New Six-Story Apartment Complex Approved in Lexington

News Summary

The Lexington Urban County Planning Commission has unanimously approved the construction of a six-story apartment complex on East Maxwell Street. Initially met with concerns over design changes, developers have made adjustments to meet community standards. The project aims to provide affordable housing for University of Kentucky students, featuring 238 units while also facing some controversies regarding the demolition of existing student housing. The new complex is poised to contribute to Lexington’s growth and housing market.

Exciting New Six-Story Apartment Complex Approved in Lexington!

Lexington is buzzing with news! A brand-new, six-story apartment complex is on its way to being built on East Maxwell Street, thanks to the unanimous decision made by the Lexington Urban County Planning Commission. After making some changes to the original design, developers are finally cleared to break ground and bring a fresh living option to the area.

Development Comes after Initial Concerns

Back in December 2023, things weren’t so smooth for this project. The developers put forth a proposal that strayed pretty far from the original plan, raising eyebrows and concerns among local residents and city officials alike. As a result, the planning commission decided to postpone their decision until changes could be properly addressed.

During a meeting in December, local resident Maureen Peters voiced her concerns about the new design elements, which had initially backed away from some of the charming features initially proposed. However, upon hearing the news of the recent approval, Peters expressed a sense of optimism about what this new project will bring to the community.

Aiming for Student Housing

One of the main goals of this development is to provide affordable housing options for students at the University of Kentucky. With plans for a total of 238 units, this upcoming complex could play a vital role in meeting the demand for student accommodation in the bustling college town.

The first design version showcased large, eye-catching windows and various facades that made for an appealing exterior, along with six lovely townhomes on the Stone Street side. However, back in December, the new updates showed a lot fewer windows and excluded those inviting townhomes and the eagerly anticipated third-story balconies—all due to necessary adjustments requested by Kentucky Utilities.

Design Negotiations Lead to Approval

The developers explained that the adjustments were crucial because Kentucky Utilities required a 20-foot easement on certain sides of the project. Despite these modifications, a note on the initial development plan includes a stipulation that requires the final design to maintain “substantial compliance” to prevent any claims of “bait and switch.”

The good news is that after further reviews, many of the original design elements were brought back to life in the final plans. It seemed that the developers learned from the feedback and worked hard to reassure commission members that the project would still deliver on the vision that was originally presented. Unfortunately, some alterations, like the lovely balconies adorned with greenery, couldn’t be restored due to liability reasons.

Commission Insights and Concerns

There was a change in architects between the original and final designs, which brought about some communication hiccups regarding the design compliance. Although some members of the planning commission were intrigued by the updates, concerns lingered about whether the commission should be getting too involved in the nitty-gritty details of the developers’ projects.

Former planning commission member Graham Pohl acknowledged the improvements that made their way into the latest design, highlighting the collaboration efforts that seemed to pay off. Despite the challenges, the final design was eventually met with acceptance.

What’s Next for the Apartment Complex?

As construction gears up, it’s important to note that this new apartment complex will result in the demolition of multiple homes currently used for student housing. This decision has sparked some controversy within the community, especially given that an attempt to build a larger complex in 2019 was unsuccessful.

With an air of renewed excitement, residents are looking forward to seeing how this six-story apartment complex unfolds. Will it bring much-needed housing to students? Can it harmoniously blend into the charming street it will call home? Only time will tell. For now, Lexington is ready to embrace this fresh chapter in its growth story!

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Additional Resources

• Kentucky.com: Fayette County News
• Wikipedia: Lexington, Kentucky
• WKYT: Residents Displaced After Lexington Apartment Fire
• Google Search: Lexington apartment complex fire
• Fox 56 News: Infant’s Death Sparks Investigation at Lexington Apartment Complex
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Kentucky
• Lex18: Crews Investigating Structure Fire at Apartment Complex on Trent Blvd in Lexington
• Google News: Lexington apartment development
• WTVQ: Firefighters Fight Flames at Lexington Apartment Complex