Imagine Lexington: Status Update 2019-2022

IMAGINE LEXINGTO N Status Update 2019-2022 CHRIS WOODALL, AICP, MANAGER OF LONG-RANGE PLANNING, CITY OF LEXINGTON TRACI WADE, AICP, MANAGER OF PLANNING SERVICES, CITY OF LEXINGTON

Planning Commission Work Session – 01.20.22

The 2018 Comprehensive Plan, Imagine Lexington, seeks to provide flexible yet focused planning guidance to ensure equitable development of our community’s resources and infrastructure that enhances our quality of life, and fosters regional planning and economic development. This will be accomplished while protecting the environment, promoting successful, accessible neighborhoods, and preserving the unique Bluegrass landscape that has made Lexington-Fayette County the Horse Capital of the World.

Imagine Lexington Mission Statement

Implementation Items Comprehensive Plan in Action

Imagine Lexington Action Items Action Item Breakdown After Year 3*:

26% 39% 42% in progress

complete

*Some multi-faceted tasks are both complete and in progress

Where year one’s implementation was focused on familiarizing development professionals and the community with the Placebuilder, years two and three focused on initiating the various studies and regulation changes that would bring our ordinances into alignment with the plan.

yet to begin

Public Outreach

Public Outreach - Public Meetings • First year of the Comp Plan dedicated to education and outreach • Over 40 non-required comprehensive plan-related meetings in that year • Neighborhood associations, non-profits, applicants, guest lectures, Council, Commissions, City Divisions, etc.

• Continued to meet in-person when appropriate and via virtual meetings over the past two years

Public Outreach - ImagineLexington.com • Provides community with an interactive platform to engage with the plan • Connects people with current goingson in Planning: • Projects, implementation items, and regulation changes • Public input opportunities

• Updates/development will be ongoing to increase functionality and navigation efficiency

Public Outreach – Social Media • Initiated Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts • Announcing events, Planning Commission & BOA agendas and results, and public input opportunities

Public Outreach - Mornings with Planning • Monthly webinars as a digital outreach to our community, as we are unable to attend in-person meetings • Topics: • Planning's Response to COVID-19 • Parks & Open Spaces • Urban Design • Public Engagement • Planning Trends Nationwide • Infill & Redevelopment • Automated Vehicles

• Nearly 1,000 registrants over 15 episodes

Public Outreach – ADU Conference

Over 200 registrations to date

Public Outreach - Engagement Toolkit • Offers developers guidance and tips for conducting meaningful predevelopment engagement • Empowers community members to: • Understand the development review process • Know where to find info about proposed developments • Recognize proper stages in the process to provide input

Public Outreach - Development Handbook • The Development Handbook is a revision of the extant Developer’s Handbook – last updated in 2017.

• This update includes: • Guidance/information on planning processes to meet the needs of new and experienced developers • Increased transparency and legibility for the public

Public Outreach - Demographic Infographics • Set of infographics posted on Imagine Lexington website • Provides demographic information for areas ranging from local to statewide, which will help us to better…

• Understand Our Community • Monitor Change • Measure Plan Progress • Transform Data into Knowledge • Identify Constructive Comparisons.

• Inform Policy Decisions

Public Outreach – Urban Decoder • Reduces barriers to understanding urban design issues • Clarifies and defines jargon typically used by practitioners

Public Outreach – Accela Informational Video • Provides instructions for how to use the online development tracking program • Further removes barriers to information about development occurring in Lexington

Public Outreach – Updated Zone Change Sign • Outcome of the Public Engagement Toolkit • New signs are more informative, easier to read, more noticeable, and more graphically appealing

Public Outreach – Development Snapshot • Outcome of the Public Engagement Toolkit • Sent out with all notice letters for zone changes • Includes information about the application in an easy to understand format • Includes the proposal on the back of the sheet

Public Outreach – ADU Manual • Developed by staff with printing and distribution funded by AARP • Education tool for the general public on what Accessory Dwelling Units are • Will be updated to assist people in navigating the ADU permitting process

Regulation Changes

Regulation Changes - Floor Area Ratio • Text amendment that increases standard FAR values allowed within our Zoning Ordinance • Provides more housing opportunities in Lexington • Increases the amount of units able to be built in multi-family zones • Easier to develop small infill lots • September 24, 2020: Approved by Urban County Council

Regulation Changes – Accessory Dwelling Units • Allows smaller, secondary independent housekeeping establishments located on the same lot as a principal dwelling • ADUs are independently habitable and provide the basic requirements of shelter, heating, cooking, and sanitation • Included a long public process that began in 2018 • October 28, 2021: Approved by Urban County Council

Recent Lexington ADU Example

Regulation Changes - Affordable Housing Parking • Text Amendment that supports affordable housing by reducing previous parking requirements that were a barrier to development • Instead of 0.9 parking spaces per bedroom or 1.5 spaces per unit (whichever is greater) it is now 1 space per unit.

• September 3, 2020: Approved by Urban County Council o r 0.9 parking spaces per bedroom

1.5 parking spaces per dwelling unit

1 parking space per dwelling unit

Regulation Changes - Sidewalk Width • Raising the minimum sidewalk width from 4’ to 5’-8’ depending on circumstances • Right-sizing sidewalks to ensure they are appropriate for their context • Better compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) • October 10, 2019: Approved by Urban County Council

Regulation Changes – Adaptive Reuse • Revised adaptive reuse regulations to continue to allow the preservation of historic structures, but that solves some of the longstanding issues: •

Phasing of projects and the slow construction of necessary infrastructure

•

Lack of safe facilities for pedestrian access and circulation in all projects

•

Continued expansion of project areas that do not incorporate new adaptively reused buildings

• It raised the bar for what would be considered an adaptive reuse project • Allows projects outside the I/R boundary • July 6, 2021: Approved by Urban County Council

Regulation Changes – Home Occupations • Would allow barber shops and beauty parlors as home based businesses with a Conditional Use Permit • Creates more flexibility and options for home occupations, as called for in Imagine Lexington • January 13, 2022: Recommended for approval by the Planning Commission

Regulation Changes – Stub Street Signage • Regulation change to more clearly communicate the intentions of stub streets designed for future connections • Requires developers to install a sign at the end of each stub street • January 23, 2020: Approved by Urban County Council

Regulation Changes – Notification Expansion • Outcome of the Public Engagement Toolkit • Require mailed notice to tenants, business owners, and renters, not just property owners for public hearings • Opportunity to increase transparency in our planning process and create greater collaboration • January 18, 2022: Planning & Public Safety Committee unanimously recommended a one year pilot program, with additional notice to be sent by Planning

Regulation Changes Street Patterns & Continuity •

•

Creates more street connectivity for the purpose of: •

Improving conditions for cars though better traffic distribution

•

Providing street patterns to support walkable and bikeable environments

January 18, 2022: Urban County Council moved this Subdivision Regulation Amendment to the docket for first reading •

Reduced maximum block length to 1,000 ft.

•

Removed reduction in cul-de-sac length

•

Removed ¼ mile connections in every direction

•

Included a one year delayed implementation date

Regulation Changes - Open Space • Proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to forward: • Development of well-designed neighborhoods • Equitable access to nature spaces • Flexible new standards aimed at access and functionality • Incorporation of quality, usable open spaces on private developments • Incentives for ecologically-focused design elements

• Regulation still under consideration by Planning Commission

Regulation Changes – Intents • Updating the Intents sections of the Zoning Ordinance to reflect Imagine Lexington Goals, Objectives, & Policies • Provides a structure to the zones that allows for the modernization of the zone • Can support and direct conversation regarding the appropriateness of a zone when thinking about a Zone Change • Regulation still under consideration by Planning Commission

Regulation Changes – R-2 Zoning • Proposed amendment is to help encourage missing middle housing types to provide more opportunities and a diversity of housing stock • Looks at lot size, parking, setback, and other requirements that may be barriers to developing missing middle options • Regulation is still under consideration

by Planning Commission

Regulation Changes - Parking • Proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance involving the development of parking regulations to: • Balance the needs of parking demand and supply • Creating safe, walkable, sustainable, and livable neighborhoods, workplaces, and amenities • Reduced costs for providing and maintaining parking and increased requirements for quality trees and plantings

• Regulation still under consideration by Planning Commission

Studies + Plans

Studies/Plans - Imagine Nicholasville Road • First corridor study to emerge from Imagine Lexington • Guidance for future development efforts for Nicholasville Road: • Transit-oriented development • Innovative intersection design • Enhanced bike/ped infrastructure • Bus Rapid Transit

• Project team conducted in-person and online public input opportunities with regional stakeholders • May 20, 2021: Adopted by Planning Commission

Studies/Plans - Coldstream Master Plan • Initiative led by Mayor’s Office – • LFUCG Industrial Authority • Gresham Smith hired to create plan

• Intended to spur economic development on city-owned 200 acres acquired from UK off Newtown Pike • Plan evaluates infrastructure investments that will prepare the site to: • Attract new jobs • Preserve and enhance the environment • Provide community assets and connectivity

• June 29, 2021: Presented to Budget & Finance and Economic Development Committee

Studies/Plans - Sustainable Growth Task Force • Mayor appointed task force that used a data-driven approach to: • Develop an objective, transparent, and reliable framework to inform longterm land use decisions involving the Urban Service Boundary (USB) • Identify the methods and criteria for the evaluation framework • Provide three representative land development scenarios within the USB

• December 9, 2021: Planning Commission recommended approval to Council

Studies/Plans – New Circle Road • Second corridor study to emerge from Imagine Lexington • NE New Circle Road – signalized portion from Richmond Rd. To Winchester Rd. • Corridor challenges: • Safety - lack of transit, pedestrian, and bicycle infrastructure • Heavy congestion - multitude of roadway section and design issues • Disconnected uses - land use cuts off neighborhood access and does little to serve the community

• One year study

Development Trends: 2013 vs 2018

The Placebuilder • Common language • Citizen engagement • Multi-family design • Development criteria • Policy implementation

Zone Change Evaluations 2013 Comprehensive Plan flexible

2018 Comprehensive Plan – flexible yet focused

Evaluation of Goals and Objectives

Evaluation of Goals, Objectives, and Policies Evaluation of Placebuilder criteria

No land use map

No land use map

Little detail provided in justification

More detail provided in justification Structured evaluation – place-type, development type, then zone

Total cases evaluated (2014-2018): 151 cases

Total cases evaluated (2019-2021): 48 cases

Approval rate: 86.1%

Approval rate: 83.3%

Average length of time for zone change process: 130 days (less than 5 months)

Average length of time for zone change process: 145 days (less than 5 months)

2018 Plan

2013 Plan

Zone Change Cases by Year 2014

2015

2016

23 cases 19 approved 0 disapproved 1 withdrawn 3 indefinitely postponed

27 cases 21 approved 1 disapproved 4 withdrawn 1 indefinitely postponed

41 cases 36 approved 1 disapproved 3 withdrawn 1 indefinitely postponed

2019

2020

2021

15 cases 10 approved 4 disapproved 1 withdrawn

14 cases 13 approved 0 disapproved 1 indefinitely postponed

19 cases 12 approved 0 disapproved 1 withdrawn 6 still in process

2017

34 cases 31 approved 0 disapproved 2 withdrawn 1 indefinitely postponed

2018

26 cases 23 approved 0 disapproved 2 withdrawn 1 indefinitely postponed

Implementation Progress YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 *Some multi-faceted tasks are both complete and in progress

What’s required?

• Every five years KRS 100 requires the Commission “amend or readopt the plan elements”.

• “If the goals and objectives statement is proposed to be amended” it must go before the Urban County Council.

• The elements of the plan should be “prepared with a view towards carrying out the statement of the goals and objectives”.

What does that mean?

• KRS 100 requires that Imagine Lexington be amended or readopted within five years (February 2024).

• Generally Lexington has taken two years to complete this process: • 2022: Goals & Objectives • 2023: Elements

• Plan update takes two years, leaving three years for implementation

A lot of progress…but a lot left to do • We are three years into a twenty year plan • Staff would like to continue the work of this plan • The work is time consuming, but ultimately rewarding • Already seeing the payoff

• More time implementing and less time comprehensive planning

THANK YOU CHRIS WOODALL, AICP, MANAGER OF LONG-RANGE PLANNING, CITY OF LEXINGTON TRACI WADE, AICP, MANAGER OF PLANNING SERVICES, CITY OF LEXINGTON

Planning Commission Work Session – 1.20.22

LIST OF ACTION ITEMS

IMPLEMENTATION TABLE

ACTION ITEM STATUS Complete

Also listed throughout the policies of Imagine Lexington, the following implementation items stand as short- and longterm tasks for the Planning Division once Imagine Lexington is put into action. Progress on these items will be tracked and actively updated to promote public awareness of our progress.

Yet to begin

In Progress AGENCIES

TIMELINE (NEAR/ MID/LONG/ ONGOING)

Planning

Ongoing

Inventory existing neighborhood focal points and perform gap analysis.

Planning

Mid

12

Amend Zoning Ordinance to encourage residential development within existing neighborhood serving business districts.

Planning

Ongoing

Density

2

Evaluate and amend residential zones to allow greater housing opportunities.

A-DS-8

Planning

Ongoing

A

Density

3

Perform gap analysis of existing neighborhoods to identify enhancement opportunities for new supportive uses.

D-PL-2, C-LI-7

Planning

Long

A

Equity

2

Review funding opportunities for Comprehensive Plan priorities.

C-PR-2

Planning

Mid

A

Equity

5

Work with Council to review tenant protections.

Planning

Mid

A

Equity

5

Work with Council to create a rental registration program.

Planning, Code Enforcement

Mid

A

Equity

6

Partner with Senior Services Commission to develop and implement Accessory Dwelling Unit zoning options.

Planning, Senior Services

Near

A

Equity

7

Inventory and map existing social services and healthcare facilities. D-SU-4, D-SU-5, Planning D-SU-6

Near

A

Equity

8

Partner with the Senior Services Commission to develop an age-friendly plan as part of the AARP Age-Friendly Communities Initiative.

Planning, Senior Services

Near

B

Protection

1

Coordinate with the Division of Water Quality to prioritize sewer capacity projects that will facilitate areas of expected growth.

Planning, Water Quality

Mid

B

Protection

2

Develop an inventory of Special Natural Protection Areas within the Urban Service Area.

Planning, Mid Environmental Services

THEME PILLAR

POLICY ACTION ITEM

A

Design

9

Amend Zoning Ordinance to redefine open space requirements.

A

Design

10

A

Design

A

32

OTHER APPLICABLE POLICIES B-SU-4, D-PL-4, C-LI-8

D-SU-9

CITY OF LEXINGTON - DIVISION OF PLANNING

IMPLEMENTATION TABLE CONT.

Complete

Yet to begin

In Progress

THEME PILLAR

POLICY ACTION ITEM

OTHER APPLICABLE POLICIES

AGENCIES

TIMELINE (NEAR/ MID/LONG/ ONGOING)

B

Protection

6

Review the zoning ordinance for new agritourism and ecotourism opportunities.

C-LI-1

Planning

Long

B

Protection

7

Update zoning ordinance to reflect national best practices on floodplain protections.

B

Sustainability

5

Overhaul parking standards throughout the zoning ordinance.

B

Sustainability

6

B

Sustainability

B

Planning, Mid Environmental Services Planning

Near

Implement an outreach program through employers to inform and incentivize employees to reduce single-occupancy commuting.

Planning

Near

8

Pursue STAR Community certification.

Planning

Long

Sustainability

9

Perform analysis of green building best practices and identify opportunities to implement.

Planning

Mid

B

Sustainability

11

Update the green infrastructure elements in the Engineering Manuals to reflect current best practices.

Planning, Engineering

Mid

B

Sustainability

12

Explore permitting incentives for green building design.

B-SU-7

Planning

Long

B

Restoration

1

Implement recommendations from the Urban Forestry Management Plan.

B-PR-7

Planning, Mid Environmental Services

B

Restoration

3

Work with Parks & Recreation and private organizations to facilitate the creation of a regional sports complex.

Planning, Park Mid & Recreation

C

Livability

9

Inventory and analyze existing industry and production land, identifying areas to enhance or repurpose based on market and locational factors.

Planning

Near

C

Diversity

5

Explore recommendations to promote development at specific sites within Opportunity Zones, while minimizing displacement.

Planning

Mid

C

Diversity

6

Update Zoning Ordinance regulations related to home occupations and home offices.

Planning

Mid

C

Prosperity

8

Perform analysis of existing employment opportunities and graduate supply from area institutions.

Planning

Ongoing

C

Prosperity

9

Study the efficacy of the Professional Office zone, looking for ordinance revisions aimed at reducing vacancy rate.

Planning

Ongoing

C

Prosperity

12

Create a Long Range Plan for the 250 acre Economic Development site at Coldstream.

Planning

Mid

2020 IMAGINE LEXINGTON ANNUAL REPORT

C-PR-10, A-DS-7

33

IMPLEMENTATION TABLE CONT.

Complete

Yet to begin

In Progress

OTHER APPLICABLE POLICIES

POLICY ACTION ITEM

D

Connectivity

1

Amend Subdivision Regulations street standards.

A-DS-1. A-DS-2, Planning A-DS-5, A-DS-11, A-DS-13, B-SU-1, D-CO-2, D-CO-3, D-CO-4, D-CO-5, D-CO-6

Ongoing

D

Connectivity

2

Implement Projects from the Lexington Area MPO Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan.

B-SU-1, B-RE-4, A-DS7

Planning

Ongoing

D

Placemaking

1

Establish land use and transportation design guidelines for development adjacent to Town Branch Commons.

Planning

Near

D

Placemaking

1

Perform a study to determine the economic and social impacts of Town Branch Commons.

Planning

Near

D

Placemaking

3

Amend the zoning ordinance to include placemaking elements.

Planning

Ongoing

D

Placemaking

6

Update the Expansion Area Master Plan.

Planning

Mid

D

Placemaking

7

Host workshops with development and neighborhood interests to create a collaborative pre-development process.

Planning

Near

D

Placemaking

8

Work with Council to increase staffing to develop a tactical placemaking program within the Division.

Planning

Near

D

Placemaking

10

Initiate discussions with the Public Art Commission about potential ordinance revisions to increase public art opportunities.

Planning

Mid

D

Placemaking

11

Update the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance.

Planning

Mid

D

Placemaking

12

Perform corridor studies along arterial streets that examine land use and transportation elements.

Planning

Near

D

Placemaking

13

Update the Downtown Master Plan.

Planning, Downtown Lex Partnership

Mid

D

Placemaking

14

Implement the recommendations from the Your Parks, Our Future Parks Master Plan.

C-LI-5

Planning

Mid

D

Support

1

Engage with Fayette County Public Schools in order to align priorities in site selection and design.

D-SU-2

Planning

Near

E

Accountability 1

Establish a new process for long-term land use decisions involving the Urban Service Boundary.

Planning

Near

E

Accountability 2

Update the Zoning Ordinance to reflect Imagine Lexington priorities.

Planning

Ongoing

34

D-PL-5

A-DS-1, B-SU-3

AGENCIES

TIMELINE (NEAR/ MID/LONG/ ONGOING)

THEME PILLAR

CITY OF LEXINGTON - DIVISION OF PLANNING

IMPLEMENTATION TABLE CONT. THEME PILLAR

Complete

POLICY ACTION ITEM

Yet to begin

In Progress

OTHER APPLICABLE POLICIES

AGENCIES

TIMELINE (NEAR/ MID/LONG/ ONGOING)

E

Accountability 3

Host a Placebuilder workshop and training for developers, Planning Commissioners, and any other interested parties.

Planning

Near

E

Accountability 3

Create a public outreach program for ongoing community education on Imagine Lexington and the Placebuilder.

Planning

Near

E

Accountability 4

Develop a series of Comprehensive Plan metrics.

Planning

Near

E

Accountability 6

Create a Citizen Advisory Panel.

Planning

Near

E

Stewardship

1

Update the 1990 Stone Fence Inventory.

Planning

Long

E

Stewardship

5

Conduct a Blue Sky Small Area Plan.

Planning

Long

E

Stewardship

6

Update the Zoning Ordinance provisions for Agritourism.

Planning

Long

E

Growth

1

Update the Zoning Ordinance to reflect Imagine Lexington’s infill policies.

Planning

Ongoing

E

Growth

4

Update the Adaptive Reuse provisions in the Zoning Ordinance.

Planning

Mid

E

Growth

7

Update the Zoning Ordinance to accommodate and anticipate autonomous vehicles.

Planning

Mid

E

Growth

8

Work with the Planning Commission and Council to proactively pursue government-initiated zone changes recommended by corridor studies.

Planning

Mid

E

Growth

10

Update Lexington’s Commercial Zones to include more varied uses to accommodate the shifting retail model.

Planning

Ongoing

2020 IMAGINE LEXINGTON ANNUAL REPORT

35