Once home to star stallion, Overbrook Farm moves to develop homes, apartments

The W.T. Young family wants to put 85 single-family homes, 10 three-story apartment buildings and 16 townhomes on 55 acres of what is now Overbrook Farm on Armstrong Mill Road.

Nick Nicholson, a lawyer who represents the Young family, said the 55 acres at 2451 and 2525 Armstrong Mill is only a small portion of the entire Overbrook Farm, which is more than 850 acres. The land that will be developed is L-shaped and across Armstrong Mill from the main farm. It’s been used as pasture area for livestock.

Overbrook was once home to legendary stallion Storm Cat, who sired 108 graded stakes winners. Storm Cat died in 2013.

“This is land that has been in the urban service area and is not part of the expansion area,” Nicholson said. In 1996, other parts of Overbrook Farm were brought inside the city’s growth boundary. That land is referred to as expansion area land.

In addition to the 85 lots for single-family homes, 16 townhomes and 240 apartments, the proposal also includes a clubhouse and pool. The Youngs have applied for a zone change for approximately 20 acres from agricultural rural to high-density apartment. In addition, it has applied to change the zoning of about 33 acres from agricultural rural to planned neighborhood residential. A zone change hearing before the Urban County Planning Commission is set for March 22.

Nicholson said the Young family will widen parts of Armstrong Mill in that area and add a shared use trail.

“With the improvements to Armstrong Mill, we do not foresee any negative traffic impacts for the area,” Nicholson said.

The comprehensive plan, which guides development, also encourages density and housing choice, he said.

“This is exactly what our comprehensive plan calls for, development on vacant land inside the urban service area,” Nicholson said.

Nicholson said he will discuss the proposed plans with the Hartland Homeowners Association next week. He has also reached out to other neighborhoods including Squire Oak and the Old Richmond Road association.

Cyndi Allen, who lives in the Hartland neighborhood, grew up on Delong Road.

“I am adamantly opposed to it,” Allen said. The additional traffic will cause headaches on an already narrow Armstrong Mill. But Allen said the rural landscape is what makes Lexington and Fayette County unique. “Once you develop this land, that’s not something that you can ever bring back.”

David Lowe, president of Squire Oak neighborhood association, which borders the proposed development said neighbors are still trying to gather more information about the project. Squire Oak includes roughly 200 homes.

“We are in the process of gathering feedback from the community,” Lowe said. “We are looking forward to more dialogue. Mr. Nicholson has been proactive in reaching out to us. I think everyone involved wants what’s best for the community.”

Dr. John Saunders has lived on the corner of DeLong and Armstrong Mill for 30 years.

“They have been excellent neighbors all these years,” Saunders said. Still, he’s opposed to the development. There is a small creek that runs through the 55 acres that also runs across his land. During downpours, it floods. Moreover, there is a pump station between his property and the proposed development.

“It’s overflowed several times over the years,” Saunders said.

This story was originally published February 15, 2018 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Once home to star stallion, Overbrook Farm moves to develop homes, apartments."