District 8 Streets Report: Survey Says

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

The results are in.  One thousand one hundred seventy-three (1,173) respondents completed the second Bardstown Road Corridor Safety Plan survey and about half support and half oppose trading the reversible traffic lights for left-turn lanes at signalized intersections and permanent on-street parking.  The rest of the preliminary concept the majority strongly supports.

Review all 177 pages of comments and suggestions here, including many new ideas that will likely make their way into the final set of recommendations – or you can read our consultant’s four-page summary instead and take their word for it.   

More on the project page, here; final report coming in August.

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Construction on the Barret and Castlewood Roadway Safety Improvement Project is scheduled to begin June 4 and be completed by August.  The link takes you to a detailed description of the project, including renderings of the finished product.  The full schematic is here.

To explore bike infrastructure (and the potential for new bike infrastructure) in the Highlands and other parts of the city, take a tour with Bicycling for Louisville as part of their Spring Ride Series.  

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By the next edition of the Streets Report (June 6), I expect to have our District 8 FY 2019 paving and sidewalk plans – these are new projects – ready to share with you.  (Speed hump plans are about a month away, according to Public Works.)  In the meantime, here are the upcoming paving projects over the next two weeks in District 8.  An asterisk (*) denotes 2017 Louisville Water Company projects that were pushed off until this spring: 

Carlton Ter

Clarendon Ave

Hepburn Ave* (from Edward Ave to near Baxter Ave)

Lakeside Dr

Rufer Ave* (from Barret Ave to Rubel Ave); and

Speed Ave* (2009-2034 and 2102-2204).

Edgeland Ave, Everett Ave and Everett Ter will be paved by June 30.  Castlewood Ave and Winter Ave will be completed in conjunction with the Barret/Castlewood project.

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Finally, two quick road closure reminders: 1) the Louisville Water Company expects Grinstead Dr at Bardstown Rd to remain closed for a 48-inch water main repair and road restoration project until at least May 25; and 2) the intersection of Baxter Ave and Lexington Rd will be closed for several weeks beginning May 29 so that MSD can work on a tunnel project.  The inconvenience is regrettable but a traffic headache beats a waterborne disease, right?    

Visit the District 8 Streets Information page here.  Scheduling information is subject to change. Please let us know if you observe any discrepancies in projects reported as completed.      

District 8 Development Report: Law of the Land

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. 

Since taking office, reform of historic landmark and demolition policies – two separate issues that have been tortured and conflated since 2012 – have been top legislative priorities of mine.  Knowing my interest in this, former Metro Council President David Yates appointed me to the Landmarks Commission last year and President David James reappointed me this year.

So, for more than a year now, I’ve been working on drafting revisions to both the Landmarks Ordinance, LMCO §§ 32.250 et seq., and the Wrecking Ordinance, LMCO §§ 150.110 et seq.  Landmarks reform has been a true group (i.e., subcommittee) effort, while the demolition of historic structures question is one I’ve tackled individually (although, not alone; in fact, with the help of many folks!).

I’m pleased to report that after all this time I can see change coming on the horizon.  I filed a revised draft of my ordinance repealing and replacing the Wrecking Ordinance on Monday, and it will be introduced at Thursday’s Metro Council Meeting.  Additionally, our Landmarks subcommittee presented our draft changes to the full Commission at our annual meeting last Thursday; the Commission will review and forward them to the Metro Council for debate and voting.  You can review and comment on the Landmarks Ordinance recommendations here.    

I ought to mention one other thing: I have resigned from the Landmarks Commission.  [Dramatic pause.]

To be more specific, in the course of our recent legal research, the County Attorney’s Office determined that simultaneous service in both offices of Metro Council Member and Landmarks Commissioner violates the doctrine of incompatible offices.  That is, legally, it is contrary to fundamental fairness, due process and public policy for a Council member to exercise decision-making authority in one capacity and then to review it in another.  See, LaGrange City Council v. Hall Bros. Co. of Oldham Cty., Inc., 3 S.W.3d 765 (Ky. App. 1999).  

Oops. 

This will have to change going forward.  In the meantime, I have resigned in order to avoid further complicating Landmarks Commission business in the present.  Assistant County Attorney Paul Whitty and I explained further at the LC’s annual meeting (20:48 / 2:04:55).

I didn’t foresee this particular plot twist when I set out to do this work but I find it to be a promising development, actually.  In my opinion, the more that land use is decided as a matter of law rather than a matter of politics, the better.  In retrospect, I guess removing the politician from the equation should have seemed like an obvious solution.    

Over the Last Two Weeks

On May 21, the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA) recommended the approval of a Variance to allow a fence to exceed 42 in. in height in the required street side yard setback at 1259 Bassett Ave.  18VARIANCE1040

Over the Next Two Weeks

On May 30, at 5:00pm, a neighborhood meeting will be held to discuss a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a short-term rental at 1303 Goddard Ave.  The meeting will be held at 1303 Goddard Ave.  18CUP1057

On May 31, at 4:00pm, a neighborhood meeting will be held to discuss a CUP for a short-term rental at 1404 Goddard Ave.  The meeting will be held at 1404 Goddard Ave.  18CUP1058

On June 4, at 1:00pm, BOZA will hold a public meeting to review a CUP for a short-term rental at 2027 Maryland Ave.  The meeting will be held at 514 W. Liberty St.  18CUP1028 

On June 4, at 1:00pm, BOZA will hold a public meeting to review a CUP for a short-term rental at 2122 Edgehill Rd.  The meeting will be held at 514 W. Liberty St.  17CUP1088

On June 4, at 7:00pm, a neighborhood meeting will be held to discuss a CUP for off-street parking on property located at 1145 and 1169 Eastern Pkwy.  The meeting will be held at 1169 Eastern Pkwy., on the lower level of the Medical Arts Building.  18CUP1062

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: Grand Theft (from) Auto

The following Crime Report is adapted from the last two 5th Division Weekly Crime Updates (5/6/18 - 5/19/18) provided by Sgt. Stuart Hamilton.  Please note the referenced maps cover the entire Fifth Division, not just District 8.   

Robbery – There was one reported robbery in the 5th Division this reporting period.

"On 5/13/18 at 2:00am the victim reported that he was exiting his vehicle at Bardstown & Longest when an unknown subject pushed him up against his vehicle and took his credit cards. No further description given of suspect. This report will be cleared as unfounded since the victim has changed his story several times as to the events of what occurred and has been uncooperative."

Burglary -  There were two reported burglaries this reporting period, a decrease from last reporting period (5). Both were in Beat 2. One was residential, the other was a business. Forced entry was used in both instances. See maps here and here for more detail.

Auto Theft - We had two reported auto thefts over the last two weeks, which was the same as last reporting period (2). Both were in Beat 2. Keys were used in one of the thefts. The remaining was by unknown means.  See maps here and here for more detail.

Theft from Automobile - We had seventeen thefts from automobile over the last two weeks, which was an increase from the last reporting period (6).  There were nine in Beat 2, seven in Beat 3 and one in Beat 4.  Four of the vehicles were left unlocked or had a window open. Five were by unknown means. The remaining eight were by force. Please remember to lock your vehicles and take your valuables out of your car.  See maps here and here for more detail.

2018 District 8 “Unlocked” Crimes Tracker – 69/219 = 31.5%

Q2: 14/59= 23.7%

Q1: 55/160= 34.4%

2018 over 2017 District 8 CompStat Data (Period 2018 20)

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.

MAY 24                        6:00pm             Metro Council Meeting

MAY 24                        7:00pm             Tyler Park Neighborhood Association Meeting 

MAY 25                        1:00 - 4:00pm   Councilman Coan Satellite Office Hours at the Douglass                                                                          Community Center

MAY 30                        8:30am             Highland Commerce Guild

MAY 30                        5:00pm             Neighborhood Meeting 18CUP1057 1303 Goddard Ave

MAY 31                        4:00pm             Neighborhood Meeting 18CUP1058 1404 Goddard Ave

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

JUNE 4                        1:00pm             BOZA Public Meeting 17CUP1088 2122 Edgehill Rd

JUNE 4                        1:00pm             BOZA Public Meeting 18CUP1028 2027 Maryland Ave

JUNE 4                        7:00pm             District 8 Advisory Board Meeting

JUNE 4                        7:00pm             Neighborhood Meeting 18CUP1062 1145 and 1169 Eastern                                                                     Pkwy

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 welcome! – to new District 8 intern Sarah Morgan Pennington!  Sarah is a dual degree candidate for a J.D./M.A. of Political Science at the University of Louisville, she has B.A. degrees in English and Political Science from U of L, has been involved in both the honors program and the Student Government Association and has experience working in the Boyd County Public Defender’s Office.  We’re lucky to have her!  

2. Shout-out to District 8 resident and duPont Manual H.S. student journalist Norah Wulkopf for covering the May 10 Metro Council Meeting and asking hard-hitting questions to a bi-partisan panel of Council members afterward!

3. Shout-out to District 8 resident Ellen Oost for being named director of development at Louisville Public Media – what a perfect hire!

4. Shout-out to WFPK for bringing J. Roddy Walston and the Business (along with Sunflower Bean and Parker Millsap) back to Waterfront Wednesday, May 30!  Fun fact: I “produced” Rod & Co.’s first Louisville show (with opening act Eddie and the F***munkys) at Lisa’s Oak St. Lounge in 2007!

5. Shout-out to Bonnycastle business Barkstown Road owner Kim Reece for all she does on behalf of animal welfare in our community!  Check-out Insider Louisville’s 7 Questions with Kim!  

6. Shout-out to Police for arresting this idiot!  Louisville Metro Government’s graffiti (and litter!) abatement efforts are a fraction of what they need to be and I’m trying desperately to change that!

7. Shout-out to the 2018 RUX Louisville Cohort: Michael George, Kristin Hatten, Alison Huff, Taylor Killough, Joe Manning, Alix Mattingly, Sarah McCartt-Jackson, Daniel Martin Moore, Jake Ryan, Sarah Teeple, Kelsey Voit and, of course, the Queen Bee Savannah Barrett!  Dear Readers, if you don’t know about the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange, and please check it out and consider supporting this incredibly important, wonderful, beautiful work!

8. Finally, shout-out to everyone who voted yesterday (even if you had no idea about the judicial candidates; we need to do a better job educating people about the local justice system)! 

In Two Weeks: The Housekeeping 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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