Public Hearing on Zone Change Application

Council held another zone change public hearing after Council Work Session. This hearing was for property located at 5380 Athens Boonesboro Rd. and 5354 Athens Boonesboro Rd. with the purpose of changing the zone from an Interchange Service Business (B-5P) zone to a Highway Service Business (B-3) zone. This property is the current prospective site in Fayette County for the Lexington Sporting Club’s soccer stadium.

Update:

This zone change was initiated to allow for the construction of a new soccer stadium and sports complex for the Lexington Sporting Club’s (LSC) professional soccer team. Lexington Sporting Club claimed the complex would create 300 jobs and have an annual economic impact of $30million. Opposition raised concerns over light and noise pollution in an area adjacent to rural farmland.

There was also concern from members of the public, and some Councilmembers, over a “bait-and-switch” where Council would approve this zone change for LSC, but then LSC would instead move their stadium to the Brannon Crossing area of Jessamine County and leave this Athens-Boonesboro property open for a separate development. LSC maintained that they were committed to their work in Lexington and hoped this project could move forward.

After several hours of public comment and Council questions, Council did approve the zone change.

This public hearing was held on Tuesday, April 24th at 5pm in Council Chambers. You can watch the recording on LexTV.