District 8 Streets Report: Saving Roots to Safe Routes

In this space, we provide updates on major projects and report on upcoming (scheduled and funded) streets and other infrastructure improvements.

Streets are not just pavement.  They have a character and life of their own.  That’s why I was alarmed to learn last week that several large street trees were removed from the right of way in Belknap, as part of a sidewalk repair project, without prior notice to adjacent property owners.  I have discussed this issue with both Metro Public Works and Community Forestry, and can report the following:

Root systems often cause sidewalks to buckle and, unfortunately, it is not uncommon that trees have to be removed to repair them.  So far in the current fiscal year (ending June 30, 2017), Community Forestry has recommended the removal of approximately 1/3 of the more than 300 street trees affected by sidewalk repairs citywide.  Trees are recommended to be removed if their health is deteriorating and they pose a public safety risk.  In an effort to minimize trees lost, Public Works has narrowed sidewalk widths while still complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Additionally, the department is training contractors to a new standard of preserving existing root systems to allow for further inspection by Community Forestry with the hope of identifying more savable trees.  

Sadly, in the Belknap case, some of the trees were removed due to contractor error in failing to preserve the roots for closer inspection.  The contractor acknowledges its unfortunate mistake and will bear the cost of the tree removal, as well as provide funds for replacement trees to be planted in the neighborhood under the oversight of Community Forestry.  Moreover, Public Works has corrected the contractor and given clear guidance that if this issue happens again then Metro will consider taking steps to remove their contract. 

As a result of this incident, I am working with Public Works and Community Forestry to ensure no street trees will be removed without prior notice, and sufficient tree replacement funds are included as part of the sidewalk repair program going forward.

Public Works and Community Forestry representatives will join me to discuss this matter further at the Belknap Neighborhood Association meeting, Wednesday, February 8 at 7:00pm, in the Kroger Community Meeting Room, 2440 Bardstown Rd., 2nd Floor.  The meeting is free and open to the public.

How does the Strategic Plan relate?

Objective 9:  Improve Equitable Access to the Built Environment

As part of our Strategic Goal to Reorient the Transit System, we will inspect and replace all sidewalk vertical displacements measuring more than one inch (1+”) within ¼ mile of District 8 bus routes by the end of 2019.

Want to help District 8 achieve Objective 9?

Objective 19:  Support Our Parks, Create New Greenspaces and Plant More Trees

As part of our Strategic Goal to Keep District 8 Clean and Beautiful, we will plant, on average, two trees per day – one in District 8 and another elsewhere in the city – every day, through 2020 (2,920 trees total).

Want to help District 8 achieve Objective 19?

Here are the upcoming paving and sidewalk projects in District 8.  All should be completed by June 30.  Of note:

Paving

• No paving projects were completed the past two weeks, and no projects are scheduled for the next two weeks.  In all likelihood, there will be no further paving activity until the weather warms (probably in March).

• In the meantime, please help us get District 8 potholes filled by reporting them!  There are several easy ways to do it.  My favorite is to tweet, like this: “@LouMetro311 #502pothole Castlewood Ave at Barret Ave.”  You can also call 311 or email: metro.call@louisvilleky.gov with specific pothole location information.

Sidewalks

• Last week, sidewalk removal, replacement and repair work was performed at the following street addresses: 1248 Bassett Avenue; 3107 Bon Air Avenue; 2230, 2231, 2238 and 2245 Boulevard Napoleon; 1905, 1909, 1914 and 1924 Woodbourne Avenue; 1862 and 1864 Yale Drive.

• Within the next two weeks, removal, replacement and repair work should be completed at the following street addresses: 1846, 1848, 1851, 1865, 1902, 1909, 1913 and 1945 Alfresco Place; 2401 Boulevard Napoleon; 1812, 1816 and 1863 Princeton Drive; and 1825 Rutherford Avenue.

We will provide more specific scheduling information regarding all of the above as it becomes available.

District 8 Development Report: The Slow Break

In this space, we report on District 8 planning and zoning activity from the past two weeks and, also, preview activity scheduled for the next two weeks.  All information is as of today’s date.  Please Subscribe & Stay Informed to receive Notification of Development Proposals via email or text and never miss the opportunity to participate in the development process.

• There was no District 8 planning and zoning activity the past two weeks.  Of note, however, I have been assigned to the Planning, Zoning, Land Design, and Development Committee and also appointed a member of the Historic Landmarks & Preservation Districts Commission.  My other Committee appointments are: Government Accountability, Ethics, and Intergovernmental Affairs; and Public Works, Parks, Sustainability & Transportation.

• On Sunday, February 12, at 3:00pm, there will be a Neighborhood Informational Meeting for Proposed Development to apply for a Short-Term Rental Conditional Use Permit for short term/vacation rentals at 1120 Everett Avenue.  The meeting will be at 1120 Everett Avenue.  (17CUP1000) 

Click here to view meeting agendas, download supporting documents and live-stream all planning and zoning public meetings.

How does the Strategic Plan relate?

Our Strategic Goal to Protect Our Built Environment includes the following statement of principles:

We will practice civil land use politics out of respect for the rule of law, our heritage, our neighbors, the earth and our local economy. We will trust and invest in the systems and processes designed to sustain and guide the growth of our communities and, in exchange, expect our planning efforts to be honored and faithfully executed.

District 8 Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Crime Reports: The More You Know

If you have any questions or want to discuss anything in these neighborhood-by-neighborhood crime reports, please email LMPD 5th Division District Resource Officers Amy Matthis and Brian Gillock at: 5thdivlmpd@louisvilleky.gov.  Our DROs also appear at all monthly neighborhood association meetings, which you can find information for on the District 8 Events Calendar.

Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Crime Reports, 1/17/17 – 1/28/17

Currently covering Belknap, Bonnycastle, Cherokee Gardens, Cherokee Seneca, Cherokee Triangle, Deer Park, Highlands-Douglass, Original Highlands, Tyler Park and Upper Highlands (Gardiner Lane and Hayfield-Dundee).

To receive Weekly Crime Updates via email or text covering the entire 5th Division, please Subscribe & Stay Informed.

To receive daily crime email updates specific to your home or business, follow this link, click “Receive Alerts,” and follow the instructions.

How does the Strategic Plan relate?

Objective 20:  Build Out the Neighborhood Watch Network

As part of our Strategic Goal to Organize Against Crime, we will conduct an LMPD 5th Division Weekly Crime Updates sign-up drive.  Fifty percent (50%) of District 8 property owners will receive LMPD’s Weekly Crime Updates by the end of 2019.

Want to help District 8 achieve Objective 20?

District 8 Events Calendar: The Fortnight Ahead

This listing is primarily a District 8 business calendar.  We’ll also highlight annual and special events affecting traffic and street closures, and choice events that are free and open to the public.  We’ll use social media to promote many others.  If you would like us to consider sharing an event, please email me at: brandon.coan@louisvilleky.gov and copy jasmine.masterson@louisvilleky.gov or call 574-1108.  For event location and other information, click here to visit District 8 Events online.

FEB 1, 2017          6:30pm Highland-Douglass Neighborhood Association

FEB 2, 2017          7:00pm City of Kingsley Meeting

FEB 8, 2017          7:00pm Belknap Neighborhood Association Meeting

FEB 9, 2017          6:00pm Metro Council Meeting

FEB 12, 2017       3:00pm Neighborhood Informational Meeting for Proposed Development at 1120 Everett Avenue

FEB 13, 2017       6:30pm City of Strathmoor Village Meeting

8 Shout-Outs: The Grateful 8th

This is a flexible space for giving thanks, saying hi to friends and having a little fun.

1. Shout-out to Louisville Asset Building Coalition and AARP for providing FREE tax preparation services to individuals and families who earned less than $64,000 in 2016!
2. Shout-out to Beth Stenberg for helping us keep District 8’s finances in order!
3. Shout-out to Mayor Greg Fischer for Rallying for American Values!  America shall be a place of welcome for all!
4. Shout-out to Tandee Ogburn for volunteering in the District 8 office and spearheading our neighborhood watch audit!
5. Shout-out to Ben Johnson and Matt Wilhelm for helping us to get the District 8 Satellite Office at the Douglass Community Center ready for business (February 17)!
6. Shout-out to Assumption High School student Lauryn Grady for starting a recycling pilot project in Cherokee and Seneca Parks!
7. Shout-out to 20th Century Women – great flick!
8. Finally, shout-out to everyone who has read this edition of District 8 eNews all the way to end!

In Two Weeks: The Projects Edition

Thanks for reading, and tune back in two weeks!  

Councilman Brandon Coan   |   Louisville Metro Council   |   District 8

601 West Jefferson Street, Third Floor

Louisville, Kentucky 40202

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