LEXINGTON — The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Planning Commission on Thursday approved a dense infill apartment expansion near the University of Kentucky, endorsing a plan supporters said replaces an “asphalt pond” with badly needed housing — while also advancing a suburban bank rezoning and postponing several high-profile zoning items into January.
The most substantial vote came on Anderson Midtown Apartments, a proposal to add a second three-story apartment building at 401 Woodland Ave., doubling the development from 24 to 48 units by building over part of an existing parking lot. Commissioners unanimously approved the rezoning from R-3 to R-4, along with related variances and the development plan, sending the project to the Urban County Council for final action.
Planning staff framed the project as a textbook example of infill near transit and campus, noting the site sits at the convergence of multiple bus routes and within walking distance of groceries, parks and UK facilities.
“This is exactly where we need additional density,” attorney Dick Murphy told commissioners, emphasizing that the project adds housing without demolishing an existing building and converts underused parking into residential space.
A UK freshman, Braden Stamper, spoke in favor during public comment, saying the development would benefit students who don’t own cars.
“Turning a parking lot into housing is a way better use of what limited space we have,” Stamper said.
Commissioners did raise concerns about waste management and landscaping, particularly the placement of dumpsters near sidewalks — an issue several noted has become increasingly common in tight infill projects. Staff acknowledged the problem, calling it an “unfortunate side effect” of adding density under current solid-waste rules.
Despite reservations, the commission approved four variances tied largely to existing site constraints, including reduced landscape buffers and interior green-space percentages, finding they would not harm public health or safety.
Bank rezoning moves forward in Great Acres
Later in the meeting, commissioners also unanimously approved a rezoning and development plan for Anderson Village at Great Acres, clearing the way for a single-story bank with drive-through lanes at 2788 Ruby River Drive, near Leestown Road.
The applicant revised the plan to eliminate a row of parking, removing the need for any variances — a change staff said improved compliance with zoning rules and reduced impervious surface.
Staff described the project as a transition use between existing corridor-scale commercial development and nearby residential neighborhoods, with sidewalks, transit access and additional tree canopy planned.
Major items pushed to January
Several other agenda items were postponed at the applicants’ request, including:
- A Legacy Trail LLC rezoning at 1170 Newtown Pike involving a proposed hotel and automobile service station, delayed amid unresolved questions about floodplain impacts and aquifer protection.
- A proposed text amendment to the Economic Development (ED) zoning district, which commissioners asked to revisit at committee level after months without review.
All postponements were continued to the Jan. 29 Planning Commission meeting.
The Planning Commission meets again Jan. 8 for committee sessions and Jan. 29 for its next zoning items public hearing at the LFUCG Government Center, 200 E. Main St. Meetings are open to the public.
