LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Lexington Sporting Club’s proposal to build a soccer stadium along Athens-Boonesboro Road near I-75 took a major step closer to reality Thursday.
The proposal won the unanimous approval of the city’s planning commission to change the site’s zoning to allow for a soccer stadium.
Third time may be the charm for the stadium, which previously was proposed for downtown next to Rupp Arena, as well as off Newtown Pike.
The plan still faced stiff opposition Thursday, largely from neighbors during the 3.5 hour discussion. Two neighborhood groups voiced their disapproval for the plan at the planning commission meeting.
“This really isn't the best location,” said Don Todd, who represents the Old Richmond Road Neighborhood Association. “It might be the best for developers, might be the best for their pocketbooks, but it’s not best for the community.”
The commission received eleven letters of disagreement for the change and three letters of support.
Neighbors claimed the sporting club’s plan simply did not meet the city’s standards to allow for a change and didn’t comply with the city’s comprehensive plan.
They also shared concerns about traffic, light, and sound near their homes. There are about six homes near the site.
“I feel like I’ve been in a 10-round fight and I can’t hit back until now,” said Steve Ruschell, a lawyer representing the sporting club at the meeting. “This just is not the wild wild west.”
Those opposing the plan have not studied the facts and simply want to stop the plan, Ruschell said. He felt as if they had been “ambushed.”
The planning commission staff recommended the zoning change, saying it did follow the rules.
Neighbors shared how they were led to believe the sporting club didn’t actually plan to build the stadium, and instead wanted the site’s zoning to be changed to allow for the site to be used for other commercial purposes. They called it a “bait and switch,” or “trojan horse.”
They were specifically concerned a casino could land on the site. The actual stadium, they said they were led to believe, would be built in Jessamine County.
Responding to those concerns when asked by a commission member, Ruschell said they have been looking at other sites because of the uncertainty in Fayette County, but cautioned the possibility was highly hypothetical.
“That’s part of the ambush,” Ruschell said. “We’re here, today, asking for a zone change and a conditional use permit, nothing more, nothing less, and we’re going to make this community better.”
They got both the permit and the zoning change, despite the reservation of some members of the commission.
A member of the planning staff also explained there are measures in place to prevent a “bait and switch” from being successful in Lexington.
The plan would also allow for things like restaurants, medical officers, and their training facility to be near the stadium.
