Candidate Questionnaire, Emma Curtis
Emma Curtis (incumbent)
Emma Curtis is the current Councilmember of District 4 and is running for re-election in 2026.
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, first and foremost, Lexington needs to prioritize high-density infill and redevelopment projects within the Urban Services Boundary. We have thousands of acres of property that are currently undeveloped or underdeveloped that exists within the USB that are ripe for opportunity, but we have lacked the willpower to embrace high-density development on a citywide level.
Additionally, I believe that we need to refine our definition of “affordable housing” within LFUCG. It’s not enough to build more housing, we have to build more housing that those in need of housing can realistically access. We need to understand that 80% of AMI is still not “affordable” for most folks who are in need of housing.
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:
I am deeply grateful for the legislative process that gave birth to the Preservation and Growth Management Plan. I was proud to support and participate in it.
That being said, if an additional expansion of the USB were to be proposed during my second term on Council, I would oppose it. The most recent expansion still in its infancy, with the groundwork just now being laid for development in the expansion areas. I believe it’s too soon to even begin to have discussions about an additional expansion.
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 grew up on my family’s farm and understand firsthand how vital our agricultural industries are to the success of our city and county. I support the goals outlined in our Rural Land Management Plan, continued investments in the AgTech sector, and policy safeguards to prevent any potential large scale rural solar developments from encroaching on productive farmland or polluting our soil.
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:
LexTran needs to be fast, reliable, and affordable. I’m proud to have supported the launch of the LexRide program, the funding of our micro transit pilot programs, and improvements to bus stops across the city.
The biggest strategy that I would like to see implemented to improve public transit in Lexington is the implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along our most utilized corridors—specifically Nicholasville Road. This has the potential to reduce traffic, improve street safety, and make public transit a viable transportation option for those of us who live outside of the downtown area.
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:
My top priority as a Councilmember has always been transportation infrastructure and, accordingly the implementation item I would like to see most prioritized is the creation of improved multimodal infrastructure throughout our downtown. Our residents deserve to be able to get where they’re going safely and in a timely manner—regardless of whether they’re driving, walking, cycling, or utilizing public transit.
An additional item I would like to see prioritized is the creation of additional downtown green spaces and expansion of our tree canopy. We know that policies like these aren’t just aesthetic—they improve environmental conditions and quality of life.
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:
I proudly advocated for our existing data center moratorium and have been sounding the alarm about the potential risks that data center development poses to our city. I have been outspoken in my belief that we must pass a data center policy that protects our people, our resources, and our future.
I believe that we must extend the existing moratorium data center moratorium and initiate a new ZOTA creating a separate zoning category for data centers and establishing appropriate standards for accessory uses. I will not support any policy that allows for large or hyperscale data center construction in Fayette County.
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 a strong advocate for solar energy as a means of combatting the climate crisis. During Council’s discussions on our Solar Energy ZOTA, I added language that placed stringent environmental protections for any solar energy proposal.
I support expanding our existing initiatives, like Solarize Lexington, and am actively working on more stringent policies that would create more solar on city-owned buildings, but I think that we must think bigger. I am particularly interested in requiring any new industrial development in Lexington to cover at least 40% of their rooftops with solar panels.
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 claims they want to “be a good partner to the City of Lexington,” but have consistently exploited our people, our land, and our neighborhoods. Their failure to create adequate housing for their students on their own property has led to a slew of “luxury student housing developments” coming into our downtown area and displacing neighbors.
Students deserve housing. They are, after all, Lexingtonians too. I believe that we need to initiate a Student Housing ZOTA focused on these types of developments—which are, essentially, private dormitories where occupants are required to rent by-the-bed in shared rooms—that goes beyond our existing multifamily housing zones.
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:
I grew up on my family’s farm and understand firsthand how vital it is that we protect the natural resources that we’ve been blessed with. I was proud to be a part of the legislative process that gave birth to our Preservation and Growth Management Plan, which creates a data-driven method for considering potential future expansions of our Urban Service Boundary.
This land is a major part of what makes Lexington so special and, right now, I believe one of the most pressing developmental threats to it is the potential development of data centers on it. Surrounding counties failed to adequately prepare for this looming threat and are now paying the price. I believe it is it is essential for us to protect our agricultural land by passing a data center policy that fully prohibits any data center development in our rural zones.