Candidate Questionnaire, Tyler Piles

Tyler Pyles

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 the best approach to addressing the need for housing growth is to plan and adapt a hybrid model for development consisting of both single and multifamily dwellings, focusing on not only total number of units, but the affordability, location, and effects they will have on the community around them. A focus on infill and redevelopment will be key, however we must ensure that the proper infrastructure is in place to support these projects, such as sanitary and storm sewers, water, electricity, and roadway accessibility as more vehicles come with more housing in one location. With the proper infrastructure in place, there are many areas within the city limits that can be redeveloped to infill with multifamily, creating many housing units at an affordable price for many groups of people such as young professionals, working families, seniors, and those who will move to Lexington in the future. The second piece of this becomes using current developable land within the urban service boundaries for smart neighborhood development. This includes things such as lot size, neighborhood layout to maximize land usage, accessibility to things around them, and future opportunities for land around these neighborhoods. However again, we must ensure the proper infrastructure, so we are not overbearing things such as sewer treatment facilities and allow growth to continue at an affordable and sustainable rate. Lastly, in order to make the overall cost of housing, especially new multifamily or single family housing more affordable, we as a city need to invest in our local trades, to support the labor needed for this long term growth and development, as the amount of skilled trade labor has become one of the most unpredictable variables in development of any kind.

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:

Should a proposal for the urban service boundaries to be expanded come up during my term, I think it would be a logical first step to look at the area in which the proposal affects, and consider how much of the proposed land is actually developable, what type of development it would be zoned for, and what the current use of the property is. Once these have been established, it would then become priority to hear from the community around the proposed area to understand how the potential development would affect their business and quality of life. We would also need to ensure that we are still using land currently inside the boundary for smart growth, and that an expansion of the boundary isn’t just an easy solution for land development. It is very important to remember the agriculture industry is essential not only to the economy of Lexington, but to the tradition and the overall branding of Lexington, and these must be defended. Ideally if there were an expansion of boundaries anywhere, it would be of land that is not currently being used for equine or agriculture purposes, would be primarily used for housing and the essential businesses needed to support families in that newly developed area. I also believe that if proposed, and approved, there should be a shared burden between the development group and the city to complete the infrastructure investments (sewer, water, roads, electricity) that would be needed to begin this development.

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:

Lexington’s farmland is essential to the city’s economy and overall heritage. Equine and agriculture industries are not only employee a large number of people and create a large economic impact, but they also help drive other essential industries that make Lexington special such as tourism, unique local dining of all varieties, and many more. I would support policies that continue to lean into that tradition and drive growth of those industries and be mindful of potential impact of development around these areas. It is important to me to support the creation and expansion of programs for youth that are interested in these areas to ensure we have generations coming up to continue the agricultural tradition.

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:

I believe land use and transportation must be planned together. We shouldn’t approve new developments and then figure out how people are going to get around afterward. I support prioritizing transit-oriented development along major corridors where infrastructure can support it, encouraging a mix of housing, businesses, services, and employment near reliable transit. That also means investing in sidewalks, safe crossings, bike connections, and pedestrian access while making sure development remains appropriate for surrounding neighborhoods. Responsible growth means planning for infrastructure before, not after, development occurs.

When it comes to public transit, we need to make the system something people can realistically depend on by improving frequency and reliability, expanding service where there is demonstrated demand, and improving bus stops and connections. I also support exploring microtransit and over the long term, regional rail or other higher capacity transit that could connect Lexington with surrounding communities. We need to think beyond the next four years and plan for what transportation should look like in 20, 30, or 50 years from now. If we know where Lexington is going to grow, we should be planning the transportation system alongside that growth.

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:

I’d prioritize the parts of the Downtown Area Master Plan that focus on infill housing, mixed-use development, and creating a more walkable and active downtown. Lexington has an opportunity to add housing and bring more people downtown without simply expanding our footprint. I would like to see vacant and underutilized properties put to productive use, with a mix of housing options and ground floor businesses and services that create activity throughout the day. The Plan also emphasizes pedestrian connectivity, public spaces, and development that is connected to transportation, which I think should happen together rather than as separate projects.

At the same time, we need to make sure downtown remains a place where people actually want to live, work, and visit. That means investing in safe sidewalks and crossings, public spaces, reliable transit, and amenities that support residents and local businesses. I also think implementation needs to include meaningful engagement with residents, businesses, and surrounding neighborhoods so that we are building downtown with the community, not simply for the community. Ultimately, my goal would be a downtown that is vibrant and economically strong while adding housing responsibly and making better use of the infrastructure and land we already have.

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 believe we need to classify major and minor data centers based on energy consumption rather than square footage. As technology advances, data centers can consume significantly more energy while operating within a smaller physical footprint, making square footage an increasingly unreliable measure of their actual impact. I also believe data center projects in Fayette County should be required to use local construction contractors and suppliers whenever those resources are available for a specific scope of work. These projects are often advertised as major economic investments, but a significant portion of that investment can go toward the technology inside the facility and temporary construction costs. Prioritizing local contractors and suppliers would help ensure that as much of that investment as possible stays here in Lexington and benefits our local economy.

We also need to better understand the potential effects data centers may have on our agricultural and equine industries, including concerns surrounding low-frequency noise and its potential impact on livestock behavior, breeding, and grazing patterns. Central Kentucky’s equine and cattle industries are a significant part of our economy and identity, so we should not move forward without adequately understanding those potential impacts. Even a relatively small disruption to the region’s annual foal crop could have broader economic consequences, affecting agriculture, tourism, hospitality, racing, and local and state tax revenues. Before approving these facilities, I believe we need thorough research, appropriate safeguards, and a clear understanding of how they could affect the industries and communities that make Lexington and Central Kentucky unique.

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’d approach renewable energy development by focusing first on the enormous amount of built space we already have. I support encouraging commercial and industrial rooftop solar, solar on parking structures and other developed sites, and making the permitting process as straightforward as possible for property owners who want to invest in renewable energy. I also think the city should lead by example by identifying opportunities for solar on municipal buildings and other public facilities where it makes financial and practical sense.

At the same time, I believe we need to be thoughtful about where renewable energy development occurs. I do not support sacrificing productive agricultural land when we have rooftops, parking areas, brownfields, landfills, and other previously developed sites that can accommodate solar. Our goal should be to expand renewable energy while protecting the agricultural land that is such an important part of Lexington and Central Kentucky. By prioritizing the built environment, we can increase clean energy production, reduce pressure on our farmland, and make better use of the infrastructure and space we already have.

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: 

I believe we can support the University of Kentucky’s growth while also protecting the character and stability of established neighborhoods. A major part of that is making sure student housing is located in areas where the infrastructure can support it and where it makes sense from a land use perspective, rather than allowing student oriented development to continually push deeper into traditional neighborhoods. I would support concentrating higher density student housing closer to campus and on campus while encouraging appropriate transitions in areas adjacent to established neighborhoods. We also need to look at the amount of private student housing being built on valuable land that could otherwise provide workforce housing or other multifamily options.

I also believe the University of Kentucky has to be part of the solution. As enrollment grows, we need to consider whether the university has sufficient on campus dorm capacity to accommodate that growth. When there aren’t enough dorm beds, more students are pushed into the private housing market, increasing pressure on surrounding neighborhoods. The city, university, neighborhood associations, and developers should work together on a long term housing strategy that expands appropriate student housing while preserving established neighborhoods and creating more opportunities for workforce and family housing. Growth should be planned, not simply reacted to after the fact.

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:

Our agricultural land supports our equine and agricultural industries, contributes to our economy and tourism, and provides a natural boundary that helps prevent unchecked outward development. Once productive farmland is developed, we cannot get it back. I believe we should prioritize responsible growth within the Urban Service Area and make better use of existing infrastructure and underutilized land before looking to expand development into our rural areas, as well as thoughtful consideration of expansion and considering expansion where it makes sense.

In addition to the PDR program, I support policies that encourage infill and redevelopment within the Urban Service Area. I also believe we should continue looking for ways to make agricultural land economically viable for the people who own and work it, including supporting agricultural businesses and responsible agricultural uses. Protecting the Rural Area should not mean simply putting land behind a line on a map, it should mean creating a long term strategy that makes preserving that land a practical and sustainable choice for future generations.