The highest density of our residential development should be directed to our major corridors and downtown.
Given Lexington’s ever-increasing population, the community’s expressed desire to create exciting walkable places, and the goal of preserving valuable agricultural land, density is very important. However, high density development is not appropriate in every context. As stressed within the “Design” vision and policies, density should address the context of its surroundings.
Imagine Lexington intends to direct the highest density/intensity development to the major corridors and downtown area to bolster the viability of an enhanced transit service. Doing so also ensures that the bulk of the highest density residential development occurs outside of existing thriving neighborhoods. Where corridor development and thriving neighborhoods merge, transitions and step-downs should mitigate intrusion. Corridor development should also include multimodal connections to adjacent developments and neighborhoods, incorporating them into the context of the neighborhood.
Objective: A1a
Pursue incentives and regulatory approaches that encourage creativity and sustainability in housing development.
Objective: A1b
Accommodate the demand for housing in Lexington responsibly, prioritizing higher-density and mixture of housing types.
Objective: A1d
Create and implement housing incentives that strengthen the opportunities for higher-density and housing affordability.
Objective: A2a
Identify areas of opportunity for infill, redevelopment, adaptive reuse, and mixed-use development.
Objective: A2b
Respect the context and design features of areas surrounding development projects and develop design standards and guidelines to ensure compatibility with existing urban form.
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.
There are no objectives related to this policy that further this particular goal.
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.
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: 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.
