Lexington Approves Significant Affordable Housing Project Despite Community Concerns

Lexington officials have approved a significant affordable housing project aimed at addressing the growing housing crisis in the area. The Urban County Planning Commission unanimously voted on Thursday to allow for the construction of a new subdivision on the former site of Transylvania University’s baseball field, located off North Broadway.

The proposed development will encompass a total of 26 homes, 29 townhomes, three apartment buildings, and one senior living facility, all situated in the Radcliffe-Marlboro area. This project, spearheaded by a consortium of affordable housing providers in partnership with local banks, aims to provide 179 apartment units. The development will occupy 12 acres at the sites of 475 and 495 Haggard Lane and 450 Radcliffe Road.

The consensus among the commissioners came after a public hearing lasting over two hours, where numerous residents voiced concerns over increased traffic and existing stormwater issues in the Radcliffe-Marlboro neighborhood. Despite these objections, the commission determined that the project aligns with the city’s comprehensive plan, which emphasizes the creation of various types of housing, particularly for residents earning 80% or less of the median income in Lexington — approximately $76,150 for a family of four.

A banking consortium, including Central Bank, Community Trust Bank, Republic Bank and Trust, Stock Yards Bank, and Traditional Bank, has collectively allocated $2.8 million for the purchase of the property. Developers AU Associates, Habitat for Humanity, Urban League of Lexington, and Winterwood are also collaborating on the project with a focus on affordability.

Additionally, the Kentucky General Assembly has provided $10 million to fund infrastructure improvements, such as road construction and sewer projects. Jon Woodall, a lawyer representing the developers, underscored the uniqueness of this initiative, which merges private and nonprofit efforts to meet essential housing needs. “This project does all of that,” he stated.

Despite the planning commission’s approval, many community members articulated their frustration and concern regarding the anticipated influx of residents and potential aggravation of already problematic flooding and traffic congestion. Some residents described severe issues with flooding in their homes and significant traffic delays during peak hours.

Opponents argued that the project should have been limited to single-family homes to minimize disruption in the neighborhood. “Our input has been disregarded,” one neighbor expressed. Nonetheless, planning commission members acknowledged the need for affordable housing and the rarity of such development opportunities.

The approved zoning changes will now progress to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council for final consideration, with a vote yet to be scheduled. Proponents of the project emphasize that it will significantly increase the availability of affordable housing options in a market where it has become increasingly hard to find affordable homes.