Lexington Sporting Club one step closer to new facility after zoning change
LEXINGTON, Kentucky (LEX 18) – With goals scored and games won, Lexington Sporting Club’s inaugural season is in full swing, but between games and practice the search for a homestead continues.
“I’m not sure about zoning and planning, but what I do know is player development and football and what that means for the community,” said head coach Sam Stockley.
During a Lexington Fayette Urban County Council meeting, Stockley emphasized the program’s need for a facility.
“We now have the football club. We have part of the facility but we need that training facility to put the icing on the cake to make it a real development system and a real football club,” Stockley said.
After hours of public comment, the council approved a zoning change that could bring the club’s vision to life.
The new zoning classifies 5380 and 5354 Athens Boonesboro Road as Highway Service Business or B-3.
Under the new zoning, Lexington Sporting Club can advance the development of its 60,000 square foot stadium, training center, medical facilities, 2,000 parking lots and restaurants.
“It will be the best facility in Kentucky, if not the country, once it’s built,” Stockley said.
Opposition to the plan did not waver, and a number of opponents came forward with prepared comments and questions.
“You are being asked to change a zone that will affect the entire Boonesboro Road in Athens,” said Julie Goodman. “It will affect our traffic, which is already so bad. We’re the second worst road for deaths in Fayette County. DOT is trying to figure out how to fix it and they want to bring a 6,500 person stadium when we can’t even figure out how to fix it now.
Other opponents aren’t convinced the facility will actually end up in Lexington.
Speaking on behalf of the opponents, Tom Miller said: “We have recently received a development plan for the Nicholasville stadium on March 1, 2023. This is where the stadium will be built.”
Another opponent echoed the concern, calling it a switch and bait, asking, “How can we protect this community if they build in Jessamine County?”
Despite objections, the vote was accepted. One by one, the majority of council members endorsed the future of Lexington Sporting Club and the promise that that future will unfold in Fayette County.
“Any company that comes into our community and wants to do something different from the status quo meets resistance, and that frustrates me greatly,” said Councilor Whitney Elliott Baxter. “We can’t always say no to everything, we just can’t.”