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In the last episode of Eight More Miles: the
District 8 Podcast,
Senator Morgan McGarvey and I discussed some of the differences between the practices
and procedures of the Kentucky General Assembly and Louisville Metro Council, and
the roles, responsibilities and expectations accompanying the job of legislator
at the state and local levels. (We also
discussed Hunter S. Thompson, The Wire and some other fun stuff.) I wish that Metro Council Members could spend
more time policymaking and less time fielding constituent service requests and
administering mini-grants (hello, executive branch!) but I’m pleased to be increasing
my own legislative activity as of late.
For example, as a sponsor of the recently-passed
expanded smoking ban, I quietly introduced an amendment eliminating the
exception that previously allowed smoking in hotels, motels, hospitals, hospice
and nursing homes. The ordinance should
also result in the nonproliferation of Highlands hookah bars, which are now
prohibited from food and alcohol sales.
I am also sponsoring an ordinance to be
discussed in committee next week regarding the regulation of private schools
and certain other institutions in single-family residential neighborhoods. I learned during the Stonecote Sudbury School
case on Alta Vista Road this past winter that current local land law is
completely devoid of any due public process or discretionary approval in these
situations, meaning that right now the house next-door to you could become a
charter school (or an aquarium!) without any advance notice. I think the requirement of a conditional use
permit going forward is a fair and right policy adjustment. (In happy, related news, the Sudbury school
founders have secured a new location in District 8 – in a commercial building,
not zoned Single Family Residential – and I wish them the best of luck!)
I have two other new ordinances on my desk
awaiting final changes at the moment and soon to be filed: one to further
protect certain historic structures from demolition, the other geared toward litter enforcement – and both as promised in my strategic plan.
As evidenced by the case of the e-cigs and
hookah ban, it is equally important to update and revise old laws as it is to
pass new ones. That’s why in August – once
it has been in full effect for a year – I intend to reexamine the Short-Term
Rentals ordinance with an eye toward strengthening enforcement. To be clear, I support STRs, generally – and
am a registered Airbnb host myself – however, I’ve received enough reports of illegal
operations and just plain inconsiderate neighbors that I refuse to let them
ruin it for the rest of us.
Finally, I’d be remiss not to acknowledge that
many significant policy issues a large number of you care deeply about are
stuck in the mud going nowhere – or worse yet, haven’t even gotten out of the
barn: sanctuary city; buffer zone (legal protection of access to abortion); no
net tree loss; [insert your issue here].
Believe me, I’m just as frustrated as you are – and if I had the time to
deal with them all myself, I would! – but the other obligations of this job can
be overwhelming. (It is just Jasmine and
me, and there are 29,232 of you!)
I don’t mean to make excuses but this is why we
need your help. So, if you’re interested
in law and policy, have a penchant for research and writing and, also, a little
bit of free time, let us know! Email me
at: brandon.coan@louisvilleky.gov and copy jasmine.masterson@louisvilleky.gov or call: (502) 574-1108.
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Correction Corner is back! A few items:
We’ve crossed wires on these dates in the past
but now you can take it to the bank:
The District 8 bus stop audit is Sunday, June 4,
and the litter bin audit is Sunday, June 11.
Volunteers will meet at 12:30pm, at the Douglass Community Center, on
both dates. Please contact our office if you’re willing to help!
In the last edition of eNews,
I mistakenly wrote that Mayor Greg Fischer’s new budget recommends spending
$1,240,662 on paving and $64,515 on sidewalk repairs in District 8, and
$25,434,500 on paving and $1,000,000 on sidewalk repairs citywide, in FY18. The correct numbers are $10,825 on sidewalk
repairs in D-8, and $16,250,500 on paving and $1,034,236 on sidewalk repairs
citywide.
Satellite office hours at the Douglass Community
Center are cancelled for Memorial Day Weekend. Visit me again at the DCC on
Friday, June 2 from 1-4pm.
Best Regards,
Councilman Brandon Coan
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