Council to hear controversial zone change for high-rise apartments on Maxwell in February
The Lexington council will hold a public hearing on Feb. 11 on a controversial zone change for a 10-story high-rise apartment on East Maxwell Street.
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council voted Tuesday 12 to 1 to hold a public hearing on the zone change, despite objections by the council member who represents the East Maxwell Street area. The Urban County Planning Commission voted 6-3 to turn down the zone change for the property on East Maxwell Street and Lexington Avenue at a November meeting.
The proposal by Aptitude Development LLC for a maximum 10-story building of up to 230 apartments drew strong opposition from surrounding neighborhoods. Many said the building was too tall for the mostly residential neighborhood and had too many units with not enough parking.
Planning staff had recommended approval on the condition that the maximum height of the building be kept at seven stories, which Aptitude Development said was not feasible.
Jacob Walbourn, a lawyer who represents Aptitude, asked the council for a public hearing during a Tuesday council work session. The proposed apartment complex for University of Kentucky students is one of the most controversial zone changes of the past 18 months.
But Councilman Jake Gibbs asked the council to put the planning commission’s recommendation on its agenda without a public hearing. That means council would not hear arguments for or against the zone change before taking a vote. Gibbs said there was substantial opposition to the zone change. That opposition remains.
Several council members said when either side — the developer or those opposed to the development— have asked for a public hearing, the council typically grants it.
“This is a public process and I think the public should be involved,” said Councilman Bill Farmer Jr.
Vice Mayor Steve Kay agreed but cautioned the public should not take a council member’s vote to hold a public hearing as an indication on how that member will vote on the zone change itself.
“With all due respect to Councilman Gibbs, this is the type of case the council should hear,” Kay said.
Gibbs was the only council member to vote against the public hearing. The hearing will be at 5 p.m. on Feb. 11 in the council chambers
