02.08.2024

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Sunrise 7:36 a.m. | Sunset 6:08 p.m.

Balanced growth throughout the Bluegrass

Imagine Lexington 2045: Urban and rural balance

A horse standing in a field during sunset

It comes as no surprise that our beautiful Bluegrass and horses are a must-see. | Photo by @syd.uncharted

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:

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 yellow brick building boarded up in the front with posters and Timothy Johnson of the United Way of the Bluegrass standing in front of it. — A great example of a historic building receiving new life is the Palmer Building. | Photo by 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

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Events

Thursday, Feb. 8

Wine Tasting | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 12-5 p.m. | Equus Run Vineyards, 1280 Moores Mill Rd., Midway | $8-$55 | Learn all the secrets to wine tasting as you sip and stroll through this 38-acre vineyard.
Jazz at the Library | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 7-8:15 p.m. | Central Library, 140 E. Main St., Lexington | Free | Swing into this monthly jazz series with live music from the Louisville-based Todd Hildreth Group.

Friday, Feb. 9

Best Fronds Fern Life Terrarium Workshop | Friday, Feb. 9 | 5-7 p.m. | Ephemeral Florals, 615 W. Short St., Lexington | $75.48 | Galentine’s, Palentine’s, whatever you’re celebrating — bring your bestie to build a terrarium together.
Valentine’s Printmaking | Friday, Feb. 9 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Artworks at the Carver School, 522 Patterson St., Lexington | Free | Make a card with a precut stamp or design and cut your own with the linocut printmaking workshop — registration required.

Saturday, Feb. 10

Kizomba Workshops | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 1-2:50 p.m. | The Salsa Center Dance Studio, 817 Lane Allen Rd., Lexington | $20-$35 | Join Lisa Butts of CinciKiz to learn the fundamentals of the party dance style Kizomba.
Brit Taylor | Saturday, Feb. 10 | The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd., Lexington | $15-$18 | This Appalachian-raised singer-songwriter will be playing in support of her new album, “Kentucky Bluegrassed.”

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Closed

Buzzed Bull Creamery at The Summit at Fritz Farm is closed. The franchise owner said that the closure is due to a combination of high rent + slow sales. See what stores have recently opened or are coming soon to The Summit. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Number

$1.3 billion. That’s how much Toyota is spending to expand its Georgetown plant to create a new assembly line for its battery-powered electric SUV. While the number of new jobs has yet to be announced, Toyota currently employees ~9,700 Kentuckians. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Eat

Wise Bird Cider’s food truck Little Fork will be taking a break as a new team takes over. Chefs Nick Zaluski and Micah Arvin are joining the Holly Hill & Co. family of restaurants at Wallace Station + Windy Corner Market, respectively. We’ll keep you posted when it reopens.

Plan Ahead

Black Soil KY’s Lexington Vegan Week is returning Friday, April 19-Sunday, April 28, highlighting dozens of veggie-forward dishes from local restaurants. If you’re a business owner that wants to be involved, contact Black Soil KY.

Try This

Mill & Max Gallery, located inside Shambhala Meditation Center, is hosting an interactive artist’s workshop on Sunday, Feb. 11 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. “Unclenching Through Intuitive Art” will give attendees the opportunity to see the work of + learn from local artist Amanda Stiltner.

Feel Good

Do you have a local love story? Submit your memories to our local love map by Friday, Feb. 9 for a chance to be featured in the newsletter. Psst — putting your love on the map makes a nice surprise for your sweetheart.

Travel

A friendly reminder to book spring + summer vacations (they’re just around the corner). Looking for privacy? This beachfront Bahamas cottage is perfect for two. Prefer the mountains? Book this newly built Gatlinburg, TN cabin. Want beach time? Walk to St. Simons, GA’s shore from this Vrbo that’s also a treehouse.*

Outdoors

Help fund your green thumb

Applications are open for Fayette County Conservation District grant

A garden filled with rows of plants, a tractor helping to till the land, and a handwritten sign that says green beans

Want to create a community garden? FCCD can help with that. | Photo courtesy of @fayettecountyconservation

Applications are being accepted for the Fayette County Conservation District’s (FCCD) 5th annual Conservation and Education Grant.

Community members can receive up to $2,000 for local projects that encourage agricultural, conservation, and environmental initiatives around the county.

To get those creative green juices flowing, here are some examples of what funding can be used for:

Classroom supplies
Field trip or field day costs
School or community gardens
Outdoor classroom space
Trash cleanup
Invasive plant removal
Conservation camp tuition
Other projects + events will still be considered

You might recall that this is just one of the ~12 programs hosted by the FCCD. Read our feature to learn how the organization aims to bridge the gap between the local community and various state + federal programs.

The Buy

The Buy 2.08.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

The Giving Heart pillow — a cream, knitted, heart-shaped pillow that’s weighted to replicate the feeling of a real hug. It’s the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for loved ones who deserve some extra coziness and care.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Molly

From the editor

Boonedogs is doing my kind of spring cleaning. Throughout February, bottles of wine are $10. If you ask me, that’s the perfect way to wind down after a trip to Raven Run.

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