District 9 eNews - Thursday, October 27, 2016

 
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Bill Hollander

Councilman Bill Hollander
601 West Jefferson Street
(502) 574-1109
Email Bill

 

kyle ethridge

Kyle Ethridge
Legislative Assistant
(502) 574-3908
Email Kyle


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In this issue...


Beargrass: The Creek in Your Backyard Premiere – TONIGHT

Beargrass Creek

Join me at The Clifton Center Theater, 2117 Payne Street tonight, Thursday, October 27th for the premiere of noted filmmaker Morgan Atkinson of Duckworks’ latest documentary: Beargrass: The Creek in Your Backyard, a film focusing on Louisville’s own Beargrass Creek and the impact that everyone living within its 61 square mile watershed has on the waterway.

This project began as a crowd funded Kickstarter initiative:  The Beargrass Kick Starter Video, and took two years of exploring, filming and editing to complete. Atkinson worked with the Louisville Audubon Society, Metro Council Districts 8 and 9, MSD, and other individual donors to produce a film that will encourage local neighborhood and community association leaders to take action to protect and restore the creek.

Doors will open at 6:00 pm for a public reception preceding the film premiere at 7:30 pm. This is an open community event to support the restoration efforts on our creek.  There is a suggested donation of $5.00 at the door, and proceeds will benefit:  Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Beargrass Creek Alliance, and Salt River Watershed Watch, three groups working to restore the Beargrass.

A trailer for the film can be found here: Beargrass:  The Creek in Your Backyard.    


Major Railroad Work in D9 Beginning on Monday

CSX

After much delay, CSX is planning to replace the railroad ties along Frankfort Avenue and Westport Road beginning on Monday, October 31.

From Monday through Friday (October 31-November 4), a crew of sixty workers will be replacing ties from the Clifton neighborhood to Hubbards Lane and rebuilding crossings at many D9 streets. The crossings will be closed as the work progresses, including multiple crossings closed at the same time, which will force significant detours.  Each crossing will be closed for 24-48 hours once work begins there. CSX’s tentative schedule is as follows:

Monday, October 31

  • Galt Avenue
  • Birchwood Avenue

Tuesday, November 1

  • Crescent Avenue
  • Hillcrest Avenue
  • Pennsylvania Avenue
  • Reservoir Avenue
  • Blackburn Avenue

Wednesday, November 2

  • Masonic Home Drive (with Washington Square open during the closure)
  • Fenley Avenue (only after Blackburn reopens)
  • Chenoweth Lane

Thursday, November 3

  • St. Matthews Avenue
  • Clover Lane
  • Westport Road
  • Thierman Lane

Louisville Water Company DRC Review – November 2

LWC

Louisville Water Company (LWC) has held two public meetings to share its proposal for a stand-by electric generator and access road at its Crescent Hill Water Treatment Plant on Frankfort Avenue. LWC has listened to comments about the project and has submitted an official proposal, which will be reviewed during a public Development Review Committee meeting on Wednesday, November 2. The meeting begins at 1:00 PM, and continues until all cases are heard. The meeting will be at the Old Jail Building, 514 W Liberty Street. Members of the public may speak at the meeting.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, but would like to submit comments for the official case file, please contact Mr. Ross Allen (ross.allen@louisvilleky.gov) with Planning & Design.

At the last public meeting, Louisville Water announced that it had modified the design of the proposed building, adding stonework and other features to make it resemble a building on the property which dates to 1926.  In addition, the proposed building will now have a more environmentally-friendly white roof and a proposed fence has been pushed back from Frankfort Avenue to allow more accessible green space along the sidewalk.  Those changes were suggested by neighbors at an earlier public meeting and in follow-up communications.  In addition, an exit-only drive across from Hillcrest Avenue is now proposed to be constructed of historic concrete mix, rather than asphalt.  The changes are projected to add nearly $800,000 to the cost of the project. 


Crescent Hill Tennis Courts Renovated

CH tennis before

The Crescent Hill tennis courts on Reservoir Avenue, have been renovated and are now reopened.  These are before and after photos of the courts, which had long been neglected and were in very poor condition.    

The renovation of the six Crescent Hill courts is similar to work on the ten tennis courts at Seneca Park earlier this year. It involved cleaning and filling cracks, applying a crack repair product and finishing with a new acrylic color material.  

CH tennis after  

 

Metro Council significantly increased funding for Metro Parks maintenance and repairs in the budget passed in June.  In addition to the renovation of sixteen tennis courts in D9, work in D9 parks this year has included repaving a portion of the walking path at Seneca Park and other repairs at various sites.  


Free Shredding and Drug Toss – October 29

shredding

Louisville residents are invited to bring unneeded documents and prescription drugs to be shredded and disposed of at a free event on Saturday, October 29. The Drug Toss/Shredding Event is sponsored by Metro Public Works, Metro Police, and Metro Council. Citizens can protect themselves from identify theft and divert unused medications from the waste stream or misuse by bringing items to 1032 Phillips Lane, across from the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Businesses may not participate in this event. All paper materials will be shredded on site and recycled. Shredding donated by the Louisville Branch of Shred-It Louisville. The Drug Toss will be done as a drive-through event.

Black out all personal information on all medication containers that will be tossed. For safety reasons, we cannot accept sharps, needles, lances, cosmetics, personal care or hygiene items. Medication products should never be flushed down the toilet or drain, burned in the open or thrown in the trash because they can contaminate the environment if they get into the drinking and ground water.


St. Matthews Library Expansion Takes Shape

St. Matthews library

As planning for the expansion of the St. Matthews Eline Library continues, some details regarding the additional 11,300 square feet of space are emerging.

The Children’s area will be enlarged and a Read to Me Room will be added as well as an outdoor Children’s Garden. Additional seating and reading areas for the adult section are built into the plan as are two enclosed study areas and large and small conference rooms. A new geothermal HVAC system will ensure the comfort of patrons in any season.

The St. Matthews City Hall campus will likewise be revitalized with separated designated parking lots and entrances for the library, police station, and City Hall. There will be landscape improvements throughout the campus. Green technology is incorporated into the landscape plan via pervious pavers. Pervious pavers serve the same purpose as pavement, but because there is a bed of small stones beneath them and between them, water can soak through where it can be filtered back into the soil.

Current library plans are being finalized to form a cost estimate. After the planning phase, the project will be put out to construction companies for bids. The goal is to begin work the first quarter of 2017.

Courtesy of St. Matthews Living, November 2016 


Community Input Sought for New Northeast Regional Library – October 29

LFPL

Planning is just underway for a new 40,000 square foot state-of-the-art Northeast Regional Library, to be located at 1 Bellevoir Circle near the Northeast YMCA.  The design team—which includes architects from JRA of Louisville and Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle Ltd. of Minneapolis—will be on-site this Saturday, October 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The public is encouraged to stop by during this time to talk with the architects and share their ideas of what they would like to see in this new library.

The Northeast Regional Library will replace the current Westport Branch and enhance service for nearly 160,000 people in eastern Jefferson County. Bellevoir Circle can be accessed from Ormsby Station Road or Mill Brook Road.

Individuals unable to attend this public meeting, but interested in providing input, are encouraged to take an online survey at www.LFPL.org/NortheastSurvey. For more information, call (502) 574-1611. 


D9 Fall Community Cleanup a Success!

D9 cleanup group

Thank you for volunteering with us on Saturday to work along the Frankfort Avenue corridor between Mellwood and Story Avenues. We worked to clear the sidewalk, clean sewer grates, clear debris that has accumulated along the side of the road, trim trees, mulch tree wells, weed and pick-up litter. It was an extremely successful event, and we couldn’t have done it without your help! Click here to check out the photos from the event, and watch for more improvements along this stretch of the road in the coming months.


October Halloween Events

pumpkins

Jack O'Lantern Spectacular
Oct. 13 through Nov. 6 at dusk until 11:00 p.m.
Louisville’s Iroquois Park, 1080 Amphitheater Road

The pumpkins will illuminate a 1/4-mile trail adjacent to the Iroquois Amphitheater. The trail is open Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets range from $9 to $15, with discounts for seniors and children 12 and under. Proceeds from the event benefit the Louisville Parks Foundation. The event is held rain or shine. Individual tickets may be purchased in advance for specific nights at the Iroquois Amphitheater Box Office or online at www.jackolanternlouisville.com.

The Great St. Matthews Pumpkin Caper
October 15th-31st varying hours
Beargrass Christian Church, 4100 Shelbyville Road

The Great St. Matthews Pumpkin Caper, sponsored by Troop 115 Boy Scouts of America, will run through Halloween (or until the pumpkins run out!). The pumpkin sale is the major fundraiser for the troop for each calendar year.  Proceeds help the troop pay for operating expenses as well as help fund Scouts' fees for trips, uniforms, and other expenses. Hours will be 4:30pm-8:30 pm Monday-Friday and 9am - 9pm Saturday and Sunday.  Credit cards accepted.

Free Dive-In Movie
Friday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m.
Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center, 201 Reservoir Avenue

Enjoy Hotel Transylvania, rated PG. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Concessions will be available. Free and open to the public

Brown Park

Halloween in Brown Park
Saturday, October 29 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 

Event includes games, music, hayrides, with trick-or-treating beginning at 11:30 a.m. Children start at the pavilion in Brown Park and proceed through the “haunted forest” along the path where the participating organizations will be set up in their booths passing out goodies. The event ends at 2:00 p.m. 

Halloween on Hillcrest Avenue
Monday, October 31

This time of year, Hillcrest Avenue becomes a destination where visitors can see up to fifty homes between Brownsboro Road and Frankfort Avenue all decked out for Halloween. Bring canned goods or non-perishable foods to donate to United Crescent Hill Ministries at the designated collection bins on each block. Click here to read an article from The Wall Street Journal, Finding the Best Places to Trick or Treat, published on October 5, 2016, and featuring Hillcrest Avenue. 

Crescent Hill Baptist Church
Monday, October 31

Stop by the Fellowship Hall at Crescent Hill Baptist Church, 2800 Frankfort Avenue, while trick-or-treating from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. There will be games for children to play and crafts to make. Candy, popcorn, apple cider, and coffee will be offered. Also, in the event of rain or cold, the Fellowship Hall will be warm and dry.    


Vote!

vote

Absentee voting is underway in Kentucky.  Voters who will be outside Jefferson County on Election Day are among those who can vote absentee.  More information about voting absentee, both by mail and in-house, is here: http://www.elections.jeffersoncountyclerk.org/absentee_voting.shtml.

If you qualify to vote by absentee ballot, you can do that now at the Jefferson County Clerk’s Election Center, which has moved to 701 West Ormsby Avenue, Suite 301.  In-house absentee voting is available for qualified individuals on Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, on Saturday October 29 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm and on Saturday, November 5 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. 

If you are voting in person on November 8 and want to check your polling place or see a sample ballot, you can do that here: http://ags2.lojic.org/WhereDoIVote/. Exercise your right to vote this fall! 


Thank you Dolores Collins!

Dolores Collins

It was a bittersweet moment last Tuesday at the Mellwood Arts Center, as Dolores Collins closed her last Clifton Heights Community Council meeting.  Dolores has been the President of the Council for 21 years and has been a neighborhood leader for even longer. 

Last year, the neighborhood newsletter had this to say about Dolores:

“Like her parents, Dolores has lived her entire life in the Clifton Heights area, most of it on Lindsay Avenue. Schooled at St. Joseph’s and Ursuline Academy, she married Gene Collins and raised children Cathy and David in her current home, which was built by her father. When the kids were older, Dolores worked in Jefferson County’s Drivers’ License Bureau and in vehicle licensing offices. Thus began her career in public service. At the heart of her personal life are co-raising of granddaughter Ashley and care of her extended family, as a ‘reading buddy’ at St. Leonard School and involving herself in church activities, and indulging in arts and crafts work, as well as her passionate dedication to the Clifton Heights neighborhood.  Neighbors as well as elected officials know Dolores is the go-to person to gather information, marshal support, find creative solutions and build consensus around issues and concerns.”

(The full article is in this newsletter:  http://www.cliftonheightsnbrhd.org/Clifton_Heights_News__April_2015_news_3-30-15_final.pdf_)

The October 18 meeting was bittersweet because, while Dolores leaves as President on her own schedule and very well-regarded by her neighbors, everyone knows how much her leadership will be missed.  Thank you Dolores for your many years of service!   


Sustainability Story: Solar in Bellewood

Bellwood

Steve and Janet Dougherty, at 244 St. Matthews Avenue in Bellewood, recently installed a 5.5 kW roof-mounted grid-tied solar system designed to meet most, if not all, of their electrical needs. 

The Doughertys have had a passive interest in solar energy for a long time, but became seriously interested in installing at their home after a friend who installed solar was producing close to 100% of his own energy, and then speaking with an installer who supplied details on what was involved in installing solar, available tax credits, and costs. A lot of the Dougherty’s motivation to install solar was economic, i.e., to not pay so much for their monthly electric bill, but other benefits such as reducing carbon emissions were also a consideration. The 30% federal solar tax credit now available was a deciding factor.  It is too soon to say how this system is producing but with the tax credit and low interest financing now available, many businesses and homeowners can be cash-flow positive immediately.

The new system is comprised of twenty 320-watt solar panels with micro inverters. It was installed on the south and east facing surfaces of the back roof, and cannot be seen from the street. Even so, Steve likes how the panels look and is even more excited by their ability to produce the electricity he uses. The installation was done by Avery and Sun Solar, a local small business.

solar

The system is net-metered with the electric grid so that any excess energy produced feeds onto the grid and the homeowner receives full credit, in kilowatt hours (kWhs), for it from LG&E. The grid serves as a “bank” for storing excess energy, utilized when it is cloudy or at night. The system is expected to produce near net-zero energy, meaning it will produce as much energy as is consumed. Right now, Steve Dougherty is enjoying being a “meter geek” and watching his energy meter roll backwards every day! He says it is a great feeling to be producing his own energy from the sun.

Thank you to D9’s Nancy Givens, Education and Marketing Manager with Avery and Sun Solar Installations, who was a founder and is actively involved with the Solar Over Louisville campaign and Kentucky Solar Energy Society, for helping with this story.

We’d like to feature your sustainability story - a resident or business doing good things for the environment.  Riding the bus, bicycling, walking, gardening and more - our eNews will feature practices which can benefit all of us.  Send your story to Bill Hollander or Kyle Ethridge



Notice of Planning & Design Public Meetings

For basic details for below case/s please visit http://www.louisvilleky.gov/PlanningDesign/Click on “Search Case Information” link on the left navigation bar.  Then select the “home” tab and select the type of case and enter the case number.  For specific case information please call or email the listed case manager.  If you have any questions please contact Planning & Design directly at 574-6230.

Case No. 16ZONE1062
You are invited to attend the public meeting and public hearing to review the proposed change in zoning from W-3, Waterfront District, to C-M, Commercial Manufacturing, with waivers and a revised detailed district development plan.
Subject Property: 2700 Buddeke Drive
Case Manager: Laura Mattingly (laura.mattingly@louisvilleky.gov)
Date & Time: Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 1:00 PM until all cases are heard
Location: Old Jail Building, 514 W Liberty Street

Case No. 16VARIANCE1078
You are invited to attend a Board of Zoning Adjustment review for a variance from the Development Code (St. Matthews) Article 4 section 4.6.C.2.c to allow a proposed attached carport to encroach into the Street Side Yard setback by approximately 25 feet.
Subject Property: 500 Oxford Place (residential)
Case Manager: Ross Allen (ross.allen@louisvilleky.gov
Date & Time: Monday, November 7, 2016 at 8:30 AM until all cases are heard
Location: Old Jail Building, 514 W Liberty Street 

Case No. 16VARIANCE1075
You are invited to attend a review of a VARIANCE for the size, placement and number of signs.
Subject Property: 1373 Lexington Road (Axis Apartments)
Case Manager: Beth Jones (beth.jones@louisvilleky.gov)
Date & Time: Monday, November 7, 2016 at 8:30 AM until all cases are heard
Location: Old Jail Building, 514 W Liberty Street 

Case No. 16DEVPLAN1121
You are invited to attend a Development Review Committee review of a Community Facility Review Plan for the Louisville Water Co. to construct a proposed Electrical Building, Generator Building, and Screened Fuel Storage area located at 3000 Frankfort Avenue near the corner of Stilz Avenue and Frankfort Avenue.
Subject Property: 3000 Frankfort Avenue (Louisville Water Company)
Case Manager: Ross Allen (ross.allen@louisvilleky.gov)
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 1:00 PM until all cases are heard
Location: Old Jail Building, 514 W Liberty Street


Volunteers Needed for the 2016 Tax Season

VITA

For the past several years, the District 9 office has hosted a mobile tax preparation site at United Crescent Hill Ministries, offering free tax preparation to individuals and families under a certain income bracket. Each year we depend on volunteers to help prepare taxes and greet clients at our mobile site. We have a few dedicated volunteers that help us out every year, but we need more! This year we’d like to offer additional tax preparation dates and hope you’ll consider joining our team! If you are interested in volunteering for the 2016 tax season (February-April 2017) please contact Kyle Ethridge or call 574-1109. The first volunteer training will be offered in December. Volunteers are needed to help prepare taxes AND greet clients.


FREE Mammogram Screenings – December 9

mammogram

On Friday, December 9, from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm, the 9th District office, in partnership with U of L Hospital and the James Graham Brown Cancer Center, will offer FREE mammograms at the Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street.  To make an appointment please contact my office at 574-3908.  Mammograms are for women age 40 and over. There is no cost to eligible women without insurance.  Women with insurance will need to bring their card so a claim may be filed. 


Lead Safe Louisville Encourages You to Stay Lead Safe

Lead Safe

The Office of Housing & Community Development and Department of Public Health & Wellness’ Lead Safe Louisville program encourages residents, especially parents of young children, to learn about the dangers of lead poisoning and prevention methods. The week of October 23, 2016 is Lead Poisoning Prevention Week as established by the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint.

The most common source of lead is in lead paint dust/chips on homes built before 1978. (In 1978, the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-containing paint.) The lead can travel from the paint into soil, air or come into contact with children’s toys and other items. There may be no symptoms of lead poisoning, but it also may cause stomach aches, vomiting or cramps. Lead poisoning has been linked to learning disabilities in children, as well as physical problems, behavior issues or slowed growth.

If you live in a home built before 1978, make sure you talk to your doctor and have your child tested for lead once a year.  If you don’t have a doctor, contact the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness at 574-6948 for assistance.

For more information on Lead Safe Louisville, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/housing-community-development/lead-safe-louisville


District 9 Calendar Events

Below are some Ninth District calendar events!  To view a full listing of events please visit the District 9 Blog at http://district9news.wordpress.com/.  If you would like to submit events to be considered for the blog calendar please email Kyle Ethridge or call 574-1109.

Thursday, October 27: St. Matthews Library, 3940 Grandview Avenue, to host a history of the Louisville Turners at 2:30 p.m. Founded in 1849, the Louisville Turners are one of the city’s oldest organizations. Come to the fascinating presentation on its rich history and how it is has been a part of our community for over 150 years. Questions, please contact the library at 574-1771.

Thursday, October 27: Premiere of Morgan Atkinson’s documentary, Beargrass – The Creek in Your Backyard from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street. There will be a reception before and after the film, catered by Butchertown Grocery and Apocalypse Brew Works (cash bar).

Thursday, October 27: Crescent Hill Library, 2762 Frankfort Avenue, to host a movie discussion group at 6:30 p.m. Plan to discuss Halloween (1978). Questions, please contact the library at 574-1793.

Thursday, October 27: Carmichael’s Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Avenue, to host David Domine for a reading and book signing of Voodoo Days at La Casa Fabulosa at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, October 28: F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop on the final Friday of the month from 6:00 – 10:30 p.m. Park at one of the many convenient FREE and public parking areas and board the Frankfort Avenue Trolley at any designated stop. The trolley route runs from RiverPark Place on River Road to Cannons Lane. For more information about specific events please visit: http://www.frankfortave.com.

Friday, October 28: Dive-in movie at the Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center, 201 Reservoir Avenue, at 7:00 p.m. Enjoy Hotel Transylvania, rated PG. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Concessions will be available. Free and open to the public!

Saturday, October 29: 2016 Sustainability Summit from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Bellarmine University, Frazier Hall, 2001 Newburg Road. Hosted by the Louisville Sustainability Council and the Office of Sustainability. Register online at www.louisvillesustainabilitycouncil.org.

Saturday, October 29: Halloween in Brown Park from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Event includes games, music, hayrides, with trick-or-treating beginning at 11:30 a.m. Children start at the pavilion in Brown Park and proceed through the “haunted forest” along the path where the participating organizations will be set up in their booths passing out goodies. The event ends at 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 29: St. Matthews Library, 3940 Grandview Avenue, to host a movie viewing of Hocus Pocus, rated PG, at 2:00 p.m. Questions, please contact the library at 574-1771.

Sunday, October 30: Crescent Hill Baptist Church, 2800 Frankfort Avenue, to host LMPD Chief Conrad to talk about the ways in which LMPD is attempting to address the problem of increased violence in the City and how the community can be of assistance. Discussion in Heritage Hall, enter from the front steps of the church and turn left. For more information, please call 896-4425.

Sunday, October 30: Carmichael’s Bookstore, to host Nick Offerman at 1:00 p.m. at the Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street. Nick Offerman is an American actor, comedian, writer, musician, and woodworker.  Tickets are $40 and include a $5 donation to the Berry Center and a copy of Offerman’s newest book, Good Clean Fun.

Monday, October 31: Halloween on Hillcrest Avenue. This time of year, Hillcrest Avenue becomes a destination where visitors can see up to fifty homes between Brownsboro Road and Frankfort Avenue all decked out for Halloween. Bring canned goods or non-perishable foods to donate to United Crescent Hill Ministries at the designated collection bins on each block.

Monday, October 31: Crescent Hill Baptist Church, 2800 Frankfort Avenue, to host children’s games and crafts from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Also enjoy popcorn, apple cider and coffee.

Tuesday, November 1: St. Matthews Library, 3940 Grandview Avenue, to host a non-fiction book discussion group at 2:30 p.m. Plan to discuss, Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan. Questions, please contact the branch at 574-1771.

Wednesday, November 2: Crescent Hill Library, 2762 Frankfort Avenue, to host a meeting of the minds at 7:00 p.m. Join members of the community as they think about and discuss current topics. Questions, please contact the branch at 574-1793.


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