Lexington Faces Political Divide Over Land Development and Rural Preservation Ahead of Council Elections

Lexington, Kentucky is currently facing sharp political divides as the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council gears up for elections centered around the contentious issue of land development versus rural preservation. The council, which is non-partisan, is seeing candidates align with either the development or preservation agenda, largely in the wake of last year’s decision to expand the city’s Urban Service Boundary by 2,800 acres.

The Urban Service Boundary expansion raised alarms regarding housing availability and affordability, with critics pointing out the rushed process that lacked data and did not include requirements for affordable housing. The push for expansion was heavily influenced by the group Lexington For Everyone, which has not disclosed its donors but is associated with realtors, housing advocates, and developers. Candidates endorsed by this group include Shayla Lynch in District 2 and Liz Sheehan in District 5, both of whom voted in favor of the expansion. The organization’s spokesperson described these endorsements as support for “balanced land use policies that benefit all of Lexington.”

In opposition, a newly formed group called Protect Lex has emerged, endorsing candidates across five of the six contested council races. Their endorsed candidates include Tyler Morton in District 1, Emma Curtis in District 4, Meredith Price in District 5, Heather Hadi in District 7, and Hil Boone in District 12. Notably, Morton, Curtis, and Price are challenging members who supported the expansion. While Protect Lex has been active in campaigning against the expansion decisions, they have not targeted Lynch’s seat in District 2.

Protect Lex has taken a more aggressive approach by running negative ads against Sheehan and another council member, claiming that the expansion could incur costs of up to $570 million. Some of these expenses, they argue, will impact developers. The ads have raised concerns among residents regarding the independence and motivations behind such political action, given that Protect Lex is substantially funded by the Goodman family, prominent figures in the agricultural community that benefits from land preservation.

As the council elections approach, the divide over land use and housing affordability continues to evoke strong sentiments among the electorate. Advocates for preservation believe that the expansion threatens the character and heritage of Lexington, particularly the equestrian culture that defines much of its identity. Meanwhile, supporters of development argue it is essential to address the growing housing crisis.

The current political landscape poses critical questions for voters: should they prioritize preservation of rural land or support development efforts aimed at alleviating housing shortages? With considerable financial backing for candidates on both sides, the outcome of these elections could reshape the future of Lexington’s urban and rural landscapes.