcement mechanisms. Lexington must lead with smart growth policy and environmental protections, keeping our community’s long-term future in mind.

Renewable Energy

What policies would you support to increase urban renewable energy development, like commercial and industrial rooftop solar, in Lexington-Fayette County’s built environment?

• Answer: 

I am actively following Fayette Alliance’s coverage of the upcoming Maryland bill that would put solar on industrial roofs, which would ease the pressure on farmland, as well as the LFUCG’s recent Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments (ZOTAs) regarding solar energy. As Maryland’s bill shows, placing clean energy infrastructure directly where the energy is consumed: on industrial roofs, retail development, and parking lots, is one of the strongest tools we have to ease some of the pressure to develop our farmland.
I support a policy framework that integrates clean energy standards directly into building codes and local zoning. We can incentivize solar use while tackling urban challenges like stormwater runoff and heat island effects. By utilizing solar on multi-tenant buildings, industrial parks, and Lexington’s built environment, we prove that protecting our agricultural lands and expanding renewable energy can work hand in hand.

Student Housing

As enrollment at the University of Kentucky expands, Lexington neighborhoods are feeling the pressure of increased demand for student housing. What growth strategies would you support to balance the need for student housing with the concerns of longtime residents?

• Answer:

The University of Kentucky has an ever expanding student population, which we owe the vitality of our city to. However, as this question notes, our neighborhoods are feeling the pressure for the increased demand for student housing. While the Council does not have direct authority over the governance of UK, I do believe that the city and the university need to be working together to balance the growing student housing need with the needs of our neighborhoods.

To do this, we need a structured partnership between university leadership, the city planning department, and neighborhood associations. By bringing these stakeholders together, we can relieve pressure on local housing stock through expanding on-campus housing options, encouraging high-density development along high-capacity transit corridors, and making joint infrastructure investments. Coordinated planning ensures Lexington and UK grow together as community partners, and the needs of our residents and students are considered.

Urban Service Boundary

Lexington’s historic and productive agricultural lands feel more pressure each year for development of all kinds. Why do you think it is important to protect our Rural Service Area, and what policies do you support (in addition to the PDR program, vital for conservation) or would you like to see implemented to continue safeguarding it?

• Answer:

Land is one of our most precious and finite resources and our Rural Service Area is not just a green space, it is also the economic engine behind much of our industry. The PDR program is the standard for permanent protections and conservation, so in addition to the continued support of this program, I would like to see PDR paired with smart urban growth policies within the current Urban Service Boundary.

Smart urban growth means maintaining the current Urban Service Boundary and focusing our city’s growth through adaptive reuse and infill. I support updating our zoning ordinances to streamline the development of mixed-use and mixed-income housing, as well as advancing land-use practices that protect groundwater and soil health. I believe that if we focus Lexington’s growth upward and inward, instead of an outward urban sprawl, we can ensure that the historic and productive agricultural lands remain protected, while addressing the housing needs of our residents.