The Urban County Board of Adjustment granted conditional approval Tuesday to the Lexington Sporting Club’s proposed development on 147 acres of what is currently a horse farm. With the new zoning, it would become a 6,000-seat stadium, 12 youth soccer fields, and a 750-spot parking lot.
The public hearing lasted 6 hours, with opponents arguing that development would strip the land of valuable soil and set a precedent for Lexington’s protected farmland to be harmed by non-agricultural use. Others voiced concerns about traffic and noise.
The club said in a statement that with more than 1400 kids registered for their youth club, adequate field space is not available elsewhere in the city. The developer has agreed to build a 50-foot buffer with trees between the fields and other properties.
The proposal passed 6-1. Another hearing on the issue will take place next month.
