Develop growth benchmarks and determine best measurable methods to monitor them and report progress on a regular basis.
Plans are only as good as their ability to gauge measurable results in a timely fashion. To know if a plan is reaching desired outcomes, it is imperative to track the successes and failures so future adjustments can be made and successes replicated. Imagine Lexington is crafted as a policy-based plan with very specific goals in mind. Basic metrics are included as a component of this comprehensive plan, but should be supplemented by additional benchmarks identified in the process discussed in Accountability Policy #1.
Also, a more robust effort to further develop a comprehensive set of measurables should be undertaken in the coming years, finding more detailed ways to track progress. This will be beneficial for the Planning Commission and staff in determining the realization of the stated Goals & Objectives; just as importantly, it will be an accountability measure, allowing the general public to follow along, be informed, and take ownership of their plan. Progress should be reported on a regular basis on the Imagine Lexington website so that all interested parties can follow along with the latest data.
Action Item(s)
- Develop a series of Comprehensive Plan metrics.
Goals and Objectives
GOAL A2: Support infill and redevelopment throughout the Urban Service Area as a strategic component of growth.
Objective: A2a
Identify areas of opportunity for infill, redevelopment, adaptive reuse, and mixed-use development.
Objective: A2c
Incorporate adequate greenspace and open space into all development projects, which serve the needs of the intended population.
Objective: A2d
Implement innovative programs, such as the public infrastructure fund and land bank programs, to facilitate sustainable development, including, but not limited to, housing, affordable at all income levels, and commercial and economic activity.
GOAL B1: Continue to implement the Consent Decree, including the capacity assurance program, as directed by the Environmental Protection Agency.
There are no objectives related to this policy that further this particular goal.
GOAL B2: Reduce Lexington-Fayette County’s carbon footprint.
Objective: B2a
Continue programs and initiatives to improve energy efficiency.
Objective: B2c
Provide incentives for green building, sustainable development, and transit-oriented development with civic agencies leading by example through the use of green building standards.
Objective: B2d
Prioritize multi-modal options that de-emphasize single-occupancy vehicle dependence.
GOAL C1: Support and showcase local assets to further the creation of a variety of jobs.
Objective: C1a
Strengthen efforts to develop a variety of job opportunities that lead to prosperity for all.
Objective: C1b
Strengthen regulations and policies that propel the agricultural economy, including, but not limited to, local food production and distribution, agritourism and the equine industry that showcase Lexington-Fayette County as the Horse Capital of the World.
Objective: C1d
Encourage development that promotes and enhances tourism.
Objective: C1e
Encourage developers of government-funded or subsidized projects to employ residents in the vicinity.
GOAL C2: Attract the world’s finest jobs, encourage an entrepreneurial spirit, and enhance our ability to recruit and retain a talented, creative workforce by establishing opportunities that embrace diversity with inclusion in our community.
Objective: C2a
Prioritize the success and growth of strategically-targeted employment sectors (healthcare, education, high-tech, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, agritourism, and the like), and enable infill and redevelopment that creates jobs where people live.
Objective: C2b
Improve opportunities for small business development and workers who rely on personal technology.
Objective: C2c
Review and improve regulations and policies that attract and retain high paying jobs through close collaboration with agencies that focus on economic development.
Objective: C2d
Provide entertainment and other quality of life opportunities that attract young, and culturally diverse professionals, and a work force of all ages and talents to Lexington.
GOAL C3: Identify, provide and sustain readily available publicly-controlled economic development land to meet Fayette County’s need for jobs, amending the Comprehensive Plan as necessary to ensure it remains an up-to-date and workable framework for economic development.
There are no objectives related to this policy that further this particular goal.
GOAL D1: Work to achieve an effective and comprehensive transportation system.
Objective: D1a
Support the Complete Streets concept, prioritizing a pedestrian-first design that also accommodates the needs of bicycle, transit and other vehicles.
Objective: D1b
Develop a viable network of accessible transportation alternatives for residents and commuters, which may include the use of mass transit, bicycles, walkways, ridesharing, greenways and other strategies.
Objective: D1c
Concentrate efforts to enhance mass transit along our corridors in order to facilitate better service for our growing population, as well as efficiencies in our transit system.
Objective: D1d
Improve traffic operation strategies.
GOAL D2: Support a model of development that focuses on people-first to provide accessible community facilities and services to meet the health, safety and quality of life needs of Lexington-Fayette County’s residents and visitors.
Objective: D2a
Encourage public safety and social sustainability by supporting Secured-by-Design concepts and other policies and programs for the built and natural environments of neighborhoods to help reduce opportunities for crimes.
GOAL D3: Protect and enhance the natural and cultural landscapes that give Lexington-Fayette County its unique identity and image.
Objective: D3a
Protect historic resources and archaeological sites.
Objective: D3b
Incentivize the renovation, restoration, development and maintenance of historic residential and commercial structures.
Objective: D3c
Develop incentives to retain, restore, preserve and continue use of historic site and structures, rural settlements and urban and rural neighborhoods.
GOAL D4: Promote, support, encourage and provide incentives for public art.
There are no objectives related to this policy that further this particular goal.
GOAL E1: Uphold the Urban Service Area concept.
Objective: E1a
Continue to monitor the absorption of vacant and underutilized land within the Urban Service Area.
Objective: E1b
Ensure all types of development are environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable to accommodate the future growth needs of all residents while safeguarding rural land.
Objective: E1c
Emphasize redevelopment of underutilized corridors.
Objective: E1d
Maximize development on vacant land within the Urban Service Area and promote redevelopment of underutilized land in a manner that enhances existing urban form and/or historic features.
Objective: E1e
Pursue strategies to activate large undeveloped landholdings within the Urban Service Area.
GOAL E2: Support the agricultural economy, horse farms, general agricultural farms and the rural character of the Rural Service Area.
Objective: E2a
Protect and enhance the natural, cultural, historic and environmental resources of Lexington-Fayette County's Rural Service Area and Bluegrass farmland to help promote the general agricultural brand and ensure Lexington-Fayette County remains the Horse Capital of the World.
Objective: E2b
Support the Purchase of Development Rights and private sector farmland conservation programs to protect, preserve and enhance our signature agricultural industries, historic structures, cultural landscapes, natural environments and community welfare.
GOAL E4: Protect Lexington’s invaluable rural resources and inform long-range planning for infrastructure, community facilities and economic development through the creation of a new process for determining long-term land use decisions involving the Urban Service Boundary and Rural Activity Centers.
Objective: E4a
Establish the process via a study, involving diverse stakeholders and constituents, that meets the projected needs of the agricultural and development communities, by preserving key agricultural resources from development pressures and identifying land for future urban development.
Objective: E4b
Ensure the study designates rural land for long-term preservation, identifies land for potential future urban development and specifies triggers, thresholds and timing for the addition of the identified urban land into the Urban Service Boundary, keeping infill and land use efficiency as the continued primary objectives.
Objective: E4c
Complete the study with the assistance of a consultant by July 1, 2020.
Objective: E4d
Implement the process resulting from the study as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, superseding Theme E, Goal 3 at time of adoption by the Planning Commission.
GOAL F2: Implement the 2018 Comprehensive Plan.
Objective: F2a
Establish a continually updated series of metrics to mark progress implementing the 2018 Comprehensive Plan.
Objective: F2b
Create a website to host the metrics, updating the general public on progress while providing transparency and supporting data.
GOAL F3: Increase regional planning.
There are no objectives related to this policy that further this particular goal.