The Lexington City Council has taken another step toward the expansion of the urban service boundary. It came Tuesday afternoon after taking public comment from more than 20 people, many asking for the development of a specific process before any expansion. That included Judith Humble with the Bluegrass Climate Action Team.
“We know that outward growth will inevitably make a dramatic increase in our emissions at a time when we need to be moving in the other direction. It’s time we started work on maintaining a livable climate,” said Humble.
Longtime realtor Bill Justice talked about people coming to Fayette County and buying horses, horse farms, and office buildings because of the equine agricultural theme of the area.
Ray Daniels with the organization, Lexington for Everyone, thanked the Council for addressing all types of housing and job needs. Daniels said the city couldn’t wait for several years for more growth process to be implemented.
Several attempts were made to amend the previously supported expansion of between 27 hundred and 5000 acres. The amendments focused on lowering the size of the expansion.
Sixth District Council Member Denise Gray was emotional while speaking against that reduction.
“It’s about ensuring that all Lexingtonians can afford to live here, that we have the acreage here in Lexington for them to make Lexington their home. This is not about the present. This is about the future of Lexington,” said Gray.
In the end, Council voted to stay with a plan calling for expansion between 27 hundred and 5000 acres. A final vote on the Comprehensive Plan is expected Thursday night.
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