District 8 Streets Report: The Other Shoe Dropped

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

The preliminary concept for the Bardstown Road Corridor Safety Plan was presented to the public for comment at an open meeting, in the media and online last Thursday.  You can view the April 19 PowerPoint, video clips and visuals of the proposed plan in segments – which are extremely helpful to understanding the concept – here.  Or, you can just settle for this 280-character tweetcap of the details:

Remove reversible lane lights & peak-hour parking restrictions. Add dedicated left-turn lanes at the 14 signalized intersections. Add 5 new/replace existing crosswalks with bump-outs, improved striping & visibility. Add center turn lanes, new sidewalks & dedicated TARC pull-offs.   

and the proffered benefits and trade-offs: 

+A more predictable roadway meeting driver expectations. +Safer pedestrian facilities. +Fewer conflict points for drivers to crash. +Removes parking enforcement issue, visual clutter & confusion caused by the lane lights. -Less vehicle capacity during peak hours. #CompleteStreets

So far, reaction to the plan has ranged from very satisfied to legitimately concerned over the loss of on-street parking and traffic spillover onto neighborhood streets.  We appreciate all feedback and suggestions, which will go toward informing our revised concept, to be completed later this spring.  You can complete the online survey here.

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Here are the upcoming paving projects over the next two weeks in District 8.  These are 2017 Louisville Water Company projects that were pushed off until this spring.  We expect to have all 2017 LWC paving projects completed by June 30.

Casselberry Rd (1811-1829);

Deer Lane (from 1631 to the intersection of Deerwood Ave and Newburg Rd and 1701 to the intersection of Deerwood Ave and Norris Pl);

Deer Park Ave (from 1736 Fernwood to 1801 Norris Pl);

Deerwood Ave (from 1635 to Newburg Rd and 1700 to Norris Pl);

Lauderdale Rd (1810-1840 and 1903-2204);

Norris Pl (1600-1611, 1631-1641 and 1804-1816); and

Village Rd (2010-2028, 2102-2124, 2204-2230 and 2238-2314).  

Visit the District 8 Streets Information page here.        

District 8 Development Report: Tumbling Dice

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. 

The Planning Commission heard and recommended the Cherokee Springs case to the Metro Council for denial last Thursday (see below).  I live-streamed some of the nearly four-hour hearing (already in progress) and watched the rest of the video the morning after.  I had no inkling what the outcome would be, exactly, but I knew one party would be happy and the other wouldn’t.  I think that’s a shame.  There was a project both sides could have lived with somewhere in the wreckage.  This is the case almost every time.

The following goal statement (one of five) from my strategic plan is meant to be instructive to both development applicants and opponents:

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.

I cannot save either side from the order of things.  Take your chances as you will – or learn to compromise.    

Over the Last Two Weeks

On April 11, the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) recommended approval of the proposed demolition of the existing garage and construction of a new carriage house at 2009 Baringer Ave.  The application also included a proposal for a retaining wall in the front yard along the public sidewalk. 18COA1033

On April 11, the ARC recommended approval of a proposal for a landscape wall in the front yard along the public sidewalk at 2143 Baringer Ave.  18COA1038

On April 16, the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA) reviewed a Conditional Use Permit Modification to expand Calvary Cemetery and a Variance to construct a wall up to 12 ft. 10 in. height along the Newburg Rd. property line.  The discussion will continue at the next BOZA meeting on May 7.  17CUP1114

On April 19, the Planning Commission denied 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.  17ZONE1031

Over the Next Two Weeks

On April 30 at 1:00pm, BOZA will hold a public meeting to review a Variance to allow a fence to exceed 4 feet in height in the required front yard setback of a double-frontage lot at 2330 Brookside Drive.  The meeting will be held at 514 W. Liberty St.  18VARIANCE1030

On May 7 at 1:00pm, BOZA will hold a public meeting to continue review a CUP Modification to expand Calvary Cemetery and a Variance to construct a wall up to 12 ft. 10 in. height along the Newburg Rd. property line.  The meeting will be held at 514 W. Liberty St.  17CUP1114

On May 7 at 1:00pm, BOZA will hold a public meeting to review a Variance to allow a structure to encroach into the required rear yard setback at 1202 Bardstown Rd.  The meeting will be held at 514 W. Liberty St.  18VARIANCE1035

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: Here Kitty, Kitty

The following Crime Report is adapted from the last two 5th Division Weekly Crime Updates (4/8 - 4/21/18) provided by Sgt. Stuart Hamilton.  Please note the referenced maps cover the entire Fifth Division, not just District 8.   

There is a cat burglar in our midst – a catalytic converter thief (see below) – and in LMPD still shots he appears to drive a gray 2013-18 Nissan Altima.  If you see this man, please call 911.  Thank you.

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

1)     On 4/9/18 at 7:10pm subject entered The Home Skate Shop located at 1553 Bardstown Rd. and pointed a gun at the victim and asked how much money was at the business.  Subject was still on scene when officers arrived.  Arrested - Paul Catlett W/M

2)     On 4/16/18 at 5:55am victim stated that she was in the 1400 block of Highland Ave. when an unknown B/M shoved her and took her purse.  The suspect is a B/M approximately 29 years of age.

Burglary -  There were four reported burglaries this period, which was a slight increase from the previous reporting period (3).  There was one in Beat 3 and three in Beat 4.  All four burglaries were residential.  In two of the burglaries, access was gained through an unlocked door or window.  The remaining two were forced entry.  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 (1).  Two were in Beat 2, three were in Beat 3 and two were in Beat 4.  Keys were used in two of the thefts, four were by unknown means and one was taken by forced entry.  See maps here and here for more details. 

Theft from Automobile -  There were 14 thefts from auto, which was an increase from the previous reporting period (11).  Two were left unlocked, six were by windows broken out or other force and six were by unknown means.  Beat 2 was the most impacted with eight thefts.  Beat 3 had four and Beat 4 had the remaining two thefts.  We continue to see catalytic converters being stolen off of Honda Elements and Ford Econolines.  We have also been experiencing heavy truck and construction equipment battery thefts.  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 – 61/185 = 33%

Q2: 6/25= 24%

Q1: 55/160= 34.4%  

2018 over 2017 District 8 CompStat Data (Period 2018 15)

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.

APRIL 26         6:00pm                    Metro Council Meeting

APRIL 26         7:00pm                    Tyler Park Neighborhood Association Meeting

APRIL 27         9:00am                    Coffee with a Cop

APRIL 27         1:00 - 4:00pm          Councilman Coan Satellite Office Hours at the Douglass                                                                           Community Center

APRIL 27 - 29  9:00am - 5:00pm     Road Closure: Cherokee Triangle Art Fair

APRIL 30         1:00pm                     Board of Zoning Adjustment Public Meeting 18VARIANCE1030                                                               2330 Brookside Drive

MAY 2              6:30pm                    Highlands-Douglass Neighborhood Association Meeting

MAY 3              6:00pm                    Metro Council Meeting

MAY 3              7:00pm                    City of Kingsley Meeting

MAY 4              2:30pm                    Kentucky Oaks

MAY 5              10:00am                  Kentucky Derby

MAY 7              1:00pm                    BOZA Public Meeting 18VARIANCE1035 1202 Bardstown Road

MAY 8              7:00pm                    Bonnycastle Homestead Association Meeting

MAY 9              7:00pm                    Belknap Neighborhood 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 to R.G. Dunlop, Jake Ryan, Laura Ellis and everyone at the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting for winning a Peabody Award(!!) for “The Pope’s Long Con!”  #iHeartLouisvillePublicMedia

2. Shout-out to State Senator Morgan McGarvey for his gratuitous use of Grateful Dead references in his final 2018 Kentucky General Assembly Recap of the Legislative Week!  Find his thoughts on the final days of the legislative session on his Facebook page (April 19 at 12:02pm)!

3. Shout-out to fellow anti-litter crusaders Michael and Andrew Trager-Kusman for plogging along with me in the rain two Saturdays ago!  The filth on Baxter/Bardstown is coming to an end one way or another.

4. Shout-out for team building!  We totally failed to escape from the Warehouse but had a lot of fun trying!

5. Shout-out to Carolyn Waters’ Bellarmine University Urban Ecology and Environmental Science class for inviting me over to talk city policy last week!  Stay tuned for more information about the trail plan for the South Fork of Beargrass Creek! 

6. Shout-out to Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton for loaning me New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s new book, “In the Shadow of Statues.”  I finally finished it!

7. Shout-out and big hug to Financial Advisor, chocoholic and one of my favorite people in Metro Government, Beth Stenberg!  Welcome back!

8. Finally, shout-out to everyone!  Happy Derby, Louisville!  This is us!

In Two Weeks: The Dollar Stretching 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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