Planning
Mission
Planning's mission is to provide a vision and strategy that will allow Lexington to grow and prosper while preserving, protecting, and enhancing existing neighborhoods, downtown and the rural Bluegrass cultural landscape.
If you have a question, comment or concern, email Planning and we’ll get your issue addressed by the right person.
The offices of the Division of Planning are open to the public.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the meeting formats of our Boards and Commissions or if you would like to schedule a video-teleconference meeting with staff.
You may contact us by phone at (859) 258-3160 or through the Planning mailbox at planningmailbox@lexingtonky.gov.
Boards and Commissions
Departmental Sections
Planning Services – Implements the adopted comprehensive plan; coordinates development activities; provides staff support for the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment, including:
- Accela Citizen Portal
- Zone map amendments (zone changes)
- Development plans
- Subdivision plats
- Zoning Ordinance text amendments
- Conditional use requests
- Variance requests
Staff members of Planning Services serve as case managers for all development applications.
Long Range Planning – Creates plans for future land use, farmland preservation, conservation, and development patterns, including:
- Imagine Lexington (2018 Comprehensive Plan)
- The Placebuilder
- Lexington Sustainable Growth Study
- Small Area Plans
For more information on Long Range Planning projects and the comprehensive plan, visit the Imagine Lexington website or access other long-range plans, studies, and surveys via the Planning Resources webpage.
Transportation Planning – Responsible for all aspects of highway and transit planning, including:
- Lexington Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
- Long-range transportation planning
- Transportation Improvement Program
- Congestion management
- Bicycle and pedestrian planning
For more information about transportation planning in Lexington-Fayette County, as well as the Lexington Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, visit the MPO website.
Zoning Compliance – Issues zoning compliance permits; investigates complaints of zoning violations and undertakes enforcement actions when needed; ensures continued compliance with local zoning codes and regulations with new and existing developments.
Ordinances and regulations
- Zoning Ordinance
- Land Subdivision Regulations
- Status of regulation updates
- Other relevant documents and guidelines can be found on the Planning Resources page.
Staff
| Staff | Title | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Baillie, Hal | Planner Senior – Planning Services – Zoning | (859) 258-3184 |
| Castro, Samantha | Planner Senior – Long Range Planning | (859) 258-3179 |
| Crepps, Hannah | Planner – Transportation Planning | (859) 258-3165 |
| Crum, Daniel | Planner – Planning Services | (859) 258-3186 |
| Cunningham, Stephanie | Planner – Planning Services – Zoning Compliance | (859) 258-3885 |
| David, Joey | Planner Senior – Transportation Planning / Lexington Area MPO – Transit | (859) 258-3178 |
| Duncan, AICP, James | Director | (859) 258-3172 |
| Evilia, Chris | Manager – Transportation Planning & Lexington Area MPO | (859) 258-3167 |
| Friedmann, Valerie | Planner Senior – Long Range Planning | (859) 258-3267 |
| Gallt, Cheryl | Planner – Planning Services – New Development / Subdivision Plans | (859) 425-2208 |
| Gleason, Kenzie | Administrative Officer – Transportation Planning / Lexington Area MPO | (859) 258-3605 |
| Hu, Sam | Planner Senior – Transportation Planning / Lexington Area MPO – Congestion Management | (859) 258-3053 |
| Jennings, Meghan | Planner Senior – Zoning Compliance – BOA | (859) 258-3188 |
| Kearns, Grover S. | Planning Senior | (859) 258-3180 |
| Lay, Rachel | Staff Assistant, Senior | (859) 258-3160 |
|
Administrative Specialist – Planning Services |
(859) 258-3101 |
|
| Martin, AICP, Tom | Planner Senior – Planning Services – Development / Subdivision | (859) 258-3182 |
| Midyett Goderwis, Autumn | Administrative Officer – Planning Services | (859) 258-3187 |
| Safeek, Chai | Administrative Specialist – Long Range Planning | (859) 258-3260 |
| Schmonsky, Sylvia | Administrative Specialist Principal | (859) 258-3285 |
| Schumacher, Paula | Administrative Specialist- Planning Services | (859) 258-3160 |
| Sheehy, Bill | Administrative Specialist- Planning Services | (859) 258-3341 |
| Taylor, Christopher | Administrative Officer – Long Range Planning | (859) 258-3181 |
| Thompson, Philip Scott | Planner – Transportation Planning / Lexington Area MPO - Bicycle & Pedestrian | (859) 258-3173 |
| Wade, AICP, Traci | Manager – Planning Services | (859) 258-3183 |
| Walker, Greg | Zoning Enforcement Officer | (859) 258-3248 |
|
Manager – Long Range Planning |
(859) 258-3231 |
|
| Woods, Deborah | Administrative Specialist – Transportation Planning | (859) 258-3162 |
News
Public notification of proposed amendments to the Lexington Area MPO’s 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan
Public comment on these amendments will be accepted from July 28 – August 11.
Lexington joins Trust for Public Land plan to accelerate park equity, address needs
Lexington is joining the 10-Minute Walk® Park Equity Accelerator as an inaugural member.
Lexington Area MPO invites the community to help plan new trail connections
The goal is to link Brighton Trail to the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden trailhead.