District 8 Streets Report: Too Much of a Good Thing

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

Two weeks ago (10/10), the Metro Council passed an ordinance, which I supported, intended to shore up city golf courses’ finances, preserve and make them sustainable.  In short, the legislation raises green fees, requires competitive bidding to outsource course management and imposes new detailed financial reporting by golf pros.  It gives the city more bargaining power vis-à-vis operators.

Beyond the legislation, the deal principally brokered by Councilwoman Cindi Fowler (D-14) also required concessions by labor to get done.  For all these reasons and more, the long-term future of public golf remains an issue in my mind that calls for new players and thinking outside the box to safeguard and maximize these precious lands.  In the short-term, however, it is a massive achievement by Councilwoman Fowler and a win for Cherokee (and Seneca) Golf Course.      

* * *

By the end of this week (10/25), with the exception a dozen or two punch list items, Google Fiber Restoration should finally be completed.  I know the parking restrictions have been burdensome for many of you – the last two weeks, especially – and for that I am truly sorry.  There has been some confusion over the fact that Type 2 repairs (4 ft. edge mill and paves) require the contractor to come back and seal the joint where the new asphalt meets the old, which is why some no parking signs remain posted with new dates seemingly after the work has already been done.  They will be removed once and for all.

As we conclude, if you suffered any damage to your property, got a parking ticket that you think was unjust or are aware of any work that appears incomplete or incorrectly done, please contact me and I will help you.

* * *

Google Fiber is soon to be a thing of the past but our regularly planned (and Louisville Water Company) paving and sidewalk repair work continues.         

Over the Next Two Weeks

Paving projects are scheduled for: 

• Douglass Boulevard (from Blvd Napoleon to Bardstown)
• Eleanor Avenue (from Lancashire to Emerson)
• Harvard Drive (from Blvd Napoleon to Bardstown)
• Tremont Drive (from Tyler to Gardiner)
• Whiteway Avenue

Sidewalk repair projects are scheduled for:

• 2301 and 2331 Alta Avenue
• 2100 Baringer Avenue
• 932, 940-944, 1035-1039 and 1040 Cherokee Road
• 1754 Deer Park Avenue
• 1878 Douglass Boulevard
• 2113, 2116-2120, 2130, 2137, 2156, 2164-2168, 2211 and 2213 Eastview Avenue
• 1625 Ellwood Avenue
• 1200 Everett Avenue
• 1616 Gardiner Lane
• 2027 Murray Avenue
• 1858 Overlook Terrace
• 1590 Parsons Place
• 1816 Princeton Drive
• 2202 Woodbourne Avenue

Any tree removed as part of sidewalk work will be replaced by the city by no later than 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: The Process

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. 

As indicated in not so plain English below, the Planning Commission recommended that One Park be approved by a vote of 5-Yes, 0-No, 1-Present and 3-Absent.

As a matter of procedure, here is what is most likely next: the Commission will approve its meeting minutes on October 31st; the Metro Council will introduce an ordinance changing the zoning as a New Business item on November 7th; the Council Planning & Zoning Committee will take up on the ordinance on November 12th; and the whole Council will debate and vote on it on November 21st, or later if debate continues in P&Z.  A majority of those members present is required to sustain the Planning Commission recommendation; a majority of the entire Council is required to overrule it.

Because I performed work related to the subject property for the developer prior to my time in office, I am recusing myself from debate and voting on this item in order to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.        

* * *

Over the Last Two Weeks

On October 16th, the Development Review Committee approved a request for a waiver to allow a sign for a new business at 1200 Barret Avenue.  19-WAIVER-0064

On October 17th, the Planning Commission recommended approval of a change in zoning from C-2 (Commercial) to PDD (Planned Development District) and an alley closure for right of way interior to the site at 2294, 2300, 2338 (TB 74A LOTS 12 & 15) & 2340 Lexington Road and 2501, 2503, 2509, 2511 & 2515 Grinstead Drive.  16ZONE1044 and 18STREETS1021

Over the Next Two Weeks

On October 24th at 1:00pm, the Land Development and Transportation Committee will hold a public meeting to review a request for a change in zoning from R-5B (Two Family Residential) to OR-2 (Office Residential) with an associated landscape waiver and detailed district development plan at 1400 Hepburn Avenue.  The meeting will be held at 514 W. Liberty St.  19-ZONE-0060

On October 26th at 10:30am, a neighborhood meeting will be held to discuss a proposed application for a conditional use permit for a short term rental at 2201 Strathmoor Boulevard.  The meeting will be held at the subject property.  19-CUPPA-0024

On October 28th at 1:00pm, the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA) will hold a public meeting to review a request for a variance to allow an addition to a single-family residence to encroach into the required side yard setback at 1314 Winter Avenue.  The meeting will be held at 514 W. Liberty St.  19-VARIANCE-0052

On November 4th at 1:00pm, BOZA will hold a public meeting to review: 1) a request for a conditional use permit for a private institutional use at 1537 Poplar Level Road (19-CUP-0159); 2) a request for a conditional use permit to allow a short term rental of a dwelling unit that is not the primary residence of the host at 1337 Ellison Avenue (19-CUP-0130); 3) a request for a variance to allow a private yard area to be less than the required 20% of the lot at 1645 Stevens Avenue (19-VARIANCE-0044); 4) a request for a variance to allow a fence in the front and street side yards to exceed 42 inches in height at 2100 Douglass Boulevard (19-VARIANCE-0057); 5) a request for a conditional use permit to allow a short term rental of a dwelling unit that is not the primary residence of the host at 1849 Yale Drive (19-CUP-0141); 6) a request for a conditional use permit to allow a short term rental of a duplex that is not the primary residence of the host at 2157 Alta Avenue (19-CUP-0140); and 7) a request for a conditional use permit to allow a short term rental of a single family dwelling that is not the primary residence of the host at 1844 Shady Lane.  19-CUP-0128  The meeting will be held at 514 W. Liberty St.

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: The Early Worm Gets the Bird

The following Crime Report is adapted from the last two 5th Division Weekly Crime Updates (10/6/19 - 10/19/19) provided by Sgt. Stuart Hamilton. Please note the linked maps cover the entire LMPD Fifth Division, not just District 8 (Beats 2, 3 and 4).  

State law allows the public to protest the granting of new alcoholic beverage licenses by writing the ABC.  You may be familiar with legal publications in the newspaper to this effect:

New Business hereby declares intentions to apply for liquor licenses no later than October 23, 2019.  The business to be licensed will be located at 950 Highlands St., Louisville, KY. 40204.  DBA New Bar.  The owners are as follows: Jane Doe of such-and-such address.  John Doe of same.  Any person, association, corporation or body politic may protest the granting of the licenses by writing the ABC within 30 days of the date of this ad.

Because it is not required, though, there are no such advertisements taken out for renewals of liquor licenses.  Thus, the public is generally unaware and does not act but the same standard applies: ABC may deny a license renewal for any reason that the administrator, in the exercise of his or her sound discretion, deems sufficient.  According to case law, this does not include public sentiment alone, but coupled with – let’s say – police data to back it up (calls for service, complaints, incidents, stops, citations and arrests, etc.), the voice of the people might just be strong enough to hold liquor license holders accountable on an annual performance basis.  For example, I can imagine aggrieved neighborhoods coming together to protest the renewal of Bar X’s 4 a.m. privileges in favor of a 2 a.m. license after a demonstrably problematic year of mismanagement with which the ABC administrator agrees. 

I think it is only fair and logical that renewals be subject to at least the same level of scrutiny as new license applications – after all, existing business have a record to be judged on, as opposed to just fear of the unknown – and similar procedural due process afforded to the public.  So, beginning in December, we will accept written comments in protest of 2020 liquor license renewals within 60 days of the renewal date and forward them to Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations/ABC.  I will post notice of upcoming renewals in this space, collect the comments and other data as necessary and submit them to the administrator myself.  

Of the nearly 100 bars, restaurants and other alcoholic beverage retailers located along the Baxter/Bardstown corridor alone, they are almost uniformly responsible businesses and good neighbors.  However, one or two hypothetical bad apples really does have the potential to spoil the late-night economy for the rest of us.  This is intended to be a preventative (not punitive) measure to make sure that does not happen. 

* * *

Robbery – There was one robbery this reporting period.  On Saturday, October 19th at 9:15pm, four subjects robbed a victim at gunpoint in the 1500 block of Bardstown Road.  The four suspects are Hispanic males.

Burglary – There were four burglaries this reporting period, a slight increase from the last reporting period (3).  Three were in Beat 2 and one was in Beat 3.  Two thefts were by force and two were by unknown means.  One property was business and three were residential.  See maps here and here for more detail.

Auto Theft – There were four auto thefts this reporting period, a decrease from the last reporting period (10).  There were two in Beat 2 and two in Beat 3.  One was unlocked and three were by unknown means.  See maps here and here for more detail.

Theft from Automobile – There were nine thefts from automobile this reporting period, the same number as the last reporting period (9).  There were seven in Beat 2 and two in Beat 3.  One of the vehicles was unlocked and eight 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.

2019 District 8 “Unlocked” Crimes Tracker

Q4: 6/24 = 25%

Q3: 53/152 = 34.9%

Q2: 60/136 = 44.1%

Q1: 32/93 = 34.4%

2018: 206/581 = 35.5%

2019 over 2018 District 8 CompStat Data (Period 2019 41)

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 24   1:00pm                         Land Development and Transportation Committee Meeting                                                                      19ZONE0060 1400 Hepburn Ave

                          6:00pm                         Metro Council Meeting

                          7:00pm                         Tyler Park Neighborhood Association Meeting

OCTOBER 26   10:30am                        Neighborhood Meeting 19-CUPPA-0024 2201 Strathmoor                                                                        Blvd

OCTOBER 28   1:00pm                         Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA) Public Meeting 19-                                                                           VARIANCE-0052 1314 Winter Ave

OCTOBER 30   8:30am                         Highland Commerce Guild

NOVEMBER 4  1:00pm                         BOZA Public Meeting 19-CUP-0159 1537 Poplar Level Rd

                          1:00pm                         BOZA Public Meeting 19-CUP-0130 1337 Ellison Ave

                          1:00pm                         BOZA Public Meeting 19-VARIANCE-0044 1645 Stevens Ave

                          1:00pm                         BOZA Public Meeting 19-VARIANCE-0057 2100 Douglass                                                                       Blvd

                          1:00pm                         BOZA Public Meeting 19-CUP-0140 2157 Alta Ave

                          1:00pm                         BOZA Public Meeting 19-CUP-0141 1849 Yale Dr

                          1:00pm                         BOZA Public Meeting 19-CUP-0128 1844 Shady Ln

                          6:30pm                         Seneca Vista 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 Public Works Engineer Deryk Kennedy for taking on the unenviable task of overseeing the Google Fiber Restoration!  This was an enormous challenge and Deryk met it head on with dedication and humility.  Moreover, he got great results.  As a whole, District 8 roads have been vastly improved!
2. Shout-out to new Assistant County Attorney Laura Ferguson for her assistance in the Omni/Odd Fellows matter!  Laura is an excellent lawyer and was a great pickup by the CAO from Louisville Forward!  
3. Shout-out to Joan Winkler and Sarafun for inviting me to speak to your group at St. Raphael last Sunday!  As we discussed, it is a challenge for me to get eNews into the hands of seniors and other Highlands residents who are less plugged in these days.  I appreciate anything you (and others) can do to help with distribution!    
4. Shout-out to “anonymous” news source, my friend and fellow litter hater Andrew Trager-Kusman for raising awareness of the unacceptable conditions along Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue!  This is a good time to remind property owners of the code enforcement blitz coming soon.  Get out there with a broom and dustpan.  Nobody likes paying fines.  It is cheaper to sweep!  
5. Shout-out to new Seneca Vista Neighborhood Association officers Angie Carlson (President), Kim Kennell (Vice President), Anna Flannery (Treasurer) and Patty Payette (Secretary) for stepping up to ensure the sustainability of SVNA going forward!  This is the little neighborhood association that could!
6. Shout-out and happy birthday to my man Mike D!  It was great to see you last weekend, brother!  California Love!
7. Shout-out to Trees Louisville Executive Director Cindi Sullivan for stopping by to talk – what else? – trees(!) on the new episode of Eight More Miles: the District 8 Podcast, coming Monday (8/28)!
8. Finally, shout-out to the West End House Boys and Girls Club, 105 Allston Street, Allston, MA 02134, the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice.  #MG

In Two Weeks: The Gone Fishin’ 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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