Last year, we began a series breaking down the city’s newly adopted comprehensive plan, Imagine Lexington 2045 .
The 349-page plan focuses on long-term planning + urban growth to address the needs of Lexingtonians. Before reading on, catch up on the first four iterations:
- Building + sustaining successful neighborhoods
- Protecting the environment
- Creating jobs + prosperity
- Improving a desirable community
Now, we’re onto the last theme: Urban and rural balance. Particularly, how the city can support urban growth while also protecting + preserving our agricultural assets.
Accountability
The first pillar in mindful growth involves accountability — of both the organizers and by Lexingtonians to ensure the outlined vision for balanced growth is followed. Here are a few of the accountability policies listed in the plan:
- Modernizing zoning ordinances to reflect the comprehensive plan + creating growth benchmarks to monitor its progress
- Redesigning roadways to safely accommodate all users, including walkers, bicyclists, and transit
- Providing more public education + outreach opportunities
- Creating new offices that advance sustainability efforts, as well as racial justice + equality
- Enhancing diversity on Lexington’s boards and commissions
Stewardship
To continue being stewards of our land + resources, the plan outlines three focuses of sustainable development — economically, environmentally, and socially — including:
- Encouraging inter-county connectivity through increased regional transportation to capitalize on tourism of surrounding counties
- Identifying rural land uses that would not only enhance the economy, but create additional income-generating possibilities for local farmers
A great example of a historic building receiving new life is the Palmer Building. | Photo by Amy Wallot, LFUCG
Amy Wallot/LFUCG
Growth
As the plan states, “growth is inevitable, encouraged, and invited as it’s also an indicator of a desirable community.” — yay us. And that growth aims to be sustainable + equitable. In addition to focusing on more parks and efficient placement of stormwater and sanitary sewer systems, policies include:
- Adapting regulations to support infill and redevelopment, and enhancing those opportunities downtown
- Encouraging adaptive reuse of current buildings
- Working closely with historic preservation partners regarding historic assets
- Reviewing + providing mechanisms for affordable housing + missing middle housing