LEXINGTON — The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Planning Commission unanimously approved a revised 50-lot subdivision along Paris Pike on Thursday, following scrutiny over a redesigned traffic access point, while granting a one-month postponement for a proposed senior living development due to unresolved design and density issues.
The primary action item was Quintana Estates (PLN-FRP-25-00032), a residential subdivision at 2400 and 2450 Paris Pike. Final record plats typically bypass full commission review, but planning staff referred this one due to “significant changes” from the approved preliminary plan, particularly the entrance onto Paris Pike.
Planning staffer Cheryl Gallt explained during the meeting that the original right-in, right-out access was replaced with a new configuration including a left-turn lane for inbound traffic and dedicated lanes for outbound left and right turns. “Typically final record plats don’t come in front of you,” Gallt told commissioners, “but because there were significant changes from what was previously approved on the preliminary subdivision plan, we felt like we needed to bring this to the Planning Commission for their review.”
The plan creates 50 buildable residential lots and eight HOA lots on the north side of Paris Pike. Staff recommended approval with revised conditions, including sign-offs from engineering, traffic, landscaping, addressing, urban forestry, bike and pedestrian planning, open space, utilities, water quality, the U.S. Postal Service, and parks and recreation. Additional notes addressed pedestrian paths, drainage easements, and cross-section corrections (e.g., removing an inaccurate reference to parking on Paris Pike).
Commissioners questioned traffic safety and flow along the corridor. Commissioner Frank Penn expressed concerns about the median’s width for vehicles waiting to turn left out of the subdivision. “Most all of us that come out on Paris Pike pull up in the median and wait until we make that left-hand turn,” Penn said, noting it might not accommodate stacked vehicles safely. Project representative Rory Kaley of EA Partners responded that the state-approved design addressed safety issues with the prior plan and that they agreed to the revised conditions.
No public comments were made. The commission voted unanimously to approve the plan with staff’s revised conditions.
Earlier, commissioners unanimously approved a postponement for the Margaret C. Cammock (W.E. Savage) property development (PLN-MJDP-25-00067) at 4630 Old Schoolhouse Lane. The proposal includes a senior living facility, 10 single-family homes, and one HOA lot, but staff highlighted unresolved issues, including environmental protections (e.g., alluvial soils and steep slopes), traffic calming measures, density changes, land use transitions, vehicular use areas, and stormwater management. The applicant requested the delay via email, moving the item to the January 15, 2026, meeting.
The meeting also included the annual report from the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program. Program director Beth Overman highlighted progress in farmland preservation, noting the program became a certified entity with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in the past year. This allowed them to close 16 conservation easements (adding 1,075 acres, for a total of 33,333 acres conserved), compared to just one the previous year, clearing a backlog.
Overman also detailed the new Small Farm Program, adopted by the council in early 2025, which expands eligibility to active farms of 10 to 19.99 acres (PDR requires 20+ acres). The inaugural cycle in April drew 37 applications, with 14 qualifying after checks for active farming, zoning, and mortgage subordination. Challenges included national banks’ reluctance to subordinate mortgages, but Overman expressed optimism about ongoing outreach. Commissioner Penn emphasized the program’s role in adapting to Fayette County’s shifting agriculture, from tobacco to horticulture and small-scale operations. (Accuracy note: The transcript confirms 37 applications, 14 qualifiers, and Penn’s comments on agricultural changes; Overman noted potential for conserving up to ~10,000 acres if all eligible small farms participate, based on GIS data showing over 1,050 such tracts.)
The commission also approved the October 22, 2025, minutes and a release of performance bonds/letters of credit, with no other postponements or withdrawals.
The Planning Commission met at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 11 in the Government Center Council Chambers, 200 E. Main St. Upcoming meetings include: Technical Committee (Dec. 17, 2025, 8:30 a.m., Phoenix Building); Zoning Items Public Hearing (Dec. 18, 2025, 1:30 p.m., Government Center); Subdivision Committee and Zoning Committee (Jan. 8, 2026, Phoenix Building); and Subdivision Items Public Hearing (Jan. 15, 2026, 1:30 p.m., Government Center).
