Neighbors,
As discussed in December 2019, FCNC will offer 3 workshops starting in January 2020 to computer savvy members who wish to improve their skills in navigating publicly available resources in the areas of planning and development. These resources are those which LFUCG staff and others maintain and use when they work with neighborhoods. Please note that the number of seats for these workshops are very limited, and we urge you to (1) be sure that you are qualified by being familiar with the skills needed to navigate the Internet and use public databases and (2) sign up promptly so that you get a seat. It is our current intent that, If popular, the workshops will be repeated. We are excited about the possibility of spreading knowledge about these resources that are available to everyone.
Here is more information, and you can click on the links below to sign up. Please note that you can delegate a person from your neighborhood to attend; we know that not all on our email list will be the appropriate person to attend such workshops.
– Walt Gaffield, President, Fayette County Neighborhood Council, Inc.
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Skills for Engaged Citizens and Neighborhoods
USING LEXINGTON’S ONLINE SOURCES FOR PUBLIC RECORDS & INFORMATION
Hands-on workshops sponsored by Fayette County Neighborhood Council with Friends of Wolf Run
Saturdays 9:30 a.m. – noon, January 18, February 22, March 21
Lexington Public Library, Central Branch on Main Street, Computer Lab
For citizens and neighborhoods who take an active part in city affairs, who need clear and ready access to public documents, processes, and data to get things done. For people who want to join conversations in local government with a greater knowledge of the issues—more than the news headlines.
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Workshop 1. PLANNING, ZONING & DEVELOPMENT: Accela software & the map-based Building Eye portal. Saturday, January 18, 9:30-noon
Accela software links you to city databases for development projects of any size, with correspondence, site plans, reports, etc. at each stage of the public process. Find records and track processes for zone change and development plan hearings of the Planning Commission, and for conditional use permit and variance hearings of the Board of Adjustment. Even building and renovation permits are tracked.
Building Eye is a handy portal to access the Accela database by using a map of the city. Check on current development projects and permits, and sign up to get notice of new ones.
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Workshop 2. URBAN COUNTY COUNCIL: Legistar calendar and documents; LexTV live broadcast and archive. Saturday, February 22, 9:30-noon
Legistar links you to Council agendas, deliberations, reports, contracts, committee work and votes. Everything from reviews and changes to local laws, regulations and services (recycling, motorized scooters, code enforcement) to contracts for projects and studies (Nicholasville Rd corridor development, Town Branch Trail), to tax incentives (Palomar TIF commercial development tax relief, Opportunity Zones for low-income census tracts).
LexTV offers a live streaming and video archive of the Council and committee meetings that can be viewed online, on cable channel 185, or on YouTube.
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Workshop 3. PROPERTY, ROADS, CITY SERVICES & ENFORCEMENT: PVA, LexCall 311, & KY Transportation. Saturday, March 21, 9:30-noon
PVA offers a wealth of information, with maps, aerial photos, and data. Learn how to turn on layers to get information on areas and neighborhoods as well as single properties: dimensions, boundaries, zoning, housing and commercial land use, streets, streams, etc.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet offers maps, data, and photos on a still larger scale.
LexCall 311 assists by phone and Internet with city services for trash, streets, code enforcement, etc. Learn to use the online interface or phone app to make an inquiry or complaint and track it to its resolution.
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Participants need to have basic Internet navigation skills, understand how to download documents, and work with basic document types like pdf and Word docs. Lab computers and wi-fi are available; you may bring a laptop, smart phone, or other device.
Click below to register for one or more of these free workshops :
Jan 18 workshop
February 22 workshop
March 21 workshop
Sign up early because class size is very limited.
For questions or more information, contact fayetteneighborhoods@gmail.com.