A Big Change Is Coming to Idle Hour

A drive-thru restaurant and a drive-thru bank have been proposed for the lot at St. Margaret Drive and Richmond Road (the site of the long defunct Coba restaurant). The plan is currently moving through the LFUCG planning process toward potential approval.

We, the IHNA board of directors, consider this plan harmful for our neighborhood.

We ask:

Do Idle Hour residents want more of this:

Two additional drive-thru businesses? (We already have 4 drive-thru restaurants)

  • Richmond Road commuters clogging up our neighborhood streets?

  • The noise and exhaust fumes of idling engines and cars crawling along drive-thru lanes near our residential buildings?

  • Gaudy lights and in-your-face advertising at one of our attractive neighborhood entrances?

The property, where the existing building will be demolished, is in the B-1 Zone (Neighborhood Business). According to Lexington’s Zoning Ordinance, businesses in the B-1 Zone should serve the neighborhoods to which they are attached:

“The intent of this zone is to accommodate neighborhood shopping facilities to serve the needs of the surrounding residential area. This zone should be located in areas of the community where services and facilities are/will be adequate to serve the anticipated population. This zone should be oriented to support and enhance a residential neighborhood.”

Currently, the plan cannot move forward, because it does not specify how the buildings proposed in it will meet the required setback from Richmond Road (no more than 20’). The property owner has applied to the Board of Adjustment for a variance, that is an exemption from the set-back rule. The case is likely to be heard by the BOA on Monday, May 13.

The LFUCG Planning Commission will make a decision about this development plan, probably in the next few months. It can approve the plan, reject it, or approve it if certain conditions are met. The Planning Commission welcomes neighborhood input.

We, the Idle Hour Neighbors Alliance, encourage residents to make their voices heard. If you object to this plan, please consider doing the following:

  • Ø Sign our petition asking the Planning Commission to reject this development plan. You can sign the petition here online. Or you can email us if you want to sign a physical copy and we will contact you to make that possible.

  • Ø Send us an email with your name, address and wish to be on our email list for updates about the developments of this case.

  • Ø Write to the Planning Commission to express your concern:

    Email (planningmailbox@lexingtonky.gov)

Letter (Planning Office, 101 E. Vine Street, Lexington, Ky. 40503)

  • Consider attending the meeting before the Planning Commission where this case is likely to be decided in May or later. We intend to present our organized objection and you can strengthen our case by being present at that meeting. We are closely watching how this case moves forward so that we are ready when it gets scheduled for a hearing. If you join our email list, we will let you know about the date of that hearing. It is likely to be confirmed on short notice.