As some of you know, Mirror Twin Brewing Co. is seeking more room for its brewing operation and wants to expand into a third building on the north side of National Avenue, across the street from its popular brewpub.
This expansion would require a zone change from Wholesale and Warehouse Business (B-4) with an adaptive reuse overlay to Light Industrial (I-1) with an adaptive reuse overlay.
The adaptive reuse overlay, a key to Lexington’s infill and redevelopment efforts, allows brewpubs but not microbreweries. Neither Mirror Twin nor the adjoining residents on Aurora Avenue want food and drink served at the third building, and without that it does not qualify as a brewpub, thus the need for rezoning. The building into which Mirror Twin wants to expand is part of a larger parcel and shares parking and access with other businesses and buildings. City planners have advised Walker Properties to seek rezoning from B-4 to I-1 for all its properties in the Warehouse Block development plan, a large area that has a big impact on our neighborhood.
The I-1 zoning allows everything that’s permitted in B-4 and then some.
Chad Walker of Walker Properties and the owners of Mirror Twin have reached out for the neighborhood’s input.
As part of its application for the rezoning, Walker Properties plans to formally zone out some otherwise permissible uses (for example: heliport, penal institution, metal scrap yard, etc.) that clearly conflict with the company’s plans for the area. If approved by the city council, the exclusions in this conditional zoning would have the force of law and could be reversed in the future only if the property owner goes through the rezoning process, including receiving the city council’s approval.
The MNA board also wants neighbors’ input. Please look at this link to the city’s zoning ordinance. https://library.municode.com/ky/lexington-fayette_county/codes/zoning_ordinance?nodeId=ZONING_ORDINANCE_ART8SCZO_S8-21WHWABUZO
Specifically, consider the permitted and conditional uses in B-4 and I-1. The lists are long and many of the uses would be wrong for our neighborhood and the Warehouse Block.
Which uses in B-4 and I-1 do you think should be zoned out?
Something to keep in mind: The city has a strong aversion to “spot zoning” — or zoning for single projects or very restricted uses. So, for example, we can’t ask for every use except a brewery to be excluded. We must be judicious and flexible in what we ask for. Still, this is a unique opportunity to tailor both the current and future zoning of this area for the entire neighborhood’s long-term benefit.
Please send your thoughts and feedback to jamiedlucke@gmail.com no later than 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, and I will share your thoughts with the MNA board.
Stay tuned to this page for future developments.