Lexington city council members are wrestling with the best approach to streamline design standards for downtown development. The effort to establish rules for the city’s inner core stems from the demolition of a downtown block seven years ago to make way for the Centre Point development. No decisions were made during a council committee meeting Tuesday. Council member Jake Gibbs says instituting standardized rules does not mean an end to creativity. “They provide for setbacks, height, configuration of parking, which in my mind is very important," explained Gibbs. "I don’t see it as a sea of sameness. They have variation from block to block, different zones you can develop things. I think there’s a lot of room for variety, a lot of room for variation.”
Former Downtown Development Authority President Harold Tate addressed the council committee. Tate is working with a developer on a movie complex to be housed at the corner of High and Broadway. “To me the best process would be at the very beginning the developer sit down with somebody, I don’t know who it is, and say ‘these are the guidelines, this is what we’d like to do for you to create your project,” said Tate.
Former council member and developer Mike Scanlon said the proposed standards were too vague and confusing. Council member Kevin Stinnett suggested a revision of the current proposal. Vice Mayor Steve Kay said he’s optimistic that members will reach agreement. “The general sentiment on council is that we do need some kind of protection," said Kay. "The only question is how to craft the ordinance in such a way that it does not unnecessarily impede downtown development. There’s some differences of opinion on how to do that.”
Planning Department Director Chris King told committee members developers seem interested in incentives to help with parking. He stressed the aim of the standards is not to dictate architectural style. Committee Chair Jennifer Mossotti says, due to a heavy agenda, it may be the first of the year before the matter could be back before members. ?
