Comprehensive Zoning Reform Nears Final Passage
The Square commercial center in downtown Lexington. Source: Carol M. Highsmith
The Urban Growth Management Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (UGM ZOTA) receive its last vote this Thursday, June 27th at 6pm, with some changes.
The version of the UGM ZOTA that was passed last month out of the General Government and Planning (GGP) Committee allowed drive-thru businesses on arterial and collector roads in the B-1 (Neighborhood Business Zone) as a conditional use.
A conditional use means that in order for a drive-thru to be allowed in the B-1 zone, a business owner would have to seek special permission from the Board of Adjustment to allow a drive-thru on their property.
Arterial roads are large, high-traffic roadways. Examples in Lexington include Harrodsburg Road, Nicholasville Road, and Richmond Road.
Collectors are medium-traffic roads. Examples include Ashland Avenue, Euclid Avenue, and Waller Avenue.
In the UGM ZOTA, drive-thrus in the B-1 Zone are strictly prohibited on local streets.
In June 11th’s Council Work Session, Councilmember Liz Sheehan moved to amend the UGM ZOTA to outright ban drive-thrus on collector roads in the B-1 Zone, with the stated goal of ensuring neighborhood businesses do not put pedestrians and bicyclists in unsafe conflicts with cars. The amendment passed 12-2, with Councilmembers Chuck Ellinger and Preston Worley voting no.
The UGM ZOTA, as amended, was passed out of Work Session unanimously. It will receive its final vote of approval at June 27th’s Council Meeting at 6pm in Council Chambers. You can attend in-person or watch live on LexTV.
