Projects

Helping to preserve Meadowthorpe's unique character with ND-1

A small group of Meadowthorpe residents formed the ND-1 Committee late last year to explore the possibility of developing an ND-1 zoning overlay for our neighborhood.

What is ND-1? ND-1 is short for Neighborhood Design Overlay Zoning. It is a set of voluntary self-imposed zoning regulations for a neighborhood that are in addition to the existing zoning regulations already in place. The regulations are quantifiable features; such as type of exterior building material, roof line, landscape features, setbacks, etc. For a list of all possible features, click here. An ND-1 overlay can include design standards for any combination of these features the neighborhood decides are worth preserving. 

For example, most of the homes in Meadowthorpe are of a Ranch or Cape Cod design. There are certain features that these types of homes have that make them such. An ND-1 overlay could provide design standards to ensure those features are used for renovation projects and in new construction. Otherwise, without ND-1, a home could be renovated or torn down and rebuilt with an entirely different style and materials. Although it might be attractive on its own merits and meet all city zoning requirements, it would be completely out of character in Meadowthorpe.

The Neighborhood's role in Creating an ND-1: The neighborhood acts as the primary lead in creating an ND-1 overlay. Working with LFUCG, the neighborhood identifies which existing features are important to preserve and prepares an application for review and approval by the neighborhood at large (through a petition process), and then by LFUCG.

What is happening now with ND-1? The committee is in the early stage of planning. Current members are: Coleman Bush (chair), Steve Troyer, Mark Feibes, Bob Layton and Wendell Grider. Anyone interested in joining can contact Coleman Bush at 333-3229 or by e-mail at colemanbush1@insightbb.com.

What to look for in the near future: The entire ND-1 process will likely take up to a year or longer including the processing of the application through the required public hearings It begins with a complete inventory of the neighborhood. Beginning around the first of April, you will see neighborhood volunteers with clipboards walking the sidewalks of Meadowthorpe. Invite them in for coffee.

What to look for later this year: There will be one focus group meeting, which will include at least one representative from each street. The purpose of this meeting will be to review in detail the assets and issues of Meadowthorpe with the goal of identifying a future vision for our neighborhood. There will be at least two meetings open to the entire neighborhood, and a petition will be circulated for property owners to officially show their support. Of course, any comments or questions can be directed to Coleman at any time by any Meadowthorpe resident or property owner.

Community Center Renovation

In 2007 the Meadowthorpe Neighborhood Association (MNA) undertook a major renovation of the Neighborhood Center at 333 Larch Lane in the Meadowthorpe Louie Mack Park. This building, which once served as the office building for the division of Parks and Recreation, desperately needed an overhaul. A leaky roof, a termite damaged decaying front wall, a damaged and dated tile floor, a cramped unusable kitchen and unattractive cinderblock walls were some of the problems the association faced when it took on the task of updating the center.

This was a huge job for an association that funds its activities with voluntary dues collected once a year from neighborhood households! To make the project a success required the involvement of the wider community. In addition to funds from the MNA treasury and the volunteer labor of residents (both skilled and unskilled), the MNA solicited and received generous gifts from Lexington's business community and the support and assistance of the LFUCG, especially the division of Parks and Recreation. This was truly a community partnership for a community center!

Under the leadership of MNA Vice President/ Park Committee Chair Greg Stratton, the renovation committee worked for seven months from the demolition of the old interior in March to the finishing touches, completed in early October, and even longer before that in the planning stages. The result was an amazing transformation! The cinderblock walls were covered with drywall. The kitchen was moved and totally replaced. The existing fireplace featured a new stone façade and gas logs. The crown jewel was the new floor - a commercial vinyl with the look of hardwood! In the eyes of Meadowthorpe Residents, the center is now as beautiful as any private clubhouse. On October 6, 2007, the MNA celebrated the official reopening and dedication of the center with Mayor Newberry, Second District Councilman Tom Blues, employees of the Division of Parks and Recreation, business donors, and special guests.

This renovation will not only benefit the people of Meadowthorpe. This lovely community center is still owned by the LFUCG and is a resource for people throughout Lexington seeking an affordable space for meetings and social events. The MNA is proud to contribute to Lexington by beautifying and maintaining our little corner of the city!

Park Improvements

The MNA is currently in the beginning stages of several important and exciting projects! The Park Improvement Committee has a terrific long range plan for renovation of the Meadowthorpe Community Center and the Meadowthorpe Louie Mack Park! With volunteer labor and funds from neighborhood dues collection, special donations from businesses and individuals, LFUCG Capital Improvement funds, matching grants, and assistance from the Division of Parks and Recreation, the MNA plans to make both spaces more attractive and user friendly. Click the links below to view drawings for the Community Center Renovation and Park Improvement. In January of 2007, the MNA set the project in motion by purchasing new trees for the park, which were planted by workers from the Division of Parks and Recreation.

• Community Center Renovation
• Kitchen Details
• Proposed Park Improvements
• Pavilion Details

Taylor Drive Entrance

The MNA also has plans to improve the neighborhood entrance at the intersection of Taylor Drive and Leestown Road. Implementation of this plan has been deferred until the sewage transfer station on the corner can be moved by contractors for the LFUCG. Check this link to view the proposed entrance design.

2006 Projects

In 2006, the MNA participated in the Third Annual Great American Cleanup, this time focusing efforts in the newly renamed Meadowthorpe Louie Mack Park, at the front of the neighborhood along Leestown Road, and at the back of the neighborhood near New Circle Road. The Neighborhood Watch was revived in the summer of 2006 to prevent crime in Meadowthorpe, and a neighborhood email list was begun to help spread the word about lost and found pets, important meetings, and other items that arise between newsletter issues. In 2006 the MNA also helped residents of Pelican Drive and Pelican Circle take advantage of a Neighborhood Action Matching Grant to complete the sidewalk on Pelican Drive. With the help of LFUCG Capital Improvement Funds and the volunteer labor of neighborhood stonemason John Rutherford, the MNA oversaw the restoration of crumbling sections of the historic rock wall along Leestown Road. In the fall of 2006, the MNA funded the installation of an irrigation system for the front median garden on Boiling Springs Drive.

New Sidewalk

Through joint funding by an LFUCG grant, MNA funds, Bob Cole of Meadowthorpe Manor Shoppes, and Joe Graviss of McDonald's, a sidewalk was added to the west side of Boiling Springs Drive near the Leestown Road intersection in August 2005.  The length of the stone wall was shortened and the pillar moved further from the road to improve visibility for drivers making right turns onto Leestown Road and to protect the pillar from collisions ( a frequent problem in the past).  The city added a crosswalk in the intersection and McDonald's added a sidewalk on the other side of the road.  This should make crossing Leestown Road on foot even safer and more accessible.

Boiling Springs Median

On June 14th, 2005, the MNA board approved funding from the MNA treasury for the addition of a water spigot to the long median on Boiling Springs Drive.   Accessible water in the median will allow volunteers of the Gardens and Grounds committee to maintain our beautiful landscaping more easily.

Spring Fling 2005

Neighbor's both young and "mature" who came out to the MNA's Spring Fling on Saturday, May 21st had a terrific time.  Children were tireless in navigating the 52-foot Air-Time inflatable obstacle course and bouncing in the inflatable castle.  Adults also braved the obstacle course and had a laugh doing it!  The neighborhood craft show proved that we have a talented and industrious community - skilled in drawing, needlework, stained glass, card making, and beadwork.  Of course, we all got a chance to indulge in our favorite pastime - eating and visiting with neighbors!  The glorious spring weather cooperated to give us all a perfect day in the park!

Great American Cleanup 2005

Meadowthorpe's Second Annual Great American Cleanup Event on Saturday, April 16th was a rousing success.  At least 52 volunteers turned out to help clean up our neighborhood.  The weather was beautiful, the Subway sandwiches and cookies were delicious, and the volunteers were hardworking!  Volunteers picked up litter on Antique Drive, Forbes Road, and Leestown Road.  Special thanks go out to the Girl Scouts of Troop #854 and Cub Scout Pack 911, Dens 3 and 6, for cleaning up litter in the park and along the fence line at the back of the neighborhood by New Circle Road.

Blue Grass Stockyards

Here's a copy of the letter (in Word document format) sent to Mayor Isaac and the Urban County Council on February 10, 2004 by president Shirley Young on behalf of the Association. It is concerning the disposition of the Blue Grass Stockyards.

New Street Signs

Our street signs are dressier! Thanks to Jerry Turner for the design. The new 6" logo has been placed on 124 new street signs, at some cost to the neighborhood association.