Lexington leaders want to hear from you about housing code enforcement reform
Lexington is looking at revamping city code enforcement after multiple task forces recommended changes.
Two Lexington council members are hosting public forums in the next month to gather input from the public about their experiences with code enforcement.
“We aim to create comprehensive policies, to bring clarity, and eliminate harmful code enforcement practices. To bring change, we need the input of our fellow Lexingtonians who have had personal contact with the division of code enforcement,” said Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilwoman Denise Gray.
Gray is hosting the forums with Councilwoman Shayla Lynch.
The public input sessions will be held at the following locations:
- Nov. 9 from 6-7 p.m., The Warehouse, 1126 Russel Cave Road
- Nov. 13 from 6-7 p.m., St. Raphael Episcopal Church, 1891 Parkers Mill Road
- Nov. 15 from 7-8 p.m., Liberty Elementary School, 585 Liberty Road
- Nov. 20 from 6:30- 7:30 p.m., STEAM Academy, 1555 Georgetown Road
Lynch was co-chair of Mayor Linda Gorton’s Commission on Racial Justice and Equality subcommittee on housing and gentrification. The commission’s October 2020 recommendations included an overhaul and review of code enforcement policies. An earlier task force on gentrification had also recommended overhauling some code enforcement policies.
Some common complaints include lower-income homeowners being targeted by investors for code violations to make it easier for those investors to buy those houses. Others have complained some landlords wait too long to fix code violations.
The city set aside money in recent years to help low-income homeowners fix problems cited by code enforcement. In addition, the city has created a separate division for housing issues and now has a commissioner of housing advocacy and community development, both recommendations of the Racial Justice and Equality Commission.
Gray has referred issues surrounding code enforcement to a council committee for further review. The public outreach sessions are part of the effort to look at code enforcement city-wide, Gray said.
“If you have ever interacted with code enforcement in any way, we would like to hear your stories, suggestions, and concerns,” Gray said. “Your stories and input will help us understand the real challenges residents face. We are committed to working with you to ensure that our code enforcement practices are fair, effective, and beneficial for everyone in our community.”
People who can’t attend the public outreach sessions but want to give feedback can email Gray at dgray@lexingtonky.gov.
This story was originally published November 8, 2023 at 11:15 AM.
