Revisit Infill and Redevelopment Area regulations to ensure they are compatible with Imagine Lexington and are encouraging desired development.
The first Infill & Redevelopment Committee was created in 1996, which led to the 2001 Residential I/R Study, official adoption of the defined Infill & Redevelopment Area in the 2001 Comprehensive Plan, and subsequent regulatory changes to implement the Plan. The I/R Area boundary is based on the 1934 urbanized area of Lexington and its surroundings, which was primarily developed in traditional patterns prior to the adoption of the Zoning Ordinance. The special provisions in the Zoning Ordinance for this defined area are designed to complement those historical patterns, by allowing and promoting opportunities for compatible growth in older neighborhoods.
Prior to the I/R changes, there were many concerns about inappropriate infill in some areas of town, and lack of infill opportunities in others. The changes were intended to promote development that enhances the livability of the neighborhood, add appropriate density, and promote affordable housing, all while adding value to areas of town that were previously overlooked because the primarily suburban Zoning Ordinance provisions were out of place in these neighborhoods.
Throughout the years, the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance related to infill and redevelopment have been modified to ensure they were accomplishing these goals. It is time to revisit these regulations with a context-sensitive approach to assess whether they are in line with the stated Goals and Objectives, or if they are producing undesirable development within the I/R Area.
- Update the Zoning Ordinance to reflect the Imagine Lexington’s infill policies.
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: A1c
Plan for safe, affordable and accessible housing to meet the needs of older and/or disadvantaged residents.
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: 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.
Objective: A3a
Enable existing and new neighborhoods to flourish through improved regulation, expanded opportunities for neighborhood character preservation, and public commitment to expand options for mixed-use and mixed-type housing throughout Lexington-Fayette County
Objective: A3b
Strive for positive and safe social interactions in neighborhoods, including, but not limited to, neighborhoods that are connected for pedestrians and various modes of transportation.
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.
