Purchase of Development Rights
Purchase of Development Rights, or PDR as it is more commonly known, is Kentucky's first Agricultural Conservation Easement program facilitated by a local government.
Through PDR, the Rural Land Management Board purchases farm owners’ development rights (their right to ever develop the farm commercially), thereby preserving it as farmland forever.
This program is important to Lexington and Fayette County because of the area's booming equine, cattle and tourism industry, which is all fueled by the area farmland's beauty and high-quality soils.
Apply to PDR through Jan. 6, 2023
The annual PDR application cycle is open, and we hope all eligible farm owners will apply. Read this info sheet to learn more about PDR, then complete this application if you wish to apply. Applications may be submitted to PDR Director Beth Overman at eoverman@lexingtonky.gov or by mail to the address provided on the application. We also ask that you review the following documents before applying, as well as the overview of the USDA-NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program that is utilized for funding:
Sample deed of easement template
Sample lease subordination agreement
Sample mortgage subordination agreement
How many farms are in PDR?
There are 285 farms permanently protected by PDR, totaling nearly 31,066 acres, with 1,662 acres under contract.
How is PDR governed?
The Rural Land Management Board governs PDR. The members are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the Urban County Council.
The members use Ordinance 4-2000 as their guide.
2023 meeting schedule
All meetings are at 3 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month via Zoom unless otherwise noted.
Jan. 25 – agenda
Feb. 22 – agenda
March 22
April 26
May 24
June 28
July 26
Aug. 23
Sept. 27
Oct. 25
Dec. 6
Previous years' minutes (The previous years' minutes are stored on a Google drive, arranged by year.)
How do I add housing or infrastructure to my PDR farm?
The PDR easement requires landowners to obtain the permission of the Rural Land Management Board before adding new housing or expanding existing housing, and before adding paving. If your farm was eased in 2007 or after, it likely includes an impervious surface limit, so adding farm infrastructure such as barns, equipment sheds, etc., also requires approval. We want your farm to flourish and will guide you through this process. The first step is to complete the Housing and Infrastructure Request Form available via the link below and submit it via email to the PDR Director, Beth Overman, at eoverman@lexingtonky.gov. If all required documents are submitted by the deadline shown in the chart below, the request should be considered at the next regularly scheduled board meeting. Ms. Overman will review the submitted application and contact you prior to that meeting.
2023 Meeting Date – Application Deadline
Jan. 25 – Deadline Jan. 11
Feb. 22 – Deadline Feb. 8
March 22 – Deadline March 8
April 26 – Deadline April 12
May 24 – Deadline May 10
June 28 – Deadline June 14
July 26 – Deadline July 12
Aug. 23 – Deadline Aug. 9
Sept. 27 – Deadline Sept. 13
Oct. 25 – Deadline Oct. 11
Dec. 6 – Deadline Nov. 17