District 17 Newsletter

Louisville Metro Government sent this bulletin at 09/16/2022 12:41 PM EDT

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markus winkler - louisville metro council - district 17

September 16, 2022

Friday Thoughts

Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week and are looking forward to enjoying some of the many fall activities happening in our area this weekend.

This was a busy week at Metro Council, though no major legislation moved out of committee. Over the coming weeks, however, we will continue to work on two important pieces of legislation: a revision to the rental registry that's partially designed to identify units not up to code and a revision to camping-related ordinances to address homeless people camping on metro property and on sidewalks.

Both of these ordinances are well-intentioned and are trying to address significant issues in our city. The poorest in our community often live in substandard housing and issues go unresolved for long periods of time. This is definitely an issue we need to address. We are also starting to see a concerning trend where large swaths of rental property (particularly in the west end) are being bought up by out-of-state hedge funds. This creates the risk of further problems and destabilization and is a trend that should be monitored closely.

However, I often say that legislation is a blunt instrument. In trying to address a specific problem, we may inadvertently create significant new regulation on 'good' actors, creating a disincentive to invest and grow our community. That's a real risk here. It's worth noting that at least some of the substandard units that have been cited in media reporting are owned by the Louisville Metro Housing Authority (or other non-profits) rather than private landlords. In addition, the economics of low-income housing can make it difficult to address all the issues these units have. It's also important to remember that we have regulations that set the standards for housing, but they depend on code enforcement officers to inspect and cite. Finally, getting full compliance can be difficult because our process to foreclose (if necessary) is extremely slow.

On the issue of homelessness, people setting up tents on sidewalks and rights-of-way is a major problem. Our current framework of addressing camps is a hodgepodge of regulations that leads to confusion among LMPD, our homeless outreach workers, Public Works, and more. We should be working to create more safe spaces for those who wish to live outside (without blocking sidewalks), build more affordable and supportive housing, and ensure we have clear regulations that define what agency has responsibility for what and when so there is no confusion.

In short, I think the solution to any of these problems requires a holistic approach and can't be solved with legislation alone. When we try to solve complex problems with only regulation, we run the risk of overreach that can cause unintended consequences. Over the coming weeks, I will work to ensure we have a broader approach to these issues and will keep you updated.

Though talked about in greater detail below, I wanted to make sure to point out the closure of a portion of I-71 South beginning this evening. It'll be a little inconvenient for a week or so, but it will lead to a much better driving experience once the entire project is completed this fall. 

If you need anything in the interim or would like to discuss any of these (or other) issues further, please call anytime. Or, feel free to join me at our next coffee meeting a week from tomorrow!

Contact the District 17 Office

Markus Winkler
17th District Councilman

502.574.1117
markus.winkler@louisvilleky.gov

 

Kip Eatherly
Legislative Aide

502.574.3462
kip.eatherly@louisvilleky.gov

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Important Numbers

Animal Services   473-7387
Codes & Regulations   574-2508
EACM   426-2824
Health & Wellness   574-6520
Jefferson Co. Clerk   574-5700
KY Science Center   561-6100
LG&E   589-1444
LMPD (8th Division)   574-2258
Louisville Water   583-6610
Louisville Zoo   459-2181
Mayor's Office   574-2003
Middletown Library   245-7332
MSD   540-6000
NE Regional Library   394-0379
Parks   574-7275
Planning   574-6230
Public Works   574-5810
TARC   585-1234

Coffee With Your Councilman

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My next "Coffee with your Councilman" will be Saturday, September 24 at 9 a.m. at Malcolm Chancey Elementary School, 4301 Murphy Lane. If you haven't attended one of my coffee meetings before, they are great opportunities to hear what's going on in City Hall and share any concerns or questions you have. These are informal meetings, so don't worry if you can't be there right at 9 or if you have to leave a little early. I hope you'll be able to stop by! 

WHEN: Saturday, September 24 beginning at 9 a.m. 

WHERE: Malcolm Chancey Elementary School library, 4301 Murphy Lane

Closure of I-71 South Between I-264 and I-265

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The map above shows recommended detours for those impacted by the I-71 South closure.


The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recently announced the closure of a portion of I-71 South for ten days beginning today. It will be closed from 8 p.m. tonight until 7 a.m. on Monday, September 26 between I-264 and I-265. The ramps to I-71 South at the I-265 interchange will also be closed. The suggested alternate route for motorists on I-71 South will be I-265 South to I-64 West to I-264 East to I-71 South. Those on I-265 North are advised to continue on to U.S. 42 West to I-264 East to I-71 South.

This closure will allow contractors to make repairs to these southbound lanes of I-71 in preparation for a resurfacing project. Northbound lanes will remain open during this time. The entire project is scheduled to be completed this fall. 
 

PDS Weekly Activity Report

Each week, Metro Planning and Design Services (PDS) issues a report listing all new land use applications in Jefferson County. These requests can include landscape plans, variances, changes in zoning, and more. There are two properties in District 17 that are the subject of cases in this week's report. Costco has requested to add five fuel pumps and a 4,335 square foot expansion of its gas station canopy at 5020 Norton Healthcare Boulevard. Culver's, going in at 10601 Fischer Park Drive, has applied for waivers regarding pedestrian connection to Westport Road and the depth of the landscape buffer along Westport Road.

Please click on the link in the report or contact the listed case manager with any questions or comments about these cases.   

LMAS Announces Free Adoptions

LMAS


Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) is operating at maximum capacity (they've taken in 330 stray cats and dogs in the past two weeks), creating an urgent need to reduce the kennel population. To help make room, LMAS has announced they will make all adoptions free and waive the reclaim fee for unclaimed pets. Spay/Neuter, microchips, and vaccinations are included in the adoption as is a large bag of dog food for every dog adopted.

The Animal House Adoption Center is located at 3516 Newburg Road. Walk-ins are welcome from 12-6 p.m. daily and Fridays until 7 p.m. Click here to view adoptable pets or those reported as lost. 
    

Brightside Community-Wide Cleanup - Registration Open

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These bags were collected at a cleanup along Murphy Lane last year.


Registration opens today for the Brightside Community-Wide Cleanup on Saturday, October 22. Not only is this a great way to beautify areas in or near your neighborhood, it is also a great service opportunity for boy/girl scouts, faith groups, or corporate teams. While the official cleanup is October 22, neighborhoods can schedule their own cleanup at any time throughout the year. Brightside will provide the gloves and trash bags and work with Solid Waste Management to have the litter bags collected. If you get one scheduled, please let me know. Our office would be glad to help if schedules allow. 

Call Brightside at 574-2613 or click here to register. Thank you for your support!
    

Impound Lot Amnesty - September 19-23

The Louisville Metro Police Department has announced its second amnesty period regarding the Frankfort Avenue Impound Lot located at 1487 Frankfort Avenue. From Monday, September 19 through Friday, September 23, towing and storage fees will be waived for those retrieving their vehicles from this lot. The first amnesty period earlier this year led to about 40 more cars being retrieved from the lot than in an average week. This helps create more space for abandoned vehicles in our community.

The Frankfort Avenue Impound Lot is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Click here to determine if your vehicle is at this location. 
   

No District 17 Newsletter Next Friday

Due to vacations and out-of-town travel, our office will not have a newsletter going out next Friday. We'll pick back up Friday, September 30. 

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