Doctoring Randolph Street
Rezoning proposal would
allow professional offices
By STACEY GRIJALVA
Randolph Street may become
busier in the future with doctors' or lawyers' offices next to
houses.
The Lexington Planning Commission heard from the public Thursday night on the proposed rezoning of Randolph.
As part of the
city's Comprehensive Plan,
the
Commission is reviewing the present zoning ordinance. It will make a
recommendation to the City Council, which will vote on it.
From Massie to Henry streets, Randolph is currently classified as part of the downtown commercial district.
Under the proposed rezoning, Randolph would be split into two parts. Massie to Parry Lane would change to purely a residential district, while Parry to Henry would mix professional services with residential.
Professional services can include doctors, lawyers, auditors, bondsmen, architects, engineers, pharmacists and psychologists, among others. Government offices, fire stations and community centers might even be allowed.
Students living in the area are unlikely to be affected.
The current zoning allows three unrelated people to live in a single-family home, as most houses on the street are classified, but conditional use permits allowing more people are common. The conditional permits would not change with the rezoning.
The proposal would also add the area to the Residential Historic Neighborhood Conservation District. It is currently part of the Historic Downtown Preservation District, which has more stringent construction and demolition rules.
The rezoning allows vacant lots to be built upon, and any destroyed homes to be rebuilt.
The rezoning would also require any office to provide off-street parking.
Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.
Lead supervisor: Prof. Claudette Artwick
Reporting supervisors:
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd