LEXINGTON, Ky. — Official minutes from an Urban County Council meeting held Nov. 19 document an extended public hearing on a proposed zone change that would have allowed construction of an eight-story student housing complex in the Aylesford neighborhood.

The proposal involved rezoning 2 acres at Maxwell Street and Kalmia Avenue from medium-density residential to Downtown Frame Business to permit development by Core Spaces. At the November meeting, more than 50 people signed up to speak, with residents voicing both opposition and support.

The minutes show 21 residents spoke in opposition to the project, citing concerns about displacement, neighborhood character, and the demolition of 12 buildings classified as historic by the National Register of Historic Places. Fifteen residents spoke in support, citing Lexington's severe housing shortage, with a study showing the city is 22,000 housing units short across all incomes.

Council members posed detailed questions about traffic impacts, parking, affordable housing levels, and relocation assistance. Councilmember Sheehan noted that true affordability would require rent closer to $600 per month to align with average city salaries, while the proposed development was not classified as affordable housing.

The minutes document the procedural elements of the hearing but do not contain the final council vote. According to subsequent reporting, the Urban County Council voted 8-7 against the zone change.