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Urban Growth Management ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT
AS LEXINGTON DEVELOPS A MASTER PLAN FOR UP TO 5,000 NEW ACRES…
…THE COMPACT, WALKABLE, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT THAT LEXINGTON HAS CALLED FOR WILL NOT HAPPEN WITH OUR EXISTING REGULATIONS. A city gets the development patterns that its land development regulations—like the Zoning Ordinance—set forth. To change the patterns, new zoning regulations are needed. Lexington's residential landscape has been predominantly characterized by a development pattern centered on vehicle-dependent single-family detached housing. This pattern has resulted in disconnected residential areas that are not walkable and do not integrate retail and job opportunities. Similarly, Lexington’s commercial landscape has been shaped by sprawling areas that heavily rely on cars, leading to decreased walkability and challenges for public transit. The existing zoning regulations in Lexington have dictated these development patterns. Without modifications, these regulations will remain misaligned with the community's aspirations for walkable, less car-dependent neighborhoods. This vision, expressed during numerous public input sessions for the Comprehensive Plan, can only be realized through substantial updates to Lexington’s zoning code. The purpose of these proposed Zoning Ordinance text amendments is to connect people to places, to jobs, and to each other through compact and thoughtfully designed development that allows for the appropriate mixing of residential and commercial uses. This is smart, sustainable growth for Lexington.
THE PROPOSED UPDATES WILL MODIFY THE FOLLOWING EXISTING ZONING REGULATIONS CATEGORIES: Residential:
Commercial:
R-2 Mixed Low Density Residential
B-1 Neighborhood Business Zone
R-4 Medium Density Residential
B-3 Corridor Business Zone
R-5 High Density Residential
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Article 9: Group Residential Projects ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
Ensure a better mix of housing types Re-legalize missing middle housing • Provisions for up to 8-plexes Create new, compact single-family housing options • Provisions for cottage clusters Incentivize affordable housing • New density bonuses in all residential categories Allow and encourage appropriate neighborhood businesses
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2045 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
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imagine@lexingtonky.gov
Limit predatory uses Create walkable commercial areas • Improve access management • Improve pedestrian experience Differentiate corridor and neighborhood business uses • Eliminating options for inappropriate neighborhood uses (gas stations, drive thrus) Allow and encourage residential
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