Colorado-based developers want to demolish buildings in the Woodland Triangle to construct a nearly 5,200 square foot mix of shops and living space.
But the planned seven-story structure, which requires a zone change, is meeting with resistance from surrounding residents. The Lexington Herald-Leader reports more than 150 people showed up at a Thursday meeting with Titan Investments, the builders — many to express opposition to the idea.
The Woodland development is only the latest major apartment complex to be proposed or built as student housing has become a lucrative business around campus. Residents worried aloud about traffic around one-way streets and concerns about parking.
Prior to the meeting, a local business owner took to social media to weigh in on the plans.
"This, I think, is kind of the last edge of town that hasn't really seen much of this student housing-led expansion. However, we're still already surrounded by students. There are students on Maxwell, Woodland, and High. This is the edge of campus. Now is this the change that needs to happen? I don't know," he said.
While concerned residents pressed for the city to start turning down the high-rise developments, a senior Lexington planner said the city can't legally discriminate against particular types of housing under the Fair Housing Act.
If built as currently designed, the mixed use development would feature retail stores on the first level and 55 residential units.