District 8 Streets Report: Knowing Is Better Than Wondering

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

Without further ado, here is the list of District 8 roads that the Public Works Division of Engineering plans to pave over the next three fiscal years.  Please don’t thank me if your street is on the list – and pretty please don’t harangue me if it’s not.  My pleadings and recommendations had minimal impact on the selection process.  

For example, I lobbied hard for Tyler Park Drive to be repaired in conjunction with the ongoing Barret/Castlewood project and Tyler Park Master Plan improvements, but to no avail.  So, while my highest hopes were a little disappointed, I’m satisfied this is a good and fair plan. 

By contrast, I’m thrilled with the new District 8 sidewalk repair plan!  Thanks to a partnership with the Engineering Division and TARC, we’re on target to replace all vertical displacements measuring more than one inch (1+”) within ¼ mile of District 8 bus routes (the District 8 Sidewalk Accessibility Improvement Plan) [https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council-district-8/reorient-transit-system#9] – as well as to clear out the backlog of District 8 sidewalk repair service requests – by the end of 2019.  Engineering is finalizing the list of addresses to repair first, in FY 2019, and we’ll share those with you next time.  

Partial funding for the District 8 Sidewalk Accessibility Improvement Plan comes from my FY 2019 Capital Infrastructure Funding (CIF) budget, which you can review here.  The Louisville Metro Budget includes CIF in the amount of $100,000 and Neighborhood Development Funding (NDF) in the amount of $75,000 per Metro Council District to support additional capital projects and government programs or grants to non-profits, respectively.  (It also includes an additional $50,000 in Council Designated Funds; see my CIF budget.)  You can review my FY 2019 NDF budget here.  Both budgets are designed to align with the Strategic Plan for District 8 [https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council-district-8/strategic-plan-district-8-one-highlands] and initiatives I’ve previously discussed in these newsletters, so, you may recognize some of the individual appropriations.   I’m reserving $40,000 in CIF and $30,000 in NDF (10% of a four-year term’s worth of funding) for a rainy day.  That leaves a total combined, unbudgeted $39,844.49 (the accounts are fungible) to spend on the best opportunities for District 8 that present themselves over the next 365 days.

* * *

Here are the upcoming paving projects over the next two weeks in our neck of the woods:

Everett Terrace.  

Edgeland Avenue will be completed pending a Louisville Water lead service line replacement project.  Castlewood Avenue and Winter Avenue (and I’m not giving up on Tyler Park Drive yet, either!) will be completed pending the Barret/Castlewood project.  Finally, some of the dozen new FY 2019 Paving Plan projects should be completed later this summer, as well.    

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: Air Bud

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. 

Later this afternoon (Wed 6/20), the Metro Council Appropriations Committee will consider an ordinance appropriating $30,000 from District 8, $6,000 from District 26 and $1,000 from District 9 to partially fund a neighborhood plan for the District 8/Bowman Field area neighborhoods of Hawthorne and Seneca Vista, and the home rule cities of Kingsley, Seneca Gardens and Strathmoor Village.  A companion resolution is on its way authorizing the acceptance of a $20,000 contribution from the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, as well as $1,000 contributions from each of the three cities, to fully fund the $60,000 plan.  This is a huge win for District 8!  Not only will it double the number of our neighborhoods with plans from five to 10 in an area of the district otherwise bereft of development protections but it is an opportunity to help reset the relationship between Bowman Field and surrounding neighborhoods, which was strained under the outgoing administration.

I’ve met with new LRAA Executive Director Dan Mann and he understands the situation completely.  Dan also recognizes how special Bowman Field is and the multifaceted community purposes it can serve as the area’s anchor institution.  I intend to have Dan as a guest soon on Eight More Miles: the District 8 Podcast, and many of you will meet him as part of the neighborhood planning process (the details of which are coming soon!).  I want to thank Dan and the LRAA for having the vision to partner with us in this effort because without their involvement it wouldn’t be possible.      

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My ordinance on demolition policy reform passed 18-1 with a couple of minor amendments at last Thursday’s Metro Council meeting, after a fairly long and, at times, contentious debate – although, overall, I think it was a constructive and productive example of bi-partisan policymaking.  Wonks with an hour to kill or stakeholders with a community or business interest might find the discussion enlightening, if not instructive.  Video starts at the 1:57:20 / 3:12:12 mark.

* * *

The only planning and zoning activity scheduled for the next two weeks is a neighborhood informational meeting for the development proposal at the intersection of Lexington Road and Grinstead Drive.  According to the notification, there will be a presentation as to what the official rezoning application will contain.

As I’ve previously written, because I worked on this property for the developer prior to taking office, I’m recusing myself from any debate or vote of the Metro Council on this matter in order to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.  (This includes not attending the meeting on the 27th.)  I understand this frustrates some of you but it is critical to maintain the integrity of the process.  If you follow me in these pages, then you know that I trust in it.       

Over the Last Two Weeks

On June 13, the Cherokee Triangle Architectural Review Committee approved with conditions the construction of a new carriage house at 1215 Cherokee Rd.  18COA1108

On June 18, the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA) recommended approval of a variance to allow a private yard area to be less than the required 30% of the area of the lot at 1548 Quadrant Ave.  18VARIANCE1045

On June 18, BOZA recommended approval of a conditional use permit (CUP) for a short-term rental (STR) at 1303 Goddard Ave.  18CUP1057

On June 18, BOZA recommended approval of a CUP for a STR at 1404 Goddard Ave.  18CUP1058

Over the Next Two Weeks

On June 27, at 7:00pm a neighborhood informational meeting will be held to discuss the results of charrettes held in reference to the proposed zone change from C-2 to a Planned Development District (PDD) at 2294 Lexington Road. The meeting will be held at the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana Learning Center, 2115 Lexington Rd.  16ZONE1044

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: Summertime Blues

The following Crime Report is adapted from the last two 5th Division Weekly Crime Updates (6/3/18 - 6/16/18) provided by Sgt. Stuart Hamilton.  Please note the referenced maps cover the entire Fifth Division, not just District 8.   

Last year, I allocated $9,000 in NDF for police overtime from Memorial Day to Labor Day and crime dropped more than 30% year over year from summer 2016 to summer 2017 – so I’m doing it again this year.  (Read my short report on last year’s District 8 Police Overtime Initiative here.) 

This year, however, the program will run from the Fourth of July (the 3rd, actually) to Labor Day Weekend because July is the peak summer month for criminal activity, and in order for us to have a fully funded force to deal with the fireworks, vandalism and other problems we experienced last Independence Day.

Officers (two of them) will be added both Friday and Saturday nights from 12:00 -  4:00am over the 10-week period and directed to patrol bars, gas stations and other businesses with a history of ABC violations, and their surrounding neighborhoods.  I’m pleased to report that some hot spots (like Speedway, for example) have already been cooperating with police to increase prevention of trespass and loitering on their properties, and we’ll be asking others to follow suit.        

* * *

Burglary – There were two reported burglaries this reporting period, a decrease from the last reporting period (4).  There was one each in Beats 2 and 4.  One was business and one was residential.  Forced entry was used in one, and the other was by unknown means.  See maps here and here for more detail.

Auto Theft – We had five reported auto thefts over the last two weeks, an increase from the last reporting period (2).  Two occurred in Beat 2, one occurred in Beat 3 and two occurred in Beat 4.  Keys were used in one theft, the remaining four were by unknown means.  See maps here and here for more detail.

Theft from Automobile – We had 14 thefts from automobile over the last two weeks, which was a slight decrease from the last reporting period (15).  There were seven in Beat 2, four in Beat 3 and three in Beat 4.  Four of the vehicles were left unlocked.  Seven had windows broken.  Three were by unknown means.  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 – 85/261 = 32.5%

Q2: 30/101= 29.7%

Q1: 55/160= 34.4%

2018 over 2017 District 8 CompStat Data (Period 2018 23) 

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.

JUNE 22             1:00 -  4:00pm          Councilman Coan Satellite Office Hours at the Douglass                                                                           Community Center (By Appointment Only)

JUNE 26             6:00pm                     Metro Council Meeting 

JUNE 26             7:00pm                     City of Strathmoor Manor Meeting

JUNE 27             8:30am                     Highland Commerce Guild Meeting

JUNE 27             7:00pm                     Neighborhood Informational Meeting 16ZONE1044 2294                                                                         Lexington Rd                   

JUNE 28             7:00pm                     Tyler Park Neighborhood Association Meeting

JUNE 29             1:00 -  4:00pm          Councilman Coan Satellite Office Hours at the DCC (By                                                                           Appointment Only)

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 my friend Noah Howard, all the amazing artists and everyone involved in the wonderful Visions of Power exhibit at 1619 Flux!  The exhibit is open to the public every Saturday thru August 26, from 11am - 4pm at 1619 West Main Street, and I highly recommend taking it in!

2. Shout-out for the city’s plan to Reimagine 9th Street!  The kind of investment being contemplated to lengthen the time for pedestrians to cross at intersections, install new lighting and more is exactly what’s needed on Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue!

3. Shout-out to Parkside Bikes for announcing the opening of its new store at 822 E. Market Street!

4. Shout-out to LMPD Ninth Mobile Division Commander Major William Hibbs for briefing me on your unit’s extraordinary efforts (and results!) to combat violent crime and illegal guns.  Color me impressed!

5. Shout-out to the Seneca Vista Neighborhood Association for celebrating its first anniversary with a new neighborhood composting project!

6. Shout-out to Louisville Metro Urban Planner Mike King for working hard day’s nights all month, visiting District 8 neighborhood association and city council meetings to discuss and answer questions about the Bardstown Road Corridor Safety Study!

7. Shout-out to Metro Council Financial Advisors Beth Stenberg and LaTonya Bell for helping us identify and round up every loose penny to fund our FY19 Capital and Operating plans!

8. Finally, shout-out to WFPK Waterfront Wednesday for a free concert with Bettye Lavette, Company of Thieves, Otis Junior & Dr. Dundiff, Wednesday, June 27 at 5:00pm at the Waterfront Park Big Four Lawn!  Support local radio!

In Two Weeks: The Strategic Plan Update 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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