A Lexington non-profit focusing on land-use issues is leading an effort to see a soccer complex situated somewhere besides off Newtown Pike as proposed. The Fayette Alliance along with three individuals, this week, filed a court appeal, seeking to overturn a Board of Adjustments decision as it relates to the Lexington Sporting Club proposal for 12 soccer fields and a parking lot. Fayette Alliance Director Brittany Roethemeier said approval of such a recreational facility could set a precedent for rural development.
“You know once we begin to use our most protected agricultural rural land in ways that are unrelated to agriculture that begins setting off a domino effect,” said Roethemeier
The Fayette Planning Commission was scheduled to hear a request by Lexington Sporting Club Thursday for zoning text amendments tied to the proposal which includes a 10,000-seat soccer stadium. That hearing has been postponed due to the illness of an applicant's attorney.
Roethemeier said more than 30 entities, most equine-related, have signed on to a letter objecting to the proposed location.
“These organizations are critical in stepping up because they see the direct impacts on their industry. Whether that will be enough to carry the weight, to have a more broad community conversation, I’m not sure,” said Roethemeier.
Roethemeier says the potential impact to area horse interests includes increased noise, light, and traffic as well as stormwater concerns. Vince Gabbert with the Lexington Sporting Club has said previously that his organization worked with Fasig-Tipton to try to ensure large soccer activities would not occur during significant horse sales events.
**In a sea of partisan news, WEKU is your source for public service, fact-based journalism. Monthly sustaining donors are the top source of funding for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation.
