Lexington’s horse farms + rolling hills are very Instagrammable. Our landscape helps define our city — that’s why there are organizations to help preserve it.
Today we’re highlighting the Urban Service Boundary + the Sustainable Growth Task Force — two services that help preserve our city’s landscape + identity.
Urban Service Boundary (USB)
Before the time of hashtags + influencers — our city leaders recognized the importance of our landscape.
- The USB was created in 1958 to preserve Lexington’s agricultural assets + Bluegrass identity.
- The USB is a border that defines where in Fayette County new urban development can occur.
- The last significant expansion was 23 years ago in 1996.
- In 2017 — the city council narrowly voted 8-7 to not expand the USB.
Land Analysis Graphic by Christopher Woodall - Lexington City Gov.
The Sustainable Growth Task Force
In 2018, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) created the Sustainable Growth Task Force. The group utilizes data + research to inform us of best practices for responsible growth.
Since its inception — the task force has made 3 big accomplishments that are key for you to know —
- They’ve compiled data on how many vacant acres we have left for residential, commercial + industrial properties. They’ve also projected how much space we will need in the next 20 years.
- They’ve developed 3 scenarios for how we could possibly develop our land to best serve our community.
- They’ve evaluated the results of each scenario compared to the goals + objectives of the city’s 2018 Comprehensive Plan.
The task force does not make recommendations on boundary expansion. Their research + data helps to guide the conversation on Lexington’s growth trajectory.
Aerial photo of Lexington | Photo by Christopher Woodall - Lexington City Gov.
"How we grow" is a complicated question — one that requires extensive community input to be answered correctly.
The next public input opportunity will be at the Planning Commission Meeting on Thurs., Oct. 28 at 1:30 p.m.
Use the buttons below to share this story with your civic-minded friends and anyone else
who would love to learn more about Lexington's growth trajectory.
Today
- Nick Shoulders | Wed., Oct. 20 | 8 p.m. | The Burl | $15 | Enjoy pinball + live music at The Burl with Nick Shoulders + Todd Day Wait.
- Open Mic Night | Wed., Oct. 20 | 7 p.m. | Brewed, 124 Malibu Dr. | Free | All talents are welcome — comedy, music, magic + more.
Thursday
- Country Boy + West Sixth Tap Takeover | Thurs., Oct. 21 | 2 p.m. | Shamrock Bar & Grille, Georgetown | A tap takeover featuring two of Lexington’s favorite breweries with trivia at 8:30 p.m.
Friday
- The Scarefest | Fri., Oct. 22-Sun., Oct. 23 | Times vary | Central Bank Center | $25+ | Visit the horror convention + film fest for its 13th year. 🦇
- Blue-White Game | Fri., Oct. 22 | 7 p.m. | Rupp Arena | $5+ | Get a preview of this year’s squad at their annual scrimmage.
Saturday
- Beer + Chili Cook-off | Sat., Oct. 23 | 5 p.m. | Greyline Station | Prices vary | Beer, chili + entertainment with proceeds going to benefit Black Soil Ky
- Trunk-or-Treat | Sat., Oct. 23 | 2-4 p.m. | Whitaker Family YMCA | Free | A trunk-or-treating event featuring a costume contest + pumpkin decorating
- Jason Aldean | Sat., Oct. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Rupp Arena | $53+ | The 2021 Back in the Saddle Tour featuring Hardy + Lainey Wilson 🎸
Sunday
- White Reaper | Sun., Oct. 24 | 8 p.m. | The Burl | $20 | Louisville’s White Reaper is coming to town to party, rock out + and have a good time.
- Mummy Cake Decorating | Sun., Oct. 24 | 2-4 p.m. | Pivot Brewing | $45 | Create 4 different mummy cupcakes + sip delicious beers. 1 drink ticket is included.
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 73º | Sunny | 7% chance of rain
Development
Opening
- A new Chicago-style restaurant will open this winter at 472 Southland Dr. South of Wrigley will feature Chicago Italian beef, Chicago hot dogs + porchetta sandwiches. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Sports
- UK basketball is ranked No. 10 in the new AP preseason poll. The Cats were also selected by the SEC media as the team most likely to win the 2022 SEC title. Kentucky has a tough season ahead — playing 14 games against teams also receiving votes in the AP preseason poll. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
- UK’s Sahvir Heeler — a junior point guard transfer from Georgia — has been named to the 2022 Bob Cousy Award Watch List. During his sophomore season as a Bulldog — Heeler lead the SEC in assists + averaged 14 points per game.
Eat
- Crank & Boom announced they are now offering a small batch club subscription. For $150 — club members will receive 1 small-batch club pint of ice cream every month in 2022. The small-batch club subscription also comes with cool members-only gifts. Limited subscriptions are available.
- Da Dawg House — a restaurant in Greyline Station — announced new lunch hours this week. With wings, nachos + a build your own hotdog option — Da Dawg House makes for a great quick lunch spot.
Community
- Central Music Academy + WUKY Radio are hosting an instrument drive until Thurs., Nov. 25. Central Music Academy is a local nonprofit that gives top tier private music lessons for free to disadvantaged youth in Lexington. Call 859-221-2190 to donate + for more information.
Drink
- Maker’s Mark is teaming up with NC-based gastropub Beer Army to launch a new whiskey — BA1 ‘For the Fallen’. The whiskey pays tribute to fallen service members + first responders. (The Lane Report)
Feel Good
- Martin Himler — a Hungarian immigrant + coal miner — was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously on Friday. Himler moved to the U.S. in 1907, started his own coal mining company in Martin County in 1919, and joined the U.S. military in 1943. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Joe King — a local artist + muralist — created this new piece of street art on the side of a Transylvania University warehouse at West Fourth and Jefferson. “The Pythia in Agate” was created as part of this month’s PRHBTN street art festival.
Pro tip: Check out more featured PRHBTN artwork at The Loudoun House. The gallery features 100+ artists + is open until Fri., Nov. 12.
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59.5% — “Candy corn is always in season”
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19% — “Meh, I feel neutral”
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