District 8 Streets Report: The Golden Road (to Unlimited Devotion)

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

In the last edition of the Streets Report, I wrote about Louisville Water Company construction and a resultant windfall in paving that is in store for the Highlands.  I projected 20 new, whole streets to be paved by next spring – in addition to our 15-street FY 2019 Paving Plan – as well as significant cost savings to our District 8 Paving Plan over the next two years.  

Upon further review of the information and consultation with Public Works Assistant Director Jeff Brown and Construction Standards Engineer Matt Haines, I’m pleased to apply the projected cost savings and update the projected number of additional streets to be paved to 26, now including: Bonnycastle Ter; Cross Rd; Kaelin Ave; Page Ave; Ravinia Ave; and Woodfill Way.

As a reminder, these totals do not include several other “partial” – yet substantial – new paving projects also related to the construction, such as: Baringer Ave (from Cherokee to Willow); Baxter Ave (from Beechwood to Hepburn); and Trevilian Way (from Bardstown to Eastview).

Perhaps even more important than all the resurfacing is the opportunity on Baxter to slow down speeding by painting shoulders to reduce the width of the lanes and provide space for bicyclists and pedestrians from Castlewood to Winter.

Finally, the Water Company paving will help us close the gap in completing the Tyler Park Master Plan edge improvements: only the east side of Tyler Park Drive remains in need of funding.  I am committed to making it happen.    

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Today (October 10) is National Walk to School Day, so to celebrate and raise awareness of pedestrian rights – school kids’ rights – to a safe walk to school, my friends from Squallis Puppeteers and I (with help from Commonwealth Bank & Trust Company and Fund for the Arts) will be assisting school crossing guards throughout October with subtle reminders that vehicles must yield the right of way to pedestrians at plainly marked crosswalks.

Again: vehicles must yield the right of way to pedestrians at plainly marked crosswalks.

Look for us at Bloom and Hawthorne Elementary and Highland Middle Schools, and drive safe for kids’ sake!

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We didn't timely receive complete Over the Last Two Weeks/ Over the Next Two Weeks project reports from our correspondents for this edition (Barret Hill Rd was paved), so we apologize and look to correct this omission next time.  

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

District 8 Development Report: Better Barret in Mind

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. 

From the Paristown and Urban Government Center redevelopments on the north to the Barret/Castlewood–Tyler Park connector project on the south, to new business after new business opening in between (and breweries everywhere!), Barret Avenue is on its way back and to be better than ever.  To build on the momentum, Councilwoman Barbara Sexton-Smith (who represents most of Barret north of Winter), Councilman Pat Mulvihill (who represents the nearby area southwest of Winter) and I are in early discussions over corridor planning and improvements.  Over the next several months, we will work with a team of partners to survey residents, neighborhood and business associations and other stakeholders along the 1.2-mile commercial stretch of Barret from Ellison to Baxter (and its environs) to collect ideas about the streetscape, programming and marketing of the district.

To kick off this exploratory phase, the Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA) is reaching out to Barret Avenue businesses on our behalf.  If you’re an owner, expect to see LIBA in your shop or establishment or receive an email from them shortly.  If your thoughts and ideas can hardly wait, then call or email Mendy Frohlich at: (502) 473-4687 ext. 103 and mendy@keeplouisvilleweird.com 

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The Bowman Field area neighborhood planning process for Hawthorne, Kingsley, Seneca Gardens, Seneca Vista and Strathmoor Village will begin by year’s end.  The Office of Advanced Planning is wrapping up its Request for Proposals (RFP) process, following which will be the Advisory Group application, appointment process and kick-off meeting, likely in December.  The planning effort will start in full with a three or four-day residents and stakeholders workshop in the spring.  Meeting details are to be announced.

* * *

Over the Last Two Weeks

On October 1st, the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA) approved a conditional use permit (CUP) for a short-term rental in a UN zoning district at 1405 Morton Ave.  18CUP1084

On October 1st, BOZA approved a variance for a fence height increase at 2514 Kings Hwy.  18VARIANCE1072

On October 1st, BOZA approved a variance for an accessory structure to encroach into the required rear yard setback at 1900 Woodbourne Ave.  18VARIANCE1071

Over the Next Two Weeks

On October 15th at 1:00pm, BOZA will hold a public meeting to review a proposed CUP for a short-term rental in a dwelling unit that is not the primary residence of the host at 1419 Morton Ave.  The meeting will be held at 514 W. Liberty St.  18CUP1076

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: Four A.M.

The following Crime Report is adapted from the last two 5th Division Weekly Crime Updates (9/23/18 - 10/6/18) provided by Sgt. Stuart Hamilton.  Please note the linked maps cover the entire Fifth Division, not just District 8 (Beats 2, 3 and 4).   

Four A.M.

by Wislawa Szymborska

The hour between night and day.

The hour between toss and turn.

The hour of thirty-year-olds.

The hour swept clean for roosters’ crowing.

The hour when the earth takes back its warm embrace.

The hour of cool drafts from extinguished stars.

The hour of do-we-vanish-too-without-a-trace.

Empty hour.

Hollow.  Vain.

Rock bottom of all the other hours.

No one feels fine at four a.m.

If ants feel fine at four a.m.,

we’re happy for the ants.  And let five a.m. come

if we’ve got to go on living.

– from Poems: New and Collected 1957 - 1997

* * *

Robbery – There was one reported robbery this reporting period.  As described by Sgt. Hamilton:

At 10:10pm on Monday, September 24th, in the 1200 block of Eastern Parkway, two subjects armed with a handgun forced their way through the front door and took the victim’s property.

Suspect #1: B/M, approximately 20-26 years of age.

Suspect #2: B/M, approximately 20-26 years of age.

Burglary – There were six reported burglaries this reporting period, a slight increase from the last reporting period (5).  There were five in Beat 2 and one in Beat 4.  Two were businesses and the remaining four were residential.  One was by force, two were unlocked and three were by unknown means.  See maps here and here for more detail. 

Auto Theft – There was one reported auto theft this reporting period, the same as last reporting period (1).  The theft occurred in Beat 2 and was the result of an unlocked car.  See maps here and here for more detail.

Theft from Automobile – There were 13 thefts from automobile this reporting period, an increase from the last reporting period (10).  There were five in Beat 2, seven in Beat 3 and one in Beat 4.  Four of the vehicles were unlocked, five were by forced entry and four 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 – 153/431 = 35.5%

Q4: 7/20= 35%

Q3: 47/122= 38.5%

Q2: 44/129= 34.1%

Q1: 55/160= 34.4%

2018 over 2017 District 8 CompStat Data (Period 2018 39)

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.

OCTOBER 10   7:00pm                         Belknap Neighborhood Association Meeting

OCTOBER 11   6:00pm                         Metro Council Meeting

OCTOBER 12   7:30am - 12:00pm       Road Closures: Jefferson County Traditional Middle School                                                                    Walk-a-thon

                          1:00 - 4:00pm              Councilman Coan Satellite Office Hours at the Douglass                                                                          Community Center (by appointment only)

                          6:00pm                        Road Closures: Belknap Fall Festival

OCTOBER 13   All-day                         Road Closures: Belknap Fall Festival

OCTOBER 14   1:00 – 5:00pm             Cherokee Triangle Family Festival

OCTOBER 15   1:00pm                        BOZA Public Hearing on 18CUP1076 1419 Morton Ave

                          6:00pm                        German Paristown Neighborhood Association Meeting

                          6:00pm                        Original Highlands Neighborhood Association Meeting

                          6:30pm                        City of Seneca Gardens Meeting

                          7:00pm                        Cherokee Triangle Association Meeting

OCTOBER 19   1:00 - 4:00pm              Councilman Coan Satellite Office Hours at the DCC (by                                                                          appointment only)

OCTOBER 20   7:30am                        Road Closures: Urban Bourbon Half Marathon

OCTOBER 21   2:00 – 6:00pm             Road Closures: Tom Owen CycLOUvia in the Highlands

OCTOBER 23   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 and congratulations on your marriage to Eight More Miles producer Aaron Mikel and Jessy Harding!  Wishing you both love and happiness!

2. Shout-out to Tyler Park Neighborhood Association newsletter editor Florence Saltzman, who is stepping down after many years of service as a wonderful editor and dedicated volunteer!

3. Shout-out to my friend Stephanie Lindsay, whose new business Rose Island Road is already doing amazing things to celebrate and benefit Kentucky culture and natural places!

4. Shout-out to Deer Park Neighborhood Association board member, Center for Neighborhoods Neighborhood Institute class member and Manual High School student Oli Tierney, who is creating a sustainability map of her neighborhood to showcase and celebrate the efforts that households and businesses have been making to increase the community’s environmental sustainability and to encourage new environmental initiatives!

5. Shout-out to Slow Food Bluegrass for presenting the 5th annual Fried Chicken Throwdown this Saturday, October 13th, noon - 4:00pm at Flying Axes, 146 N. Clay St! 

6. Shout-out to WFPL’s Curious Louisville and Ryan Van Velzer for their excellent production of What Happens to Your Recycling?  This explains things!

7. Shout-out to Friends of Beechwood Park for their continued development efforts to build the newest pocket park in the Highlands, including an Octoberfest event at Monnik Beer Company on Sunday, October 28th that sounds fantastic!

8. Finally, shout-out and hail to the victors valiant!  Beat Wisconsin!! 

In Two Weeks: The Past Is Prologue 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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