News Summary
A demolition permit for the historic home at 245 Stone Ave. in Lexington was issued by mistake, alarming preservationists and residents. The home faces potential demolition as part of a development plan, amid fears of historical loss. Local advocates urge for preservation efforts following the property’s transfer to Kappa Alpha fraternity, who may seek to demolish it for a new house. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between development and historical integrity in the area.
Lexington – A demolition permit for a historic home located at 245 Stone Ave. was issued in error, raising alarms among preservationists and local residents. The incident is part of an ongoing two-year struggle involving the property’s owner, Stavroff Land and Development, neighboring residents, and the Blue Grass Trust, who are concerned about the potential loss of historical integrity in the area.
In December 2023, the Urban County Planning Commission approved a zone change for a six-story apartment complex on East Maxwell Street, which includes 238 residential units. Initially, Stavroff intended to demolish the home at 245 Stone Ave. to accommodate trash compactors behind the planned development. However, concerns voiced by the community led to the abandonment of this specific plan.
As the development plans evolved, residents gained the impression that 245 Stone Ave. would be preserved, particularly after Stavroff submitted revised plans. However, fear arose among some planning commission members that the final development proposal, presented in December 2024 and deemed significantly different from earlier iterations, represented a “bait and switch.” Issues with these changes surfaced during a site analysis following the original approval, prompting a rework of the plans to align more closely with community expectations and prior designs.
By May this year, the city had issued demolition permits for several homes in the East Maxwell block, including 245 Stone Ave., which were surrounded by fencing as construction activities commenced. Architect Maureen Peters, while monitoring the development, discovered the home behind the construction barriers, leading her to contact authorities regarding the status of the demolition permit.
Upon investigation, it was found that a demolition permit had indeed been issued for 245 Stone Ave., clashing with the city’s authority’s finalized development plan that identified the house as outside of the planned demolition area. Following inquiries from Peters and the Blue Grass Trust, the city rescinded the demolition permit for this property.
Preservation advocates have voiced concerns regarding the apparent lack of oversight in the demolition process, pointing out that city planning staff do not routinely track demolition permits. A city spokeswoman confirmed that the inclusion of 245 Stone Ave. in the development plans was a clerical error and not a reflection of the city’s intent.
Significantly, Stavroff decided to transfer ownership of 245 Stone Ave. to the Kappa Alpha fraternity for the nominal price of $1 on May 13, 2024. Additionally, Stavroff has compensated the fraternity $1.2 million for another property tied to the new development. The fraternity has indicated plans to eventually demolish the historic home to construct a new fraternity house, pending the achievement of a zone change and conditional use permit.
Built in 1927, 245 Stone Ave. is noted for its unique Craftsman and Tudor Revival architectural style, showcasing historical significance that preservationists argue should be honored. In light of this, the Blue Grass Trust has reached out to Kappa Alpha, advocating for the consideration of preserving the home, which many local residents view as a vital part of the neighborhood’s architectural heritage.
The current situation surrounding this historic home exemplifies the tension between development and preservation in urban areas. As the conversation around its fate continues, it highlights the broader implications for the preservation of historic properties in rapidly changing environments.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Lexington Demolition Permit Issued
- Wikipedia: Historical Preservation
- LEX 18: Permit Issued for Demolition of Blue Grass Apartments
- Google Search: Demolition Permitting Process
- Kentucky.com: Local Lexington Restaurants
- Google Scholar: Urban Development and Preservation
- WKYT: Historic Lexington Home to Be Demolished
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Development
- Rural Radio: New Casey’s Building Under Construction
- Google News: Housing Development Lexington
