Large apartment complex, new Habitat for Humanity development get green light

Beth Musgrave
·2 min read

Two new housing developments in Lexington were given initial approval on Thursday.

The Urban County Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a zone change from a single-family residential zone to a dense residential zone for seven, three-story apartments at 2156, 2176 and 2184 Liberty Road. The plans include 168 units with 203 parking spaces.

Red Draw Development LLC, the developers, also plans to put a club house and pool on the 3-acre property near the intersection of Fortune Drive. Craig Turner is one of the principals of Red Draw Development.

There will be a primary entrance on Liberty Road and a secondary entrance on Paradise Lane for emergency vehicle access. There will be one and two-bedroom units.

The developers will have to put sewer lines on the property. The property has been used in the past for construction debris.

City planners recommended approval of the zone change.

Some neighbors opposed the zone change because Liberty Road, a popular cut-through, already has traffic back ups, some told the planning commission on Thursday.

City officials said there are plans for improvements to Liberty Road in coming years.

Affordable housing on Seventh Street

The planning commission also gave initial approval Thursday for a zone change by Habitat for Humanity for less than one acre from a business zone to a residential zone at 220, 224, 226 and 228 E. Seventh Street and 628 Maple Street. Plans call for seven, two-story townhomes.

Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit, helps low-income or other disadvantaged people buy homes.

The front of the homes will be orientated to Maple Street. People will access the homes from an alley behind the properties.

Thomas Martin, a senior planner, said Habitat for Humanity has built similar townhouses in other parts of the city.

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council must give final approval to both zone changes. The council can approve, modify or deny the zone change. A date for the council to hear the zone changes has not been set.