Planning Commission Introduction
August 21, 2025
Today’s Planning Commission Meeting
1 2 3
Welcome the Planning Commission to the planning process.
Share our analysis and engagement so far, and provide a preview of what’s to come next.
Discuss your priorities for downtown and for this process.
Project Team
The City of Lexington (LFUCG) has commissioned the Downtown Area Master Plan, and will be leading the planning effort with a team of urban planning, design, economic, and transportation consultants.
Urban Planning and Community Engagement
About the Process
What we are Doing & When
The Downtown Area Master Plan
Through this plan, we will work with residents, businesses, students, and visitors to continue making downtown the heart of the Bluegrass. Through an extensive local outreach process that includes community events, online surveys, and in-person activities, we will plan together to establish an actionable vision and strategies for Downtown Lexington.
Plan Outcomes
We will plan together to accomplish the following:
Establish a community-supported boundary for Downtown Lexington.
A Housing and Market Conditions Analysis Report that evaluates demand, development potential, and strategies for affordability and growth.
Recommendations for updated Zoning Regulations.
Mobility and Connectivity improvements to make downtown a more walkable and bikeable place.
Recommendations for opportunities for funding, including both private and governmental sources.
An actionable implementation plan with defined roles, timelines, funding opportunities, and performance metrics to guide execution.
Project Schedule
The Lexington Downtown Area Master Plan’s yearlong process will take place through six (6) task phases.
Task 0 - Project Startup and Coordination
Task 1 - Existing Conditions Analysis
Task 2 - Housing and Market Analysis
Task 3 - Public Engagement
Advisory Committee Meetings
Stakeholder Interviews
Targeted Neighborhood Engagement
Community Meetings
Online Engagement
Nontraditional and Creative Engagement
Task 4 - Plan Development
Task 5 - Draft Report
Task 6 - Deliverables
Analysis and Engagement
What We’ve Heard and What’s to Come
Engagement Strategy
Community engagement is the foundation of a good planning process. We will use a variety of strategies to reach different groups and perspectives throughout the Master Plan Process.
Three Community Workshops
Targeted Neighborhood Engagement
Stakeholder Interviews (Aug. 10-12)
And Creative Engagement
Led by LFUCG, guided by the Advisory Committee
July 4th Weekend Soft Launch
500+ Online Responses
Approx. 315 people participated in our activity
1,600 beads were counted!
The planning team engaged the Lexington Community for the first time at the Fourth of July Festival & Market.
What We Learned on the 4th of July
Using up to 5 beads, tell us what types of things you’d like to see more of in Downtown Lexington.
What is something you love about downtown?
Walkability
Restaurants & Bars
Events
What is something you would like to change or improve about downtown?
Parking
More events
Better connectivity
More parks and open spaces
The planning team facilitated one-hour roundtable discussions with 100+ Lexington stakeholders representing a wide range of downtown interests, including:
Food and Beverage Employees/Owners
Transportation
Specialists
Places of Worship, Nonprofits, Social Services
Downtown
Retailers
Developers, Realtors, Property Owners
Public & Education Institutions
LFUCG
Arts and Culture
Neighborhoods
What’s Next: Plan Alignment
We will be doing a review of neighborhood, district, and community plans completed within the last 20 years, and of development plans submitted to the Division of Planning within the last 5 years. The plans include:
Pre 2005: Cursory Review
> 1976 – A Downtown for People (AIA RUDAT)
> 1977 – Lexington Downtown Development Commission Goals and Recommendations
> 1978 – Lexington Cultural Center & Museum Master Plan
> 1982 – Downtown Tree Planting Master Plan
> 1983 – Downtown Development Strategy
> 1991 – Aylesford-East University Small Area Plan
> 1996 – Downtown Streetscape Master Plan
> 2000 – Downtown Revitalization Initiative
> 2000 – Design Guidelines for the Courthouse Area
> 2002 – Newton Pike Extension Corridor Plan
2005 – 2025: Plan to Review
> 2007 – Downtown Lexington Master Plan
> 2008 – Limestone - Nicholasville Road Corridor SAP
> 2009 – South Nicholasville Road Small Area Plan
> 2009 - Downtown Streetscape Master Plan
> 2009 – East End Small Area Plan
> 2009 - LFUCG Housing Market Study
> 2009 – Non-Residential Infill Study
> 2009 – Lexington Central Sector Small Area Plan
> 2009 – Red Mile Development Plan
> 2010 – BC&TC Newtown Pike Campus Master Plan
> 2011 – North Limestone Sustainability Plan
> 2012 – UK Campus Plan Update: Analysis Findings
> 2014 – Fourth Street Zoning Study
> 2019 – Engineering Manuals Permitting Packet For New Development and Redevelopment
> 2020 – Public Engagement Toolkit
Discussion
Discussion
Topics to Discuss:
> What is the boundary of downtown? Tell us what you consider downtown.
> What is something you love about downtown?
> What types of things you’d like to see more of in Downtown Lexington?
> What opportunities for downtown should we explore as part of this process?
> How is downtown perceived by the Lexington community?
What Do You Consider Downtown?
Next Steps: What’s Ahead
The Consultant Team will continue engaging with the Lexington community in preparation for a Community Meeting on October 8, 2025. Additionally, we will focus on conducting an existing conditions analysis.
Community Meeting 1: October 8, 2025
Finalize Plan Alignment and Review
Continue to engage neighborhoods at events
Continue updating the project website Conduct Existing Conditions Analysis