District 8 Streets Report: M-E-T-H-O-D, Man

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

Dealing with District 8’s infrastructure challenges can be maddening, so I’m taking a methodical approach to building and fixing our broken public spaces.  This all starts with data gathering, which explains the ongoing speed hump demand survey, the bus stop audit we completed last weekend, the litter bin audit we’re conducting this weekend (volunteers, anyone?) and the sidewalk accessibility study we completed in April.  We’re partnering with Public Works and TARC to analyze this data, check it against our strategic plan and translate it into actionable work plans – with schedules and budgets – so that we can get the most bang for your buck, help the most people and achieve our policy goals to the best of our ability.  So, with that said, I have some early details of our new District 8 sidewalk repair plan to share with you.

This is necessary in the first place because Public Works doesn’t have a sidewalk repair plan of its own.  Unlike for paving, which Public Works measures and manages proactively, for sidewalk repair the Department basically depends on citizens to report problems; then it puts the broken sidewalks on a list and repairs them in the order they’re received until they run out of money.  Former Councilman Tom Owen spent heavily of District 8 discretionary funds in his last term to help eliminate the backlog of problem D-8 sidewalks and, as a result, today there are only 32 reported cases awaiting repair at an estimated cost of $89,536.  (Thanks, Tom!)  Public Works will continue to pay down this backlog using general funds, year-by-year.

The fact, however, is there are probably 1,000 pieces of sidewalk in District 8 that still need repair, so my plan identifies and prioritizes replacing all trip hazards greater than one inch (1+”) within 1/4 mile of D-8’s busiest bus stops using district discretionary and other funding.  That’s because these are the sidewalks seniors, citizens with disabilities and folks without other means of transport depend on most to access TARC and move freely around the city.  Our study revealed 88 such needed repairs totaling an estimated $218,747, including contingencies for tree removal, replacement and historic preservation.  We’re in the final stages now of enumerating each of the 88 repairs, grouping them into one of five project locations and budgeting and scheduling the projects.

You can expect to find our final report (including both backlogged and planned sidewalk repairs) here and on the District 8 Streets Information page soon but, in the meantime, here is a map of the new sidewalk repair plan project areas (the red circles).

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Speaking of the speed hump demand study, we’re still actively recruiting petition captains for many streets.  If you’re willing to knock doors on one or more of the following streets in your neighborhood, please let us know!  Call 574-1108 or email jasmine.masterson@louisvilleky.gov (and copy brandon.coan@louisvilleky.gov).

Belknap: Ashwood Dr, Clayton Rd, Dundee Rd, Dundee Way, Fleming Rd, Harvard Dr, Saratoga Dr, Sylvan Way, Yale Ave.

Bonnycastle: Casselberry Rd, Cowling Ave, Maryland Ave, Murray Ave, Sherwood Ave, Speed Ave.

Cherokee Gardens: Alta Vista Ct, Beals Branch Rd, Braeview Rd.

Cherokee Seneca: Alta Vista Rd, Red Fox Rd, Rostrevor Cir.

Cherokee Triangle: Baringer Ave, Everett Ave, Highland Ave, Longest Ave, Ray Ave, Willow Ave.

Deer Park: Alfresco Pl, Deer Park Ave, Deerwood Ave, Fernwood Ave, Hartman Ave, Richmond Dr, Roanoke Ave, Rosedale Ave, Rutherford Ave, Shady Ln, Stevens Ave.

Hawthorne: Alanmede Rd, Beaumont Rd, Bon Air Ave, Carson Way, Clarendon Ave, Curran Way, Dartmouth Ave, Gardiner Ln, Hawthorne Ave, Lancashire Ave, Wendell Ave.

Highlands Douglass: Casselberry Rd, Dorothy Ave, Douglass Blvd, Edgehill Rd, Eleanor Ave, Lauderdale Rd, Millvale Rd, Talbott Ave, Valletta Ln, Village Dr, Wallace Ave, Woodford Pl, Wrocklage Ave.

Tyler Park: Edenside Ave, Goddard Ave, Hill Rd, Royal Ave, Tyler Park Dr.

Upper Highlands:  Bunker Hill Dr, Dunbarton Wynde, Dundee Rd, Eleanor Ave, Emerson Ave, Falmouth Dr, Fraser Dr, Gladstone Ave, Sunny Ln, Sutherland Dr, Tartan Way, Tremont Ave, Tyler Ln, Whiteway Ave, Wickland Rd.

District 8 Development Report: Fight Test

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.

I’m personally involved in both of the “major” items contained in this report, as sponsor of the temporary “schools-in-neighborhoods” moratorium (not to be confused in any way with the issue of “neighborhood schools”), and as a Landmarks Commissioner set to hear the 1240 E. Broadway case, which has been rescheduled for next week.  I expect my ordinance, which passed out of committee last week without any drama – and with the tacit consent of the Builders and Realtors – to be approved by the full Metro Council this Thursday.  It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to speculate on the Landmarks case in any event, but for what it’s worth, I really have no idea what to expect or how it will turn out.  What’s most important to me in this case – like in the Stonecote Sudbury School case that inspired my ordinance, and in all development matters – is how it is conducted.  The following values statement is part of my strategic plan regarding my goal to protect our built environment:

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.   

This is what you can expect from me.

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Over the Last Two Weeks:

On May 30th, the Planning/Zoning, Land Design and Development Committee (on which I serve) passed an ordinance that I sponsored imposing a temporary moratorium on new private institutional uses in single family zoning districts until a study by the Planning Commission of land use regulations of these facilities can be reviewed by the Metro Council.  O-155-17

On June 5th, the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA) recommended approval of a conditional use permit for a short term rental of a dwelling unit that is not the primary residence of the host located at 1801 Tyler Parkway.  17CUP1022

On June 5th, BOZA recommended approval of a variance to allow a reduced private yard area located at 1306 Willow Ave.  17VARIANCE1027

Over the Next Two Weeks:

On Thursday June 8th, at 7:00pm, there will be a neighborhood meeting to discuss a request for a conditional use permit to allow a short-term rental for 1235 Rufer Ave. The meeting will be at 1235 Rufer Ave.

On Thursday June 15th, at 9:00am, there will be a Historic Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission meeting concerning the review of a petition request to designate the building and property located at 1240 E. Broadway as a Local Landmark.  The meeting will be at 514 West Liberty Street, Old Jail Building Courtroom.  17DESGNATION1001

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

District 8 Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Crime Reports: Got Us Working in Shifts

I mentioned in the last edition of D8NxNCRs that “we’re ramping-up District 8 public safety efforts on multiple fronts between Memorial Day and Labor Day to deal with school being out, longer days, hotter nights and continuing concerns over crime.”  But then I left that thought there to focus solely on promoting our May 24 Neighborhood Watch Workshop, so allow me to continue… 

In order to help prevent and deter crime in the Highlands this summer, I’m allocating approximately $11,000 in Neighborhood Development Funding (including $5,800 left over from Councilman Owen’s tenure) to provide for two additional police officers to patrol Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue, two additional shifts each, every weekend between now and Labor Day.  These officers will be mostly out of their cars, on the streets, visiting local businesses and eager to learn any information from you that can be useful in planning to make District 8 a safer place.  Please do say hello.

In the last edition of 8 Shout-Outs I also briefly mentioned Nextdoor.  Nextdoor is a potentially superior tool for us to share timely, important crime information with you and your neighbors but it is going to take us some time and experimentation to maximize its useful effectiveness.  In the meantime, please note: we CANNOT see your posts on Nextdoor, and neither can LMPD, so you CANNOT report a crime on Nextdoor. To report a crime, please call 911 if it’s an emergency, or dial 574-7111 (then press 5), if it's not.  

There is no elegant segue here but please, please, please lock your doors and remove all valuables in your vehicles from plain sight.  This is perhaps the simplest and most effective way we can all keep crime away from District 8 this summer – reduce the number of easy targets.   

Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Crime Reports, 5/21/17 - 6/2/17 

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). 

5th Division Weekly Crime Update, 5/28/17 - 6/3/17

To receive these Weekly Crime Updates every Monday via email or text, please Subscribe & Stay Informed.

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

District 8 Crime Information

If you have any questions or want to discuss anything in these 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 below and on the District 8 Events Calendar.

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.  For event location and other information, click here to visit District 8 Events online.

JUN 7, 2017         6:30pm                  Highlands-Douglass Neighborhood Association Meeting

JUN 8, 2017         6:00pm                  Metro Council Meeting

JUN 8, 2017         7:00pm                  Deer Park Neighborhood Association Meeting

JUN 9, 2017         1:00pm to 4:00pm  Councilman Coan Satellite Office Hours at the DCC

JUN 10, 2017       11:00am to 3:00pm 13th Annual Upper Highlands Neighborhood Festival!

JUN 11, 2017       12:30pm                 District 8 Litter Bin Audit

JUN 12, 2017       6:30pm                  City of Strathmoor Village Meeting

JUN 13, 2017       7:00pm                  Bonnycastle Homestead Association Meeting

JUN 14, 2017       7:00pm                  Belknap Neighborhood Association Meeting

JUN 15, 2017       9:00am                  Historic Landmarks and Preservation Commission                                                                          Meeting 17DESGNATION1001 1240 East Broadway

JUN 16, 2017      1:00pm to 4:00pm   Councilman Coan Satellite Office Hours at the DCC

JUN 19, 2017      6:00pm                   Original Highlands Neighborhood Association Meeting

JUN 19, 2017      6:00pm                   German Paristown Neighborhood Association Meeting

JUN 19, 2017      6:30pm                   City of Seneca Gardens Meeting

8 Shout-Outs: The Grateful 8th

1. Shout-out to Garage Bar for having the “District 8” on its cocktail menu! Bourbon, OJ, house tonic, lemon & Angostura bitters - $8!!   

2. Shout-out to Metro Council Clerk Stephen Ott for going above and beyond his ordinary duties to help us give form and structure to the District 8 Advisory Board!  

3. Shout-out to TARC employee, urban visionary and Instagrammer extraordinaire Nick Seivers for helping us lead the District 8 Bus Stop Audit last Sunday!

4. Shout-out to the Center for Accessible Living for performing a pro bono accessibility audit of the Douglass Community Center for us as we endeavor to secure the future of this great asset to District 8!

5. Shout-out to Metro Parks and Recreation Co-Ed Kickball leaguers and one day future champions the Bad News Blossoms!

6. Shout-out to District 8 resident, my friend and Director of Communications for the Office of the Mayor, Chris Poynter, on being named the National Association of Government Communicators’ 2017 Communicator of the Year!  Chris is a good man, a fun guy, an extremely hard worker and eminently deserving of this honor!

7. Shout-out to friend of District 8 and future big sister – two times! – Lucy George!

8. Finally, shout-out to District 8 residents and volunteer researchers Robert Kahne, Beverly Moore and Corey Shapiro for enthusiastically responding to my latest call for help! 

In Two Weeks: The First Five Minutes Edition

Thanks for reading, and tune back in two weeks!  

Councilman Brandon Coan   |   Louisville Metro Council   |   District 8

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601 West Jefferson Street, Third Floor

Louisville, Kentucky 40202

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