Zoning panel backs coffee shop, record store on Southland Drive
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LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government's Planning Commission Zoning Committee unanimously recommended approval Wednesday for variances that will allow Fox South LLC to open a coffee shop and record store at 500 Southland Drive, marking the final step before the project advances to the full Planning Commission.
The project requires rezoning the 0.684-acre property from a Professional Office zone to a Neighborhood Business zone. After the committee's May approval of the base rezoning, Fox South returned Wednesday with revised variance requests that staff and commissioners found acceptable.
The applicant originally sought four variances, including permission to increase the maximum front yard setback to 50 feet and eliminate landscaping and buffer requirements for the vehicular use area. After meeting with city staff, the developer withdrew the front setback variance, citing concerns about limiting future development on the site.
The revised proposal includes enhanced pedestrian safety features. The applicant added a curb along Southland Drive and Mitchell Avenue sidewalks, along with a tree and hedge in the southeast corner of the parking area. These improvements reduced the requested landscaping variances, with interior landscaping increasing from zero to 3.2 percent and tree canopy from zero to 7 percent.
"The applicant has proposed to install a curb as well as hedge and tree at the southeast corner which will improve pedestrian safety," staff said in recommending approval of the variances.
The mixed-use neighborhood business designation aligns with Southland Drive's character as Lexington's historic "Music Row" and its recent revitalization efforts. The area has experienced growing interest in local retail and dining options as the neighborhood continues its development as a mixed-use destination.
The project now moves to the Planning Commission, which was scheduled to consider related development plans at its June 11 public hearing. The full Urban County Council will ultimately need to approve the zone change.