District 8 Streets Report: 8631

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

Since my first day in office (January 2, 2017), there have been 1,127 crashes on Bardstown Road(/Baxter Avenue) from Broadway to I-264.  That is a crash every 15 hours.  Nineteen (19) crashes have involved pedestrians and bicyclists.  Nearly 200 (199) people have been hurt.  It is only a matter of time until someone gets killed.

That’s why implementation of the Bardstown Road Safety Study – now final and available for review here – is among my top priorities for 2019.  A detailed traffic analysis will be conducted before any changes are made to the existing cross section – including removal of the alternating lane lights and restriping the road to be one lane in each direction, with left-turn lanes at each of the signalized intersections and permanent on-street parking – but several crosswalk improvements, new sidewalks and other pedestrian enhancements can be implemented quickly, pending funding.  Construction from Tyler Lane to Brighton Drive and/or Taylorsville Road to Tyler Lane would be relatively low cost and have broad public support.  An enhanced lighting plan can get started right away. 

The total cost estimate of the entire plan (exclusive of enhanced lighting) is between $5,500,000 and $7,400,000.  (By comparison, the Dixie Do-Over will cost $50 million.)  However, the majority of proposed improvements, including minor intersection reconfigurations, can be treated as stand-alone projects and implemented independently (and independent of an overall redesign) as funding becomes available.

I will be fighting hard in 2019 to get funded as many projects as possible that can be done without reconfiguring the roadway while further traffic modeling for the corridor and adjacent roadways is developed.  I’ll also propose new Slow Zones and ways to stop speeding through neighborhood streets like Cherokee Road, Baxter Avenue and Fernwood Avenue.  It ought to be safe to cross the street in the Highlands and – until we reduce the number of pedestrian and bicyclist crashes to zero – we have work to do. 

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Yard Waste Suspension: Yard waste collection will be suspended during its annual winter hiatus beginning January 21st through March 9th.  Curbside collection of yard waste will resume on March 12th.

Joe Creason Park Restoration: Following the cyclocross race this past weekend, Louisville Parks and Rec is taking steps to restore the turf areas throughout Creason, the Creason managed meadows areas and the woodland areas surrounding the course.  Read more here.  Notwithstanding, I oppose this event and others like it being held in Metro Parks not specifically designed for such activity in the future.

Sidewalk Repairs: Over the next two weeks, repairs are planned for: 1732 Deer Park Ave (curb); 1822 Eastern Pkwy; 2421 and 2461 Glenmary Ave (corrections); and 1418 Morton Ave.  Paving will resume in spring.

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: Short Term Thinking

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. 

By now, you may have heard that the ordinance I co-sponsored imposing a temporary moratorium on conditional use permits for short term rentals in residential zoning districts where the property is not the host’s primary residence failed at last Thursday’s Metro Council meeting.  As I told Insider Louisville, “The moratorium was a modest request to preserve the status quo for three months while the Planning Commission and Metro Council grapple with a difficult policy issue.  It is short-sighted and disappointing that Council members least impacted by this issue wouldn’t grant those of us most impacted by it a little time and space to work on a solution.” 

On December 6th (prior to our December 12th Metro Council meeting), the Planning Commission continued case 18AMEND1002 to its January 24th meeting without recommending amendments to the Louisville Metro Code of Ordinances and Land Development Code regarding short term rentals, as requested pursuant to Metro Council Resolution #178, 2018, which I sponsored on October 11th.  Before adjourning, however, the Planning Commission debate centered on this very issue of disallowing short term rentals within dwelling units that are not the primary residences of the hosts in residential zoning districts – a recommendation arising from the Planning Commission’s review.  In fact, the Planning Commission appears to be considering two options: disallowing non-primary residence short term rentals in all residential zoning districts (R-R, R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, U-N, R-5A, R-5B, R-6, R-7 and R-8A) or removing only single-family residential zoning districts (R-R, R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and U-N).

Ultimately, of course, the Metro Council may choose a third option from among any number of regulatory schemes modeled elsewhere the world or promulgate entirely original rules.  There is no right answer.  As video of the public comments presented at the Planning Commission hearing and addresses to Council makes clear, there are good arguments both in support and opposed.  I suspect the best answer is narrowly tailored somewhere in between.  I continue to look and listen; without a moratorium, though, the needle in a haystack becomes harder to find.     

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Over the Last Two Weeks

On December 17th, the Board of Zoning Adjustment approved conditional use permits for short term rentals at 2308 Carlton Terrace (18CUP1105) and 1843 Stevens Avenue (18CUP1114).

Over the Next Two Weeks

On December 29th at 6:00pm, a neighborhood meeting will be held to discuss a request for a conditional use permit for a short term rental at 1812 Deerwood Avenue (18CUP1145).  The meeting will be held at 1812 Deerwood Avenue.  

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: Zech Attack

The following Crime Report is adapted from the last two 5th Division Weekly Crime Updates (12/2 - 12/15/18) provided by Sgt. Stuart Hamilton.  Please note the linked maps cover the entire Fifth Division, not just District 8 (Beats 2, 3 and 4).    

In light of last edition’s article introducing new District 8 and 5th Division traffic enforcement Officer Zechariah Aubrey, I feel compelled to follow up and report on the immediate impact he is making in our community.  Over the last two weeks, Officer Aubrey – despite being in training for most of the week of December 10th – operated throughout Beats 2 and 3, issued multiple citations for non-moving offenses, towed 15 abandoned/junked vehicles, marked (and will check back and address) multiple others, placed a speed cart at Woodbourne and Wallace Avenues, assisted the 5th Division Impact Unit (community policing) with multiple felony warrant attempts and attempting to locate a property crime suspect and expended two hours of overtime for the late arrest on December 6th of two adults and a juvenile with the recovery of a stolen vehicle, handgun and narcotics.  At this rate, Officer Aubrey and I will be friends forever!

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Robbery – There was one reported robbery this reporting period, the same as the last reporting period (1).  As described by Sgt. Hamilton: at 1:10am on Thursday, December 13th, an unknown subject punched a victim in the face and took his property at 919 Baxter Avenue.  No description of the suspect was given.

Burglary – There were nine reported burglaries this reporting period, a significant increase from the last reporting period (2).  There were six in Beat 2, one in Beat 3 and two in Beat 4.  All were residential.  Two were the result of unlocked properties, four were by unknown means and three were by force.  See maps here and here for more detail.  

Auto Theft – There were two reported auto thefts this reporting period, the same as the last reporting period (2).  One was in Beat 2 and the other was in Beat 3.  One theft was the result of an unlocked car and the other was by unknown means.  See maps here and here for more detail.

Theft from Automobile – There were 14 thefts from automobile this reporting period, an increase from the last reporting period (9).  There were nine in Beat 2, four in Beat 3 and one in Beat 4.  Five of the vehicles were unlocked, three were by forced entry and six 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 – 196/553 = 35.4%

Q4: 50/142= 35.2% 

Q3: 47/122= 38.5%

Q2: 44/129= 34.1%

Q1: 55/160= 34.4%

2018 over 2017 District 8 CompStat Data (Period 2018 49)

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.

DECEMBER 29             6:00pm                         Neighborhood Meeting for 18CUP1145 1812                                                                                            Deerwood Avenue

JANUARY 2                  6:30pm                          Highlands-Douglass 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 my District 8 partner Jasmine Weatherby for the equal work and unquantifiable contributions you’ve made to our mission over the last two years (and six months of preparation beforehand)!

2.  Shout-out to Alma Cordic, Ryan Cornett, Claire Egler, Brianna Morris, Emily Rosener and Giovanna Urizar of Dr. Thomas Wojcicki’s Exercise Science 415 class at Bellarmine University for completing their own Bardstown Road safety study – Bardstown Crossing – a map resource that allows users to see graded intersections on Bardstown Road from Baxter Avenue to Eastern Parkway and gives an idea of the presence of crosswalks, pedestrian signals, lighting and provides a greater understanding of the more troublesome areas! It sure looks like an A+ to me, Dr. T!

3.  Shout-out to the Louisville Asset Building Coalition/VITA Tax Services, a 14-year old non-profit program that partners with the IRS and Metro United Way to offer free income tax preparation for low-income families!  To receive IRS training to become a Certified Tax Preparer and volunteer to help out during the tax season (January - April 2019), please visit www.labcservices.org or call (502) 574-5687.

4.  Shout-out to Vital Sites, which is seeking potential partners and tenants with an interest in the revitalization and adaptive reuse of the Brennan House! Check out the Request for Interest (RFI) document here.  RFI responses must be submitted to info@VitalSites.org by Monday, January 21st.  My idea is a club for Louisville’s urbanist community, including a salon for lectures and exhibitions, an extensive resource library and a bourbon bar!

5.  Shout-out to WaterStep for setting a goal of collecting 22,000 pairs of shoes before December 31st! WaterStep's shoe program not only generates funds for the safe water organization, but it also keeps tons of waste out of landfills by re-purposing the shoes and creates micro business opportunities in developing countries.  Call (502) 568-6342 to get information about hosting a shoe drive, or visit waterstep.org to find a list of shoe drop-off sites around the city.  Any size, style, and condition of shoes is accepted!

6.  Shout-out to Develop Louisville Director Jeff O’Brien for receiving my vote for 2018 Fischer Administration MVP!

7.  Shout-out and fare you well to my Metro Council colleagues Mary C. Woolridge, Cheri Bryant Hamilton, Angela Leet, Vicki Aubrey Welch, Marianne Butler, Glen Stuckel, Julie Denton and Vitalis Lanshima for leaving this brokedown palace! 

8.  Finally, shout-out, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of District 8!  May 2019 be a year of blessing and goodness.

In Two Weeks: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised Edition

Thanks for reading, and tune back in four 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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