Author: Tom Eblen

The Urban County Council tonight gave first reading to an ordinance regulating short-term rentals in Lexington. The Mentelle Neighborhood Association board hasn’t taken a position on this evolving legislation, but it wants residents to be informed about the subject so they can express their opinions to our elected representatives. The website has a new page with information on this issue, which you can access by clicking here.  If you have questions or concerns, feel free to email MNA President Tom Eblen here.

What a wonderful day it turned out to be! Thanks to Shelby Reynolds and David Bartley; Esther Hurlburt; and Katie Mueller-White and Chet White for hosting us. Thanks to everyone who came out this afternoon. We received $90 in donations to the Mentelle Neighborhood Association and got one new member.

The Mentelle Neighborhood Association invites all neighborhood residents to a Strolling Sunday Social on June 25 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  You will enjoy strolling between three lovely gardens and porches for summery drinks and snacks while meeting your neighbors, old and new.

The stroll begins at 3 p.m. on the porch of Shelby Reynolds and David Bartley at 710 Aurora Ave.  It will continue to the garden of Esther Hurlburt at 309 Given Ave. and end on the porch of Katie Mueller-White and Chet White at 823 Aurora Ave. Each stop will last about 45 minutes.

This is an especially good opportunity for newcomers to get acquainted with your neighbors and join the Mentelle Neighborhood Association. There is no admission charge, but donations to the association are encouraged. Suggested donation is $5 per person or $10 per family.

The regular monthly meeting of the Mentelle Neighborhood Association board will be Wednesday, June 21, at 7 p.m. in the meeting room around back of the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass, 162 N. Ashland Ave. Any MNA member is welcome to attend.

The Mentelle Neighborhood Association invites all neighborhood residents to a Strolling Sunday Social on June 25 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  You will enjoy strolling between three lovely gardens and porches for summery drinks and snacks while meeting your neighbors, old and new.

The stroll begins at 3 p.m. on the porch of Shelby Reynolds and David Bartley at 710 Aurora Ave.  It will continue to the garden of Esther Hurlburt at 309 Given Ave. and end on the porch of Katie Mueller-White and Chet White at 823 Aurora Ave. Each stop will last about 45 minutes.

This is an especially good opportunity for newcomers to get acquainted with your neighbors and join the Mentelle Neighborhood Association. There is no admission charge, but donations to the association are encouraged.

At the Warehouse Block Advisory Board meeting May 24, owner Chad Walker discussed his plans to seek a new city tourist designation that would allow alcoholic beverages purchased at Warehouse Block food and drink establishments to be carried outside in a restricted zone within the development under certain circumstances.  Click here to download Walker’s letter explaining his plans. Walker will have a neighborhood meeting to take  questions and discuss any concerns you might have at 5:30 p.m. on June 21 at Myriad Meadery, 732 National Ave. You also may email Walker here.

From Kenzie Gleason at the Lexington Area Metropolitan Planning Organization:

The Lexington Area MPO and LFUCG’s Division of Planning are exploring options to better connect downtown to the Brighton Trail. Please check out www.connecteastlex.com/ to learn more.

There are a few different ideas for how we can create a future connection between East Lexington and downtown. To view these ideas, please check out this survey. This survey is a great way to provide your feedback.

In addition to the survey, city staff and the study team are hosting a public open house on Wednesday June 7, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Kenwick Community Center. This is an informal gathering so please come and go as you are able. The team will be available to listen and answer questions during the two hour open house – join us!

More info: https://www.connecteastlex.com/publicinput

After considering feedback from people in our neighborhood and Bell Court, Lexington’s Traffic Engineering office plans changes in the crosswalk on Walton Avenue, with construction scheduled to begin in late May or early June. The crosswalk will move south on Walton towards Hambrick Avenue. The office says the location change was made for several reasons:

• It allows for better visibility for vehicles coming from Winchester Road.
• Vehicles will have more time to slow down before the crosswalk.
• The location allows for median lines to be painted on the street, which allows for pedestrians to cross one lane at a time.

If you have questions or concerns about this plan, you may email Brian Knapp or Grace Foley in Traffic Engineering.

The regular monthly meeting of the Mentelle Neighborhood Association board will be Wednesday, May 17, at 7 p.m. in the meeting room around back of the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass, 162 N. Ashland Ave. Any MNA member is welcome to attend.