Lexington, KY - Diverse housing options provide a city with character. Single-family homes of all types, duplexes, apartments, lofts, condominiums, garage studios and "granny flats" offer the most flexibility when it comes to making a choice of where and how to live. Pedestrian mobility, maintaining access to services, shopping, activities, work, amenities and community centers provide the independence we all strive for and the connectivity that is vital to our health and well being.
In 2008, a study was commissioned by The Lexington Urban Fayette County Government (LFUCG) Division of Planning to examine housing issues in Lexington. The committee included a 17-member steering committee comprised of representatives from land preservation, development and government with assistance from consultants Robert Charles Lesser & Co., Urban Collage, EHI Inc. and The Phares Company.
According to the report, most of Lexington's growth through 2025 will be in one- and two-person households made up of younger people who typically prefer more urban settings. It stated that Lexington's housing market showed an increased demand for affordable housing, more rental space, higher-density housing and housing in more urban settings. Furthermore, it concluded that there was enough space for more than 14,000 new homes and apartments of varying types on vacant or underused land within the current Urban Service Area, the portion of the county where development is allowed.
The study's authors maintain that even though 60 percent of Lexington residents today prefer traditional suburban development, those trends will change. A significant number of people still want suburban settings, but "they want the suburbs to be different - more pedestrian friendly and with more variety of products."
One particular housing option being brought back to life is known as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), or what we used to call "granny flats" or garage apartments. These are typically a converted or expanded garage, a basement apartment, or a newly built cottage on an existing homeowner's lot. These (ADUs) actually provide more housing flexibility on site. This dwelling could be used for an elderly parent, college student, a family member or the current homeowner, providing them extra income and, in turn, creating more affordable housing.
Lexington zoning ordinances currently prohibit this type of usage, but with housing, population and economic trends adjusting, specific proposals are now under review. It certainly appears that it would promote "aging in place," infill and redevelopment, and a sense of community. But transitioning from these large private lots to accommodate density has to be purposely spelled out. The mistakes of uncontrolled density that destroys the significance of neighborhood and community need to be avoided. If proper regulations are not in place, then the (ADUs), or "granny flats," ordinance could turn out to be a recipe for creating situations we now see in the UK student housing areas: overcrowding, too much stress on existing infrastructure, parking problems and neighborhood instability. All of these things will override
the benefits.
Currently, the Fayette County Neighborhood Council (FCNC) is working with the LFUCG planning staff to ensure specific safeguards for existing neighborhoods are put in place for the proposed ordinance. They include: