Metro Councilman Kevin Kramer

601 W. Jefferson Street
Louisville, KY 40202
502.574.1111
Kevin.Kramer@louisvilleky.gov
 

  
Scott Harrington

Legislative Assistant
Phone: 502-574-3456 Scott.Harrington@louisvilleky.gov

In this issue:

• Louisville Metro introduces new on-street dining for restaurants
• EWRAP offers financial assistance to MSD customers
• Mayor urges those in need to apply for more than $21 million in federal eviction prevention assistance
• Pappy raffle benefits South Louisville organization
• Call for artists, Art in City Hall

Louisville Metro introduces new on-street dining for restaurants

New option will allow restaurants to expand outdoor dining into parking lanes

LOUISVILLE, KY (August 5, 2020) – Louisville Metro Government has expanded opportunities for restaurants to offer new temporary outdoor dining through the utilization of on-street parking spaces.

“As we envision a day beyond the pandemic, we want our eclectic Louisville eateries to be part of that future, which is why Louisville Metro has been seeking new ways to help them stay open throughout the restrictions,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “The new on-street dining option will give restaurants the chance to serve more customers in a safe manner while complying with the state restrictions that are necessary to stem the spread of COVID-19.”

Interested restaurants will submit plans to the city for approval before implementation. Restaurants can view a full list of regulations and submit their plan at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/aps/temporary-street-dining.

The temporary on-street dining must be:

• Immediately adjacent to the sidewalk
• In public, on-street parking spaces that do not have peak hour restrictions
• On streets where the speed limit is 35 mph or less
• Located in spaces immediately adjacent to the approved business

Other criteria include: being at least a foot from adjacent travel lanes, 20 feet from intersections and 10 feet from transit stops, functioning curb cuts and fire hydrants. The dining cannot be in bus or bike lanes, loading zones, or designated accessible parking spots, and all plans must meet requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Once the plan is submitted, staff with the Office of Advanced Planning and Sustainability will work with the applicants to discuss the process, cost and any potential challenges. An encroachment permit through either Louisville Metro Public Works or the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is required, depending on the business’ location. Metro staff will work with applicants to apply for those permits.

Restaurants will be responsible for providing their own furniture as well as required barriers for public safety. PARC is offering a discounted rate to bag meters if they are present in front of an establishment.

Pilot opportunity

As part of the launch, Louisville Metro will spend unused Cyclouvia funds to pilot on-street dining opportunities at up to 15 locations throughout the city for one month. This will include paying for barrier rentals and any applicable parking meter costs. Following the monthlong pilot, the businesses can decide whether to assume the cost themselves or remove the barriers.

Restaurants will be chosen based on the following criteria: safety, geography, the ability to partner with a neighboring restaurant, and need. Those will little or no options for other outdoor dining will be prioritized.

This is the latest measure Louisville Metro Government has taken to ease restrictions for restaurants during the pandemic. In May, the Department of Public Works temporarily suspended application fees for restaurants seeking an encroachment permit to add or expand their outdoor seating on public property, including sidewalks. Restaurants must still apply online for an encroachment permit for seating on public property at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/get-permit.

Louisville Forward worked with Louisville Metro Council to pass an emergency ordinance to suspend certain planning and zoning requirements to allow:

• Restaurants to setup or expand outdoor seating on private property or in a parking lot without additional parking, landscaping or other requirements normally required.
• Restaurants that are in compliance with the Land Development Code and that already have a liquor license to serve alcohol outdoors from their existing indoor bar.

The city also waived Tent Permit fees, allowing restaurants to erect canopies, a type of tent that has no side walls or flaps, over their outdoor dining. Restaurants must still apply for a tent permit at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/construction-review/tent-permits.

EWRAP offers financial assistance to MSD customers

Mayor urges those in need to apply for more than $21 million in federal eviction prevention assistance

Residents seeking guidance referred to StopMyEviction.org, a one-stop website for eviction prevention resources and services

LOUISVILLE (August 7, 2020) – Mayor Greg Fischer today urged Louisvillians who need help paying rent due to the impact of COVID-19 to apply for assistance through Louisville Metro Government efforts being funded by $21.2 million from the federal CARES Act.  

The Eviction Prevention COVID-19 Relief Fund launched in July is designed to aid low-to-moderate income households that are delinquent on rent payments as a result of the pandemic. The program will cover up to three months of rent for households facing COVID-related delinquencies.

"Families and individuals who were already rent burdened, or living paycheck-to-paycheck, are particularly vulnerable to the sudden loss in income that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Mayor said. “This eviction prevention assistance will provide much needed relief to help those who need it most to keep a roof over their heads.”

The city’s Office of Resilience and Community Services is administering this assistance for eligible households earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income ($61,100 annually for a family of four). Appointments are required in advance to apply utilizing an automated appointment system described below. 

Eviction Prevention Assistance for households

How to apply:

Jefferson County residents who meet the below eligibility requirements can call an automated scheduler at 502-977-6636 or visit online at EvictionPRevention.itfrontdesk.com.

Eligibility:

• Jefferson County residency
• Must have a pending court eviction, or a past due notice from landlord
• Household income up to 80% AMI (Area Median Income) within the previous 30 days (see more details here.) 
• The assistance is necessary to avoid eviction
• Reasonable prospect that the household will be able to resume payments within a reasonable period of time
• Households facing COVID-related delinquencies 

The Mayor also noted that landlords of federal, state or locally subsidized multi-family or single family units (i.e., LIHTC, CDBG, HOME Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Louisville CARES or to tenants that receive Section 8) may also apply on behalf of multiple tenants, which streamlines the application process by eliminating the need for income verification. This portion of the program is administered by Louisville Metro Office of Housing, part of Develop Louisville.

How to apply:

Landlords in Jefferson County meeting eligibility may apply for assistance on behalf of their tenants by visiting https://louisvilleky.gov/government/develop-louisville/eviction-prevention 

To be eligible, the landlord must:

• Be currently registered on the Rental Registry.
• Have no outstanding code violations for the property for which rent is being paid.
• Waive all late fees, fines, and penalties.
• Forgo evictions for assisted tenants for 60 days after assistance is provided.
• Provide pre-COVID-19 rent rolls to document delinquency rates before and after the pandemic. 

Also today, the Mayor extended thanks to members of the Louisville’s Eviction Prevention Task Force, a collaboration of stakeholders representing the public, private and nonprofit sectors working to reduce Louisville’s eviction rate. The Task force recently launched a website called StopMyEviction.org that has a multitude of eviction prevention resources and services in one location.

Visit www.stopmyeviction.org for the following information and services, including:

• Rental assistance and resources for tenants who are behind on their rent
• Help coordinating assistance when facing an eviction
• Support from a Task Force coordinator who will review requests on an online form and respond within 48 hours

The Legal Aid Society, part of the Eviction Prevention Task Force, provides legal assistance to tenants facing eviction in order to prevent homelessness. Legal Aid lawyers represent tenants in court to help avoid an eviction and maintain stability. To apply for Legal Aid’s assistance visit www.yourlegalaid.org or call (502) 584-1254.

For more information about rental assistance, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/develop-louisville/eviction-prevention, visit www.stopmyeviction.org, or call Metro United Way’s help referral service at 211.

Pappy raffle benefits South Louisville organization

One lucky person will walk away with 6 bottles of the most sought-after bourbon in the world.  Cox’s and Evergreen liquors have partnered with the Southwest Dream Team to give away 6 bottles of Pappy Van Winkle, just in time for the new Derby Day 2020. Customers can purchase $10 raffle tickets at all neighborhood Cox’s and Evergreen Liquors. (Tickets will be sold through the end of business hours on Thursday, September 3.) Then at 12n on September 4 (the new Oaks Day), the lucky winner will be selected. The prize package includes Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year, Pappy Van Winkle 15 year, Pappy Van Winkle 20 year, Pappy Van Winkle 23 year and Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 year.  One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the Southwest Dream Team and their efforts with the Louisville Independent Business Alliance to educate about the community benefits of supporting local, independent businesses. Those businesses keep more dollars circulating within our neighborhoods and build a neighborhood’s community character and ‘sense of place’. https://coxslouisville.com/updates/pappy-van-winkle-raffle

Call for artists, Art in City Hall

Louisville Metro Government, Louisville Metro Council and the Commission on Public Art are seeking original, two-dimensional artwork for display in City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson St., for one year. Artists can learn more about the opportunity and are invited to respond to the call for artwork here.