Neighborhood organization launches yard sign campaign prior to hearing
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Kroger: yard sign
As the upcoming public hearing before the Urban County Council on the proposed zone change and variances for the new Euclid Avenue Kroger grocery store approaches on Aug. 13, some concerned neighbors have formed an advocacy group “dedicated to sound geometry and reasoned discourse in civic life at the heart of Lexington.”
The organization, called Euclid League, is behind the current “No to Fort Kroger” yard-sign campaign, which can be seen in areas around the Euclid grocery store. Their website, www.euclidleague.org, has information about the proposed Euclid Kroger, renderings and a place where visitors can sign an online petition.
Euclid League member Kate Savage says the term “Fort Kroger” was coined in reference to a 300-foot-long brick wall the current design plans show being constructed at the corner of Euclid and Marquis avenues. Though the renderings show design features and windows which break up the exterior wall, Savage says if the wall was constructed, it would be about the same length as the brick wall on the Jif peanut butter factory facing Winchester Road.
Instead of renovating and expanding the current store, Kroger plans to raze the existing 38,000-square-foot structure and build a much larger outlet, which would be over 64,000 square feet. The current Kroger opened in 1980, and, aside from renovation work in 1999, has not had much updating. Kroger representatives said the intention behind the new, larger store would be to offer customers a much wider array of products and services.
In order to build a 64,000-square-foot structure, the site would need to be rezoned from B-1 to B-6P. Along with applying for a new zone change, Kroger is seeking a number of variances to the B-6P zone for the proposed structure such as allowing three exterior walls to exceed 100 feet without a change in the setback; reducing the 50-foot setback to 25 feet along Marquis Avenue; increasing the amount of space a building can cover on a lot from 35 percent to 50 percent; and reducing the setback from 50 feet to 40 feet along Euclid Avenue and in the back of the store.
Savage feels that the current designs for the the new store are not context-sensitive to the adjacent neighborhoods.
“They will be setting a new precedent in this neighborhood by getting – if they get it – a zone change to B-6P, which is a shopping center, like Fayette Mall,” Savage said.
On May 23, the Planning Commission voted to approve the request for the zone change, as well as the zoning variances. The council then had 90 days to vote on the change.
After the upcoming public hearing, which is held at 5 p.m. Aug. 13 in the council chambers, the council will vote on whether to approve of the zoning changes.