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![When I filed to run for Lexington’s 5th District City Council seat, I did so with a clear and consistent purpose: to listen first, and to lead with the voices of 5th District neighbors. That commitment is not a campaign talking point—it is the foundation of how I believe local government should work.
On the proposal at 319 Duke Road, I stand with the neighbors of the Chevy Chase neighborhood in opposition to the conditional use permit because what I have heard from neighbors is clear. The scale is too large. The safeguards are insufficient. The location is inappropriate. For those reasons, I urge the Board of Adjustment to deny the application as proposed.
The proposal on Duke Road calls for a 60-bed facility in the middle of an R-3 residential neighborhood. This is not a minor adjustment—it is a significant increase in density. Sixty beds translate into multiple staff shifts, increased vehicle traffic, deliveries, and a steady flow of service and emergency calls. These are not hypothetical concerns; they are predictable outcomes of a facility operating at that scale.
And yet, the physical structure on the property contains only 24 bedrooms. That discrepancy matters. Without strict, enforceable limits, there is little to prevent the facility from expanding its operations beyond what neighbors have been told. The Lexington zoning ordinance defines a “rehabilitation home” broadly, allowing for individuals recovering from substance use disorders, psychiatric conditions, or even those placed as part of parole or probation. Once approved, a conditional use permit can be difficult to constrain in practice.
Neighbors deserve clarity—and certainty—not shifting assurances.
Lexington can expand recovery services. We can invest in treatment. We can support those on the path to rebuilding their lives. But we must do so thoughtfully, responsibly, and in partnership with the communities we serve.
My commitment to the 5th District is that I will listen — and I will support what neighbors say matters most to them, what neighbors say they want and supporting solutions shaped by 5th District neighbors so we can protect the character of our neighborhoods.]()
When I filed to run for Lexington’s 5th District City Council seat, I did so with a clear and consistent purpose: to listen first, and to lead with the voices of 5th District neighbors. That commitment is not a campaign talking point—it is the foundation of how I believe local government should work. On the proposal at 319 Duke Road, I stand with the neighbors of the Chevy Chase neighborhood in opposition to the conditional use permit because what I have heard from neighbors is clear. The scale is too large. The safeguards are insufficient. The location is inappropriate. For those reasons, I urge the Board of Adjustment to deny the application as proposed. The proposal on Duke Road calls for a 60-bed facility in the middle of an R-3 residential neighborhood. This is not a minor adjustment—it is a significant increase in density. Sixty beds translate into multiple staff shifts, increased vehicle traffic, deliveries, and a steady flow of service and emergency calls. These are not hypothetical concerns; they are predictable outcomes of a facility operating at that scale. And yet, the physical structure on the property contains only 24 bedrooms. That discrepancy matters. Without strict, enforceable limits, there is little to prevent the facility from expanding its operations beyond what neighbors have been told. The Lexington zoning ordinance defines a “rehabilitation home” broadly, allowing for individuals recovering from substance use disorders, psychiatric conditions, or even those placed as part of parole or probation. Once approved, a conditional use permit can be difficult to constrain in practice. Neighbors deserve clarity—and certainty—not shifting assurances. Lexington can expand recovery services. We can invest in treatment. We can support those on the path to rebuilding their lives. But we must do so thoughtfully, responsibly, and in partnership with the communities we serve. My commitment to the 5th District is that I will listen — and I will support what neighbors say matters most to them, what neighbors say they want and supporting solutions shaped by 5th District neighbors so we can protect the character of our neighborhoods.Button -
![Here we go again....winter weather forecasts without a response from Lexington Streets and Road crews to pre-treat our streets so that our citizens don’t encounter hazardous conditions getting to work and children getting to school! Again, it’s the tale of two cities. This morning on the University of Kentucky Campus roads, sidewalks and parking lots were treated and safe. In the city of Lexington roads were untreated and not safe. I wonder what expectation we as citizens got wrong this time? We were promised changes in the city’s response to winter weather and its hazards on our streets and roads. For this type of event we have the right equipment, we have the salt brine and Beet Heat. So why was it not used to pre-treat and treat our roads this time? When I am on the City Council you can count on me to ask the right questions and the tough ones too. Central to my commitment to the 5th District is that we must fully fund and prioritize the basic services of city government.
? Link in bio for website to get involved! ?
? Link in bio to donate! $5, $15, $25, $50 ?
? Link in bio to Kentucky Voter Information Center! ?️
?️ Save the date and mark your calendar on May 19th to vote Michael McLaughlin 5th District City Council!
??♂️??♀️I am ready to listen, so anyone who wants to meet the candidate (that’s me, Michael), comment or message me for when you can find me @kenwicktable or @Josieslexky, I can’t wait to meet you and hear what’s on your mind! #onthecampaigntrail #coffeewiththecandidate
#ListeningFirst #5thdistrict #LexingtonKy]()
Here we go again....winter weather forecasts without a response from Lexington Streets and Road crews to pre-treat our streets so that our citizens don’t encounter hazardous conditions getting to work and children getting to school! Again, it’s the tale of two cities. This morning on the University of Kentucky Campus roads, sidewalks and parking lots were treated and safe. In the city of Lexington roads were untreated and not safe. I wonder what expectation we as citizens got wrong this time? We were promised changes in the city’s response to winter weather and its hazards on our streets and roads. For this type of event we have the right equipment, we have the salt brine and Beet Heat. So why was it not used to pre-treat and treat our roads this time? When I am on the City Council you can count on me to ask the right questions and the tough ones too. Central to my commitment to the 5th District is that we must fully fund and prioritize the basic services of city government. 🔗 Link in bio for website to get involved! 🤝 🔗 Link in bio to donate! $5, $15, $25, $50 💳 🔗 Link in bio to Kentucky Voter Information Center! 🗳️ 🗓️ Save the date and mark your calendar on May 19th to vote Michael McLaughlin 5th District City Council! 🙋🏻♂️🙋🏾♀️I am ready to listen, so anyone who wants to meet the candidate (that’s me, Michael), comment or message me for when you can find me @kenwicktable or @Josieslexky, I can’t wait to meet you and hear what’s on your mind! #onthecampaigntrail #coffeewiththecandidate #ListeningFirst #5thdistrict #LexingtonKyButton -
![It’s a strange place to be in, humble bragging would be a very foreign concept, if not objectionable to my grandparents and parents. It was not how I was brought up to understand why we performed acts of community service and charity, but here we are in the world of social media and campaigns!
For years, I’ve spent time working with and supporting organizations in our community simply because it felt like the right thing to do. Not for credit, and certainly not because I planned to run for office one day.
Now that I’m a candidate for local office, even mentioning that work can feel like campaigning off of it. The truth is, most of the people who do the real work in our community never post about it at all.
The first week of each month is something I look forward to, when my son and I pack for the Back Pack Buddies Program, an outreach ministry at Good Sheperd Episcopal Church. Each of the 47 bags go to kids at Booker T. Washington Elementary to help alleviate food insecurity over the weekend when schools are closed, every week of the school year. The same outreach ministry also provide for 55 kids at Ashland Elementary.
Food insecurity is an issue across our community that I support hands on. My son and I regularly answer the needs at the Catholic Action Center (100 bag lunches during the snow storm), Natalie’s Sister’s (Bottled water & protein drinks), Free Little Pantry at the Kenwick Center (Regular drop offs).
I’m proud of the time I’ve spent helping where I could, but that work didn’t start with a campaign and it won’t end with one either. It’s just part of being invested in the place we call home.
? Link in bio for website to get involved! ?
? Link in bio to Kentucky Voter Information Center! ?️
??♂️??♀️I am ready to listen, so anyone who wants to meet the candidate (that’s me, Michael), comment or message me for when you can find me @kenwicktable or @Josieslexky, I can’t wait to meet you and hear what’s on your mind! #onthecampaigntrail #coffeewiththecandidate
#ListeningFirst #5thdistrict #LexingtonKy]()
It’s a strange place to be in, humble bragging would be a very foreign concept, if not objectionable to my grandparents and parents. It was not how I was brought up to understand why we performed acts of community service and charity, but here we are in the world of social media and campaigns! For years, I’ve spent time working with and supporting organizations in our community simply because it felt like the right thing to do. Not for credit, and certainly not because I planned to run for office one day. Now that I’m a candidate for local office, even mentioning that work can feel like campaigning off of it. The truth is, most of the people who do the real work in our community never post about it at all. The first week of each month is something I look forward to, when my son and I pack for the Back Pack Buddies Program, an outreach ministry at Good Sheperd Episcopal Church. Each of the 47 bags go to kids at Booker T. Washington Elementary to help alleviate food insecurity over the weekend when schools are closed, every week of the school year. The same outreach ministry also provide for 55 kids at Ashland Elementary. Food insecurity is an issue across our community that I support hands on. My son and I regularly answer the needs at the Catholic Action Center (100 bag lunches during the snow storm), Natalie’s Sister’s (Bottled water & protein drinks), Free Little Pantry at the Kenwick Center (Regular drop offs). I’m proud of the time I’ve spent helping where I could, but that work didn’t start with a campaign and it won’t end with one either. It’s just part of being invested in the place we call home. 🔗 Link in bio for website to get involved! 🤝 🔗 Link in bio to Kentucky Voter Information Center! 🗳️ 🙋🏻♂️🙋🏾♀️I am ready to listen, so anyone who wants to meet the candidate (that’s me, Michael), comment or message me for when you can find me @kenwicktable or @Josieslexky, I can’t wait to meet you and hear what’s on your mind! #onthecampaigntrail #coffeewiththecandidate #ListeningFirst #5thdistrict #LexingtonKyButton -
![? Meet & Greet Event ? …and you are invited… along with any friends and neighbors you’d like to bring with you to my upcoming Meet & Greet on March 8th from 3-5 pm at 225 South Hanover Ave. Please help me spread the word, this is an open house event, all are welcome, especially 5th District constituents!
? Link in bio for website to get involved! ?
? Link in bio to donate! $5, $15, $25, $50 ?
? Link in bio to Kentucky Voter Information Center! ?️
?️ Save the date and mark your calendar on May 19th to vote Michael McLaughlin 5th District City Council!
??♂️??♀️I am ready to listen, so anyone who wants to meet the candidate (that’s me, Michael), comment or message me for when you can find me @kenwicktable or @Josieslexky, I can’t wait to meet you and hear what’s on your mind! #onthecampaigntrail #coffeewiththecandidate
#ListeningFirst #5thdistrict #LexingtonKy]()
📨 Meet & Greet Event 🚨 …and you are invited… along with any friends and neighbors you’d like to bring with you to my upcoming Meet & Greet on March 8th from 3-5 pm at 225 South Hanover Ave. Please help me spread the word, this is an open house event, all are welcome, especially 5th District constituents! 🔗 Link in bio for website to get involved! 🤝 🔗 Link in bio to donate! $5, $15, $25, $50 💳 🔗 Link in bio to Kentucky Voter Information Center! 🗳️ 🗓️ Save the date and mark your calendar on May 19th to vote Michael McLaughlin 5th District City Council! 🙋🏻♂️🙋🏾♀️I am ready to listen, so anyone who wants to meet the candidate (that’s me, Michael), comment or message me for when you can find me @kenwicktable or @Josieslexky, I can’t wait to meet you and hear what’s on your mind! #onthecampaigntrail #coffeewiththecandidate #ListeningFirst #5thdistrict #LexingtonKyButton
