District 8 Streets Report: Why Don’t We Do It in the Road

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

Of all the “thought-provoking and consequential” meetings promised above, none is likely to engender more robust discussion and perhaps stronger feelings than the presentation of improvement recommendations for public comment as part of the Bardstown Road/Baxter Avenue Safety Study, scheduled for 6:00pm Thursday, April 19 at Highland Community Ministries (in the gym), 936 Barret Ave.  Urbanists, mark your calendars.

The goal of this study – which kicked-off November 7, 2017 by presenting the existing conditions and planning process and obtaining public input regarding problem areas and possible solutions – is to identify solutions for improving safety and mobility for all Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue users between Broadway and Interstate 264, with an emphasis on pedestrians and bicyclists. 

I’ve seen the results – vetted and cleared by the Louisville Metro Director of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet – with my own eyes, and the proposed changes are significant.  Spoiler Alert: they do not include bike lanes but everything else you can imagine is on the table.  (So long as you don’t imagine a monorail.) 

If the Bardstown Road/Baxter Avenue Safety Plan is adopted and implemented and the Highlands Management District is established, then the character and quality of the commercial corridor will be fundamentally transformed and, in my opinion, vastly improved.  

* * *

My guest on Eight More Miles: the District 8 Podcast this month will be Assistant Director for Streets and Roads Operations in the Public Works Department, Jeff Brown.  Jeff oversees all city road issues and, so, we have quite a bit to talk with him about!  We’ll record the show Friday (3/30), publish it early next week and promote it via social media.  I hope you enjoy! 

Visit the District 8 Streets Information page here.  

District 8 Development Report: Everybody’s Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey

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. 

As a matter of policy and practice, I do not intervene or in any manner express any opinion about any land use case pending before Louisville Metro Government unless and until it reaches the Metro Council for action (the exception being cases that come before me in my role as a member of the Historic Landmarks & Preservation Districts Commission).

Notwithstanding, I feel that it is my obligation to draw attention to the fact that an openly contested application for development having some neighborhood notoriety has been scheduled for hearing before the Planning Commission on Thursday, April 5 during Spring Break; the project being a condo tower proposed for Cherokee Road between Bonnycastle and Alta Avenues across from Cherokee Park (see below).  

In no way am I ascribing impure motives to the applicant or negligence to planning staff in the scheduling decision but unless arrangements have been made to broadcast the hearing live via two-way satellite between Louisville, Destin, Naples and Seaside then I think the proceeding suffers somewhat from poor form.

Development proposals within the realm of reason should be decided on the merits pursuant to due process with fundamental fairness and reasonable considerations afforded to all parties.  If you care to comment in support, in opposition or neither in support nor opposition of the application but will be unavailable to attend the hearing on April 5, you may email case manager Joel Dock at joel.dock@louisvilleky.gov or call him at (502) 574-5860 to have your voice made part of the record for decision.    

Over the Last Two Weeks

On March 14, the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) recommended approval for the proposed demolition of non-contributing additions at 814 & 816 Cherokee Rd.  18COA1040

On March 14, the ARC discussed the proposed demolition of the existing garage and construction of a new carriage house at 2009 Baringer Ave.  The application also includes a proposal for a retaining wall in the front yard along the public sidewalk.  This discussion will be continued on April 11.  18COA1033

On March 19, the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA) denied the application for a conditional use permit to allow a short-term rental in an R-5B Zoning District at 2211 Longest Ave.  17CUP1087

On March 19, BOZA denied the application for a conditional use permit to allow a short-term rental at 2312 Glenmary Ave.  17CUP1083

Over the Next Two Weeks

On April 2 at 1:00pm, BOZA will hold a public meeting to review a proposal for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a short-term rental in an R-5B Zoning District at 1267 Willow Ave.  The meeting will be held at 514 W. Liberty St.  17CUP1113

On April 5 at 1:00pm, the Planning Commission will hold a public meeting to review a proposal for a Change in Zoning from R-7 (Multi-Family Residential) to R-8A (Multi-Family Residential), Detailed District Development Plan, Variance for a structure to exceed the infill established height range and be 6-stories or 76 feet in height, Variance to eliminate the required private yard, and Waiver to not provide a sidewalk along Cherokee Rd. for a proposed multi-family development at 1576 Cherokee Rd.  The meeting will be held at 514 W. Liberty St.  17ZONE1031

On April 11 at 4:30pm, the ARC will hold a public meeting to continue the review of the proposed demolition of the existing garage and construction of a new carriage house at 2009 Baringer Ave.  The application also includes a proposal for a retaining wall in the front yard along the public sidewalk.  The meeting will be held at 444 S. Fifth St., Conference Room 101.  18COA1033

Click here to view meeting agendas, download supporting documents and live-stream all planning and zoning public meetings. Visit the District 8 Development Information page here.

District 8 Crime Report: Two of Us

The following Crime Report is adapted from the last two 5th Division Weekly Crime Updates (3/11/18 - 3/24/18) provided by Sgt. Stuart Hamilton.  Please note the referenced maps cover the entire Fifth Division, not just District 8.   

Part of our strategic plan to organize against crime in District 8 involves coordinating the efforts of LMPD and the Strathmoor Village Police Department.  This initiative began last fall with – what else? – a meeting between 5th Division Commander Major Aubrey Gregory and SVPD Chief Joe Renzi.  The lawmen have had two follow-up meetings approximately 45 days apart from each other, and they plan on continuing these 45-day meetings as this collaboration has been beneficial to both agencies.  They have been able to identify a thief who was breaking into cars in both Strathmoor Village and the 5th Division’s Beat 4, where the geographical areas border each other.  Chief Renzi had video of the suspect and LMPD was able to locate and arrest him.  Further, Chief Renzi and Major Gregory were able to ensure quick and accurate exchange of information between their personnel working the streets by having two LMPD radios placed in SVPD patrol cars.  If some emergency situation should ever occur, this will enable the officers to talk to each other directly instead of having information relayed through two different dispatch centers.  This contact has been such a success that Major Gregory hopes to try and replicate these 45-day meetings with other agencies that border the 5th Division, as well.

Robbery -  There were two reported robberies in District 8 this reporting period.  As described verbatim by Sgt. Hamilton,

“1) On Tuesday 3/13/18 at 2:24pm at the Speedway located at 1101 Bardstown Rd the victim was shoved up against his car and his wallet was grabbed out of his hand by an unknown B/M.  Suspect described as an older B/M with a mustache wearing a black & red hat, long grey coat and tan pants.

2) On Tuesday 3/20/18 at 2:40am in the 1300 block of Winter Ave. the victim stated he was given […] by suspect when the B/M suspect in the backseat pulled a knife on the victim and demanded cash. Victim escaped but left his belongings in the vehicle. Suspects were driving a white 4 door sedan driven by a W/F.”

Burglary -  There were nine reported burglaries this period, which was an increase from the previous reporting period (2).  Three were in Beat 2, five were in Beat 3 and one was in Beat 4.  Six of the burglaries were residential and three were businesses.  In four of the burglaries access was gained through an unlocked door or window.  See maps here and here for more details.

Auto Theft -  We had seven reported auto thefts for the period, which was an increase from the previous reporting period (6).  Six were in Beat 2 and one was in Beat 4.  In four of the thefts keys were used, two were by unknown means and the remaining one appears to be unfounded.  See maps here and here for more details. 

Theft from Automobile -  There were a total of 16 thefts from autos, which was an increase from the previous reporting period (10).  Six were left unlocked, three were by windows broken out or other force and six were by unknown means.  Beat 2 was the most impacted with eight thefts.  We continue to see catalytic converters being stolen off of Honda Elements and Ford Econolines.  Please remember to lock your vehicles and take your valuables out of your car.  See maps here and here for more details.

2018 District 8 “Unlocked” Crimes Tracker – 47/145= 32.4%  

2018 over 2017 District 8 CompStat Data (Period 2018 11) 

If you have any questions or want to discuss anything in these crime reports, please email LMPD 5th Division District Resource Officers at: 5thdivlmpd@louisvilleky.gov.  Visit the District 8 Crime Information page here.

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.

MAR 28          6:00pm                    JCPS and Louisville Metro Town and Gown Hall Meeting               

MAR 29          6:00pm                    Public Meeting for Proposed Highlands Management District

APR 2            8:30am                    Board of Zoning Adjustment Public Meeting 17CUP1113 1267                                                                Willow Ave       

APR 2            6:00pm                    Public Meeting for Proposed Highlands Management District

APR 4            6:30pm                    Highlands-Douglass Neighborhood Association Meeting               

APR 5            1:00pm                    Planning Commission Public Meeting 17ZONE1031 1576                                                                        Cherokee Rd     

APR 5            7:00pm                    City of Kingsley Meeting              

APR 6            1:00 to 4:00pm        Councilman Coan Satellite Office Hours at the Douglass                                                                          Community Center         

APR 9            6:30pm                    City of Strathmoor Village Meeting         

APR 10          7:00pm                    Bonnycastle Homestead Association 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 and speedy recovery from a broken leg to All-District 8 First Team crime reporter Darrin Riddle of the Original Highlands!

2. Shout-out to District 8 resident Dr. Charlotte Stites on the grand opening of the Smoketown Family Wellness Center! 

3. Shout-out to Gresham, Smith and Partners for receiving a Merit Award of Achievement for Communication from the Kentucky Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for the firm’s design for Beechwood Park!

4. Shout-out to Claire Cummins, a 5th grader at Bloom Elementary School, for trying to start a recycling program at the Germantown Ballpark! – and shout-out to Councilman Pat Mulvihill (D-10) for trying to make Claire’s dream a reality!

5. Shout-out to Kentucky Distillers’ Association Director of Social Responsibility Ali Edelstein and the entire Safe Ride KY coalition for helping us to give 723 safe rides home from District 8 drinking establishments since St. Patrick’s Day alone!  Email me to join in ending impaired driving in the Highlands!

6. Shout-out to the Dundee Candy Shop for nearly 80 years in business, and to the Sweet Spot Candy Shop for keeping the tradition alive! 

7. Shout-out to Public Works Engineering Supervisor Matt Haines for meeting with Carlton Terrace neighbors and me in the field to discuss plans for repairing District 8’s lowest-rated road! 

8. Finally, shout-out to Louisville Cardinals Women’s Basketball for advancing to the Final Four!  We believe you can so you will!!

In Two Weeks: The Q2 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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