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IN THIS ISSUE...
Living near mass transit has its advantage. When traffic cooperates I am 15 minutes or less away from the best of what Louisville has to offer. At a time when convenience reigns queen I have absolutely no regrets about living just a block south of I-264. And yet life near a highway ramp can be difficult. Neighborhood disconnect, compromised air quality, noise, overgrowth, graffiti, litter, transient activities, design challenges, a high concentration of neighbors in crisis brought about by the accessibility of drugs and money, and inappropriate unsupported land use. As a result, our neighbors living closet to our highways and interstate ramps are asked to absorb the challenges that make life more convenient for our overall community. For many, the injustices associated with living near a ramp can be difficult to discern and may even feel uncomfortable. Fortunately, the neighbors of Wilder Park and Beechmont were committed to learning more. In the month of July neighborhood volunteers knocked over 100 doors of the streets abutting I-264 near S 3rd St & Southern Pkwy with a goal understanding experience (e.g. Florence, Adair, 1st, Lansing, Southern Pkwy, Southern Heights). Below is a recap of what I learned.
- Neighbors living closest to the ramps have a high degree of disconnect from each other, their neighborhood associations, and Metro services. Many of these neighbors are aging with health issues, speak limited English, and have few housing options.
- Compromised safety, illegal activity stemming from drugs, and inappropriate land use were the most frequently reported concerns impacting day-to-day functioning and one’s relationship to their block. Generally speaking the closer one lived to the ramps the more challenges they reported.
- In most instances, the individual issues experienced daily were so significant that it was difficult for neighbors to see the role that the highway ramps played in shaping the collective environment.
Despite these challenges, many expressed having friendly neighbors, affordable housing, and being centrally located. For all these reasons and for the health of the overall community - solutions are worth exploring! While there is no one solution, there are impactful actions we can take in this moment. Here are a few on my list, it is certainly not exhaustive.
- Be curious about those experiencing environmental injustice. Connect with them, invite them to a neighborhood meeting or community event.
- Organize group walks or activities focused on positive use of space e.g. block parties, youth events, etc.
- Send written requests to KYTC and Metro agencies for more resources and specific deliverables (e.g. maintenance, beautification, outreach, and enforcement).
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Are you tired of seeing semis parked on neighborhood roads? Metro Council's Planning and Zoning Committee passed an ordinance to expand heavy truck parking (overnight storage). The goal is to create more allowable options e.g. properties zoned in M1 (by right) and C2 & C3 (conditional use) to expand the market and decrease the illegal parking we see on the streets- think Southland Blvd. Protection was given to prevent parking near residential properties and uses like schools, address access and create a separation to prevent saturation along a particular corridor. The ordinance will advance to the full Council for a vote.
It will be heard this Thursday, September 8th with the Metro Council Meeting starting at 6pm. If you would like to speak (in person or virtual), you can sign up here: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/visit-or-speak-metro-council-meeting
The Planning and Zoning Committee 8-2-2022 meeting can be viewed here: http://louisville.granicus.com/player/clip/7650?view_id=2...
WHAT TO EXPECT
 ROAD CLOSURES, DISCOUNTED TICKETS, AND MORE
 COMMUNITY HOTLINE: 502-233-4880
 Register here: https://prestonareabizalliance.org/event-4955269
 UPCOMING PARK STEWARD TRAINING: Volunteers are essential to helping keep Louisville’s Olmsted Parks beautiful! Whether one day a week or several times a year, individuals and groups can join the effort to restore and enhance Louisville’s Olmsted Parks. Park Steward volunteers help restore landscape areas, lead volunteer projects, and assist with community outreach at events in the Olmsted Parks. Whatever your level of interest- you can help make neighborhood parks beautiful and welcoming for all! Training starts September 7. For more information and to register, visit www.olmstedparks.org/get-involved/volunteer/.
- Beechmont Neighborhood Association: Meets 3rd Monday @7:00pm, Iroquois Library
- Iroquois Neighborhood Association: Meets 3rd Tuesday @7:00pm, DeSales High School.
- Preston Park Neighborhood Association: Meets the first Wednesday @6:30pm, Lynnview City Hall
- Lynnview City Council: Meet 2nd Tuesday @6:00pm, 1241 Gilmore Ln
- Wilder Park Neighborhood Association: Meets 1st Tuesday @6:30pm, 121 Fairmont Ave
- Susanna Dr - Block Meeting: September 19 @6:00pm, 3608 Susanna Dr
- Prestonia/Belmar Area Block Meeting: October 10 @6:00pm, Mirage Mediterranean Restaurant, 4100 Preston Hwy
We will be available the 3rd Wednesday of each month at Lynnview City Hall (1241 Gilmore Ln. 40213) from 9am-3pm.
Note: The District 21 office uses this time to address issues in the area in addition to being at Lynnview City Hall. You may want to call ahead (502-966-4086) to make sure we will be in the office before you stop in.
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