Porch thieves in the neighborhood

There have been recent thefts from porches and yards in the neighborhood, including planters and other yard decorations in front of at least two homes on Mentelle Park in the past week or so. The most recent theft was this morning. Keep an eye out, and if you have any information about these thefts call the Lexington Police Department’s non-emergency number: 859-258-3600.

No July MNA board meeting

There will be no July meeting of the Mentelle Neighborhood Association board. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass, 162 N. Ashland Ave. All MNA members are welcome to attend board meetings.

Council approves short-term rental regs

After four years of discussions, Lexington’s Urban County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved new regulations for short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs.

Here are the basics: Rentals must be registered with the city and pay a license fee within six months. People who operate a short-term rental on a residential property where they live will not need city approval.  Unhosted rentals must be approved by the city’s Board of Adjustment, which will give neighbors an opportunity to object for various reasons, such as the number of short-term rentals already in a neighborhood. Existing short-term rentals will be allowed to continue operating. The maximum number of occupants in a short-term rental in a residential neighborhood will be 12.

This Lexington Herald-Leader article has more details. For further information about short-term rentals and related issues, see this resource page on the Mentelle Neighborhood Association website.