District 8 Streets Report: Drip, Drip, Drip

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

If temperatures remain moderate, we expect milling and paving restoration to start next week and continue throughout the spring for the Louisville Water Company Lead Service Line Replacement Program.  The last service renewal – in the Glenmary Avenue Area – was completed in November.  I expect Public Works to produce a detailed LWC Restoration Plan covering all of District 8 for public consumption, similar to the Google Fiber Restoration Plan, by the next Streets Report.

Over the Next Two Weeks

Paving projects are scheduled for:

• The LWC LSR Bardstown Road Service Area, including: Kaelin Avenue; Trevilian Way (from Bardstown to Eastview); and the Trevilian Way Striping Project.

Sidewalk repair projects are scheduled for:

• 2301-2331 Alta Avenue     

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: Vrikshasana (Tree Pose)

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. 

Yesterday (2/25), the Metro Council Planning & Zoning Committee continued to make progress on legislation to toughen tree preservation and planting requirements relating to development.  I am not currently a member of P&Z – which, frustratingly, means I can’t make a motion, move to make an amendment or vote in committee – but I have been heavily involved in developing the ordinance behind the scenes and participating up front in the debate.  We have come a long way with this bill but I am concerned the working draft presently falls short in at least three respects.  First, the new requirement to preserve 20% of a development site area covered with existing tree canopy would apply only to sites that have 50% to 100% existing tree canopy coverage.  Given the overriding concern for the preservation of mature trees, I think the threshold should be lowered to 30% – especially since the preservation requirement may be reduced to as little as 10% tree canopy under certain conditions.  Second, preserved trees on a development site would be given double canopy credit.  That means half as many new trees at most would be required to be planted compared to now, in many cases (not including street trees).  I think that is ludicrous and the retained tree canopy credit should remain as is, given for the square footage of the site within the dripline.  Finally, I think it is a mistake to reduce required tree canopy 5% when a “heat island green technology” is used on an industrial site.  A new “cool roof” costs no more than a non-cool roof.  This provision is an industrial giveaway.  I think the incentive should be struck.  I have appealed to my P&Z colleagues to move to make these amendments on my behalf but so far to no avail.  I hope they will reconsider, perhaps upon your urging.

* * *

Over the Last Two Weeks

On February 12th, the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) deferred until another ARC meeting can be scheduled with the applicants, whom did not appear at the meeting to represent themselves, a proposal to install a new front door and sidelights on the front façade of a home located at 1445 Willow Avenue.  19-COA-0159

On February 25th, the Metro Council Planning & Zoning Committee recommended for approval an ordinance concerning the adoption of the Bowman Area Neighborhoods Plan and approving its executive summary as an amendment to the Plan 2040 comprehensive plan.  19AREAPLAN0003

On February 25th, the Bardstown Road/Baxter Avenue Review Overlay District continued to a date uncertain a request for a BROD Overlay Permit for demolition and new construction of a new commercial building, hotel and site improvements at 1125-1131 Bardstown Road.  20-OVERLAY-0002

Over the Next Two Weeks

On February 26th at 4:30 pm, the ARC will hold a public meeting to review: 1) a proposal to install a new front door and sidelights on the front façade of a home located at 1445 Willow Avenue (19-COA-0159); and 2) a proposal to add a carriage house, carport, rear addition and other extensive exterior renovations to the property at 2530 Ransdell Avenue.  19-COA-0171  The meeting will be held at 444 S. 5th St.

On February 27th at 1:00 pm, the Land Development & Transportation Committee will hold a public meeting to review a request for a change in zoning form R-5 to R-5B with detailed district development plan to accommodate two dwelling units on the property at 1316 Bellwood Avenue.  The meeting will be held at 514 W. Liberty St.  19-ZONE-0032

On March 2nd at 1:00 pm, the Board of Zoning Adjustment will hold a public meeting to review a request for a conditional use permit to allow a non-primary residence short term rental in the R5 zoning district at 1894 Douglass Boulevard.  The meeting will be held at 514 W. Liberty St.  19-CUP-0289

On March 2th at 6:00 pm, a neighborhood meeting will be held to discuss a conditional use permit pre-application for a non-primary residence short-term rental in the R-5 zoning district at 1721 Eastern Parkway.  The meeting will be held at the subject property.  20-CUPPA-0009

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: Raising Heck

The following Crime Report is adapted from the last two 5th Division Weekly Crime Updates provided by Sgt. Stuart Hamilton and a Traffic Enforcement Report provided by Ofc. Robert Ward (2/9/20 - 2/22/20). Please note the linked maps cover the entire LMPD Fifth Division, not just District 8 (Beats 2, 3 and 4).  

In the last crime report, I previewed my podcast with LMPD’s Jessie Halladay, including some of the topics I intended to ask her about, such as online community engagement and public information, which have been ongoing concerns for me.  Jessie and I agreed to disagree on some issues for now – like whether a Fifth Division Facebook page would be more effective and helpful to District 8 residents than having to follow a single, citywide police news feed – but, more importantly, we conceded to continue the conversation and bring you into it!  The result will be a Synergy Project Action Session, scheduled for Monday May 11th, 6:00pm at the Douglass Community Center Gym (2305 Douglass Blvd).  The Synergy Project is LMPD’s new relationship and trust building program and your best chance to tell the police what you want to feel safer and more heard.  We will remind you as the event gets closer but it would be great to have tables of six representing every Highlands neighborhood and home rule city.  Listen to my conversation with Jessie here and reserve your group’s spot by contacting my office with the names of the people in your party.        

* * *

Robbery – There were three robberies this reporting period.  In Sgt. Hamilton’s words:

1) On Thursday, February 13th at 2:30am, two subjects chased a victim from Baxter's 942 Bar & Grill in the 900 block of Baxter Avenue.  When the subjects caught up to the victim, they attempted to body slam him but were unsuccessful.  The subjects then demanded the victim to empty his pockets.  The victim pulled out his wallet and cash and threw it on the ground.  The subjects then fled with the victim’s property in an unknown direction.  Suspect #1 is a black male with a dark complexion, flat top haircut and wearing a long sleeve camouflage shirt.  Suspect #2 is a black male with a light complexion or a Hispanic male wearing a dark colored zip up shirt and blue jeans.

2) On Saturday, February 15th at 9:49pm, the subject entered Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers (1250 Bardstown Rd) wearing a mask and armed with a handgun.  The subject then demanded business cash.  The subject was confronted by two off-duty Elizabethtown Police officers.  The subject dropped the handgun and fled but was apprehended by the officers.  The officers got free chicken for a year.  Arrested: Justin Carter, white male.

3) On Thursday, February 20th at 3:03am, the subject was helping the victim to move an item at Bardstown Road and Beechwood Avenue.  When the victim bent over, the subject struck the victim in the head and told the victim to give him his money.  Arrested: Michael Looker, white male.

Burglary – There were three burglaries this reporting period, an increase from the last reporting period (2).  There was one in Beat 2, one in Beat 3 and one in Beat 4.  One was by force, one was by unknown means and the other was an attempt.  All three were residential.  See maps here and here for more detail.

Auto Theft – There were three auto thefts this reporting period, a decrease from the last reporting period (4).  There was one in Beat 2 and two in Beat 3.  All three were unlocked/keys used.  See maps here and here for more detail.

Theft from Automobile – There were 16 thefts from automobile this reporting period, an increase from the last reporting period (10).  There were eight in Beat 2, seven in Beat 3 and one in Beat 4.  Five of the vehicles were unlocked, three were by unknown means and eight were by force.  Please remember to Lock, Take and Hide!  See maps here and here for more detail. 

2020 District 8 “Unlocked” Crimes Tracker

Q1: 25/84 = 29.8%

2019: 182/492 = 37%

2018: 206/581 = 35.5%

2020 over 2019 District 8 CompStat Data (Period 2020 7)

* * *

Traffic – Over the last two weeks, Officer Ward issued 40 citations and warnings for speeding and other infractions, 35 parking citations, investigated three non-injury collisions, one injury collision and one fatal collision at Baxter Avenue and East Broadway.  According to Ofc. Ward, both fatal accidents that have occurred in District 8 this year have two common factors: speed (both were going well over 60 mph); and neither driver hit their breaks or did anything to prevent their tragic end, leading us to believe they were looking at their phones.  Please stay alive, don’t text and drive.

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.

FEB 26              4:30pm             Architectural Review Committee Public Hearing 19-COA-0159 1445 Willow Ave and 19-COA-0171 2530 Ransdell Ave

FEB 27              1:00pm              Land Development & Transportation Public Meeting 19-ZONE-0032 1316 Bellwood Ave

                          7:00pm              Tyler Park Neighborhood Association Meeting

MAR 2               1:00pm              Board of Zoning Adjustment Public Meeting 19-CUP-0289 1894 Douglass Blvd

                           6:00pm             Neighborhood Meeting 20-CUPPA-0009 1721 Eastern Pkwy

                           6:30pm             Seneca Vista Neighborhood Association Meeting

MAR 4                6:30pm             Highlands-Douglass Neighborhood Association Meeting

MARCH 5           7:00pm             City of Kingsley Meeting

MARCH 9           6:30pm             City of Strathmoor Village Meeting

MAR 10              7:00pm             Bonnycastle Homestead 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 and happy birthday (today! 2/26) to my dear old dad aka MLC aka Morb aka the Cookie Man aka Gramps!  See you around like a doughnut!  
2. Shout-out to John Ridgill and Louisville Tree Service for donating labor and equipment to help us plant 25 trees on the Tyler Lane “islands” in the Upper Highlands last Saturday (2/22)!  
3. Shout-out to District 21 First Dude Ricky George for answering our cry for help and providing just as much power as the tree planting auger to help finish the job!
4. Shout-out to Jay Helms, Bill Sanders, Donna Skaggs, Alice Tiano and Geoff Wilkinson for reaching out to nearly 100 people on behalf of our Homestead Exemption project!  If you are willing to talk to seniors on your street about how they can save up to almost $1,600 this year and more than $500 each year going forward, then please contact my office!  
5. Shout-out to New Roots for presenting Stories From the Front Lines of Food Justice on Thursday, February 27th, 6:30 - 8:30pm at Tim Faulkner Gallery, 991 Logan Street!  Hear tales of community and individual transformation and enjoy free mocktails provided by Prana, snacks from Ramsi’s Café on the World and a cash bar!
6. Shout-out to Ky. St. Sen. McGarvey for his latest takes on the Week in Frankfort, February 14th and 21st! 
7. Gentle shout-out – and rest in peace – to the Louisville Zoo’s Hope the pygmy hippo:(  Hope was literally my little boy’s favorite animal at the zoo and she will be greatly missed!    
8. Finally, shout-out, early happy birthday (3/3) and congratulations on your engagement(!) to my brother Spencer and Aunt Caroline!  See you both soon in Gay Paree!

In Two Weeks: The Refreshed and Recharged 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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