District 8 Streets Report: Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley

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

District 8, we have an alleys problem – which means we have an alleys opportunity, as well.  The problem is that both Louisville Metro Government and property owners and occupants alike largely ignore alleys.  The vast majority of alleys (and all the alleys in District 8) have no names.  Unlike with other streets, Public Works doesn’t measure and track the general condition of alleys for paving purposes.  Indeed, the only money for alleys in the city budget this year is $100,000, which must be matched 50/50 by Council Members’ Capital Infrastructure Funding and is limited to $10,000 per project.  (Compared to $25 million for paving roadways and making street improvements, this is woefully insufficient, and I intend to fight for alleys in next year’s budget.)  Many alleys lack streetlights and, in any case, neither LG&E nor Public Works practices preventive maintenance.  Despite it being the responsibility of the adjacent property owner/occupier to remove all rubbish, weeds, trash, waste and litter from the center line of the alley that borders the property to the property line, many do not.  As a result of all the above, too many of our alleys are dark, dingy, overgrown, unwelcoming and downright hazardous, which negatively impacts public safety, sanitation, parking and more.     

The opportunity is that District 8 has a magnificent network of alleys just waiting to be reclaimed!  We would be foolish not to do so – for safe transportation routes, places for creative expression and commerce – so I’m looking for a few good women and men (and I’m looking at you, urbanist friends) to help me make sneakin’ a thing of the past.  

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Here are the upcoming paving and sidewalk projects in District 8:

Paving

Over the last two weeks, safety improvements began on Lexington Rd (from Payne St to Grinstead Dr).  These remain ongoing and include milling, repaving and restriping.  The Lexington Road Safety Project should be completed by mid-October.

Due to situations beyond Public Works’ control, the District 8 FY 2018 Paving Plan repairs estimated to begin over the next two weeks (Clarendon Ave, from Montrose Ave to Peale Ave; Dahlia Dr, from Eastern Pkwy to Summit Ave; Lakeside Dr, from Tyler Ln to Emerson Ave; and Summit Dr, from Barret Ave to Dead End) have been temporarily delayed.  Notwithstanding, Public Works advises that all District 8 paving projects already having estimated start dates should be completed by November (and not carry over into spring 2018).

Sidewalks

Public Works advises that all  District 8 FY 2018 Sidewalk Plan repairs should start no later than October.

Scheduling information is subject to change. Please let us know if you observe any discrepancies in projects reported as completed.

District 8 Development Report: Long Term Relationships

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 first wrote about Short Term Rentals in the March 28 edition of eNews, and it is an issue I’ve fielded a dozen or so times this year, usually in the form of complaints about hosts being bad neighbors and/or allegations that they’re operating illegally, such as non-resident hosts operating STRs (in residential-zoned properties) without Conditional Use Permits. 

As a registered, occasional Airbnb host myself, I have a personal, in addition to public, interest in ensuring that Louisville’s Short Term Rental law is designed to sustain happy, healthy, long term relationships between hosts, guests, neighbors, government and other stakeholders.  That’s why – now that the city’s law has been in effect for a full year – I asked the Metro Council Planning/Zoning, Land Design and Development Committee (on which I serve) to host a special discussion on STR regulations, which commenced September 5 with a presentation by  Planning & Design Services.  Video of PDS’s presentation and the accompanying PowerPoint are available here, and they are well worth your time if you’re interested in Short Term Rentals.

The special discussion will continue October 3 with presentations by the Revenue Commission and Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

Louisville’s STR law, like that of other cities, remains a work in progress in a rapidly changing world.  I think it is likely that we’ll see changes to it following this special discussion and an opportunity for public comment.  If you have concerns or suggestions about Short Term Rentals, please send them my way.  The sharing economy is here to stay – and in my opinion that’s a good thing – so let’s make it an economy that works for everyone.

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Over the Last Two Weeks:

On September 11, the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA) recommended approval of a Variance to allow an accessory structure to encroach into the rear and side setbacks  at 2172 Emerson Ave. 17VARIANCE1050

On September 11, BOZA recommended approval of a Conditional Use Permit that is not the primary residence of the owner at 1924 Stevens Ave. 17CUP1036

Over the Next Two Weeks:

On Tuesday and Wednesday, September 19th and 20th at 7:00 PM two charrettes will be held for the proposed Planned Development District rezoning at the intersection of Lexington Road and Grinstead Drive. The meetings will be held at Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana Learning Center, 2115 Lexington Road. 16ZONE1044

On Wednesday, September 20 at 4:30 PM there will be a Cherokee Triangle Architectural Review Committee meeting to review a proposal to replace the existing asphalt shingles on the roof of 2014 Cherokee Parkway with a synthetic barrel tile. The meeting will be held at 444 S. Fifth Street, Conference Room 101. 17COA1205

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

Follow the links below for as little or much recent crime information as you want.  At the very least, I recommend the Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Crime Reports.

Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Crime Reports, 8/27/17 - 9/9/17 

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

5th Division Weekly Crime Update, 9/3/17 - 9/9/17

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 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.

SEP 12   7:00pm                 Bonnycastle Homestead Association Meeting

SEP 13   7:00pm                 Belknap Neighborhood Association Meeting

SEP 14   6:00pm                 Metro Council Meeting

SEP 14   7:00pm                 Deer Park Neighborhood Association Meeting

SEP 15   9:00am                 Coffee with a Cop

SEP 15   1:00 - 4:00pm       Councilman Coan Satellite Office Hours at the DCC

SEP 17   4:00 - 6:00pm       Sundays in September Jazz Festival

SEP 18   6:00pm                 Original Highlands Neighborhood Association Meeting

SEP 18   6:00pm                 German Paristown Neighborhood Association Meeting

SEP 18   6:30pm                 City of Seneca Gardens Meeting

SEP 18   7:00pm                 Cherokee Triangle Neighborhood Association Meeting

SEP 19   7:00pm                  Neighborhood Meeting for Planned Development District at                                                                      Lexington Road and Grinstead Drive 16ZONE1044

SEP 20   4:30pm                 Cherokee Triangle Architectural Review Committee Meeting 17COA1205

SEP 20   7:00pm                 Neighborhood Meeting for Planned Development District at Lexington                                                     Road and Grinstead Drive 16ZONE1044

SEP 22   1:00 - 4:00pm       Councilman Coan Satellite Office Hours at the DCC

SEP 23   9:00am                 Bike to Beat Cancer

SEP 24   4:00 - 6:00pm       Sundays in September Jazz Festival

SEP 25   7:00pm                 District 8 Advisory Board Meeting

SEP 26   7:00pm                 City of Strathmoor Manor 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 Bardstown Road BID Exploratory Committee Members Andy Blieden, Lamont Breland, Jim Dahlem, Gordo Jackson, Christy Jarboe, Fran Jasper, Michael Jones, Marty McGraw, Sandy Metts, Tom O'Shea, Larry Rother, Jennifer Rubenstein and project partners Jim Baines, Ken Herndon and Rebecca Matheny for collectively contributing hundreds of hours (and counting) towards this effort!

2. Shout-out to Deputy Director of Advanced Planning Jeff O’ Brien for taking a leadership role in both the Bardstown Road safety and BROD extension projects!

3. Shout-out to Public Works Signs and Markings for fabricating 96(!) different peak hour restriction signs along Baxter Ave and Bardstown Rd in support of our I Can Get You a Tow Campaign! 

4. Shout-out to City of Strathmoor Village Commissioner John Barrow for helping to lead SV’s public safety effort, including building out the city’s neighborhood watch network and coordinating Louisville Metro and SV police forces!

5. Shout-out to the Bristol Bar & Grille for 40 fantastic years (and counting) and more green chili wontons than one city has any business eating!

6. Shout-out to the mighty Louisville Cardinals football team: Beat Clemson!

7. Shout-out to coach Todd Sharp, trainer Patrick Mahoney and the mighty Louisville Ladybirds: you deserve scholarships, just like all the other student-athletes!

8. Finally, shout-out to my dear friends Andy and Alicia Pahl Cornelius (and daughter Isla) as life offers them a new opportunity away from Louisville.  On behalf of hundreds of us who love you, Godspeed and come back soon! 

In Two Weeks: The Drive Slow 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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