Residents withdraw opposition to Lexington's largest housing development
During its meeting on Monday, the Lexington City Council approved a conditional zoning request for a 130-acre housing complex off of Fairview Drive. It is the largest housing development ever approved within the city limits.
Following a public hearing, the city council voted 5 to 3 to approve the request from MagnaGray, LLC to build up to 375 single-family homes. The 130 acres are located on undeveloped property bounded by Fairview Drive south of Highgate Lane, the Lexington
Country Club golf course, Country Club Drive and Plaza Parkway shopping center. Lexington City Council members Matt Welborn, Tommy Black and Garrett Holloway opposed the motion.
Several of them stated although a traffic impact study does not show a significant increase in traffic, they were still concerned about the impact it would have on residents in the future.
Holloway said although he recognizes there is a need for more housing, he is concerned development is happening too quickly. “As we continue to grow, we need a metric to measure that it doesn’t outpace our constituents… I know we can’t please everyone, but I do want to make sure those who are impacted are comfortable,” said Holloway.
Prior to the public hearing, there were several residents who were opposed to the development, but lawyers representing the homeowners stated they withdrew their objections after the developer recently agreed to several new conditions to lessen the impact to the area.
Rita Caldwell said during the public hearing that she doesn’t have a problem with the project, except that there are a lot of people who need more affordable housing in Lexington.
“There are people who are homeless,” said Caldwell. “There is a three year waiting list for Section 8, and we need more housing that people can afford.”
According to the developer, the price point of the single-family homes in this housing complex would start at approximately $350,000.
Tom Terrell, a lawyer representing MagnaGray, LLC, said the developer has worked for several months to address the concerns of nearby residents, and adjusted their plans to come to an amicable agreement with the community.
“We have worked hard with neighbors to come together, and it takes time and willingness,” said Terrell. “This is a great opportunity to build homes for people who want to come here to live, shop and spend money.”
As part of the conditional zoning, the developers agreed to create left and right turn lanes onto a newly constructed road which will connect Fairview Drive to a bypass road off of Plaza Parkway. Also, that no traffic will go through the existing neighborhood on Highgate Lane.
The developer also agrees to close a portion of Kensington Drive off of Country Club drive, not allowing public access to the property. The project will be developed in phases and is estimated to take 3 to 4 years to complete.
