Councilwoman
Paula McCraney
601 W. Jefferson Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 574-1107
Click Here to Email Councilwoman McCraney:
Visit the District 7 Website
Follow Councilwoman McCraney on Facebook and Twitter:
@PaulaMcCraneyD7
Phone Numbers
of Interest
Air Pollution: 574-6000
Animal Services: 363-6609 or 361-1318
Anonymous Tipline:
574-LMPD (5673)
Brightside: 574-2613
Jefferson County Clerk's Office: 574-5700
Legal Aid: 584-1254
Metro Call: 311 or 574-5000
Metro Parks: 574-7275
Metro Police: (Non Emergency) 574-7111 or 574-2111
Metro Safe: 572-3460
or 574-7111
MSD: 587-0603
PARC: 569-6222
Poison Control: 589-8222
Property Valuation Administration: 502-574-6380
Public Works: 574-5810
Solid Waste Management (SWMS): 574-3571
TARC: 585-1234
Veteran's Affairs: 595-4447
|
The Ballard High School boy's basketball team won the Louisville Invitational Tournament title last Saturday by beating Male 80-71 in the championship game. It's Ballard's first LIT championship since 2020.
Hello Neighbors and Friends,
The Metro Council committee meetings started Tuesday, so we can officially say that we are in full force for 2023. As I mentioned last week, I was elected as the Caucus Chairwoman, with the responsibility of assigning Democratic Caucus Council members to committees. This year, our new Council President, Markus Winkler (D-17), announced the following Committees: Tuesday Committee Meetings: Planning & Zoning, Labor & Economic Development, Public Works, and Public Safety; Wednesday Committee Meetings: Equity, Community Affairs, Housing, Health, & Education, and Government Oversight & Appointments; Thursday Committee Meetings: Parks & Sustainability, and Budget & Appropriations.
This year, I serve on the Budget Committee, Committee on Committees, Committee of the Whole, Personnel Committee, and will chair the Caucus Rules Committee. The Personnel Committee and Rules Committee meet on an as-needed basis; the others meet bi-weekly.
Along with assigning members to committees, I have been attending community and zoning meetings. On January 19th, I attended the zoning meeting for Bull Run, a 72-unit rental townhome development. The developers asked for approval to change the current R-4 zoning to R-5A on property located at 1920 and 1922 Herr Lane. This is not a mixed-use structure, Section 8 development, or low-income housing as erroneously stated on social media.
Developers presented the following key points about the development plan:
- No Waivers and No Variances
- Provides diverse housing for area
- Provides new housing on a scale appropriate with the adjoining land uses
- Provides reasonable priced housing near schools
- Provides buffer between single family homes and the larger Providence Point
- Good access to activity center (sidewalks, road, and TARC)
- Significant Open Space and healthy recreation provided
- Complies with the Comprehensive Plan and CHASE Principals
Additionally, the developers presented results of a June 2022 traffic impact study that concluded based upon the volume of traffic generated by the development and the amount of traffic forecasted for the year 2025 and 2035, there will be an impact to the existing highway network. The improvements required of Providence Point (another proposed development that is on hold for several years) will be sufficient to handle the traffic generated by Bull Run Townhomes. If Bull Run Townhomes proceeds to construction before Providence Point, the improvements shown on Herr Lane at the entrance opposite Wesboro Road will be constructed and are sufficient for traffic generated by this development. No additional improvements are needed.
|
Residents attending the hearing argued that much needed infrastructure improvements along Herr Lane are dependent upon the larger Providence Point development; so therefore, if the Bull Run project is built first, the improvements, particularly those that may mitigate traffic, will not be required. District 7 citizens also lamented that the developers did not meet the 2040 Plan on planning development because they failed to work with neighborhoods, consensus build, or ask residents what they wanted in the area. The density of the homes was questioned as were the placement of the townhome amenities, landscaping, fencing, air quality, and a proposed fire pit.
After much debate and deliberation, the Planning Commission recommended that the Louisville Metro Council and the City of Graymoor-Devondale approve the change in zoning from R-4 to R-5A. In addition, they recommended that the detailed district development plan with binding elements be approved. The recommendations will be presented in a Planning and Zoning meeting of the Louisville Metro Council in the next several weeks, and unless the Council discovers that the plan does not meet most of the criteria of the Comprehensive Plan (Plan 2040), the recommendation will be adopted. I suspect the same rule or approval process applies to the City of Graymoor-Devondale.
The Comprehensive Plan is the guidepost for all development, and the Planning Commission must use it as one of the guiding principles and tools for making decisions regarding the approval or denial of a neighborhood development project. Click here to...
Read The Comprehensive Plan (Plan 2040)
To stay aware of new development in District 7, sign up for Gov Delivery notifications:
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/KYLOUISVILLE/subscriber/new
|
I was the host and speaker for the January 19th meeting of the Office For Women Ambassadors inaugural cohort. I shared an overview of the Metro Council and my duties as a District 7 Councilwoman.
The 2023 Office For Women Ambassadors leadership program includes 26 diverse women from across Louisville. They have all demonstrated their passion and work on behalf of women, girls and their community. During the 6-month leadership program, the group will build leadership skills, increase networking and collective power, and increase their awareness of issues impacting women and available government and community resources. The goal is for these women to be liaisons for the Office for Women, distributing information out to the community and providing feedback for the Office for Women to improve their work raising the status of women.
Click here for WLKY-TV's coverage of the meeting.
Investigations into the blasting incident that took place on the Louisville VA Medical Center construction site on October 4, 2022, are complete. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Kentucky Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement, and DynoConsult, a third-party consultant retained by the prime contractor Walsh-Turner Joint Venture, each conducted independent investigations to determine the cause of the incident and identify remediation measures for future blasts.
The investigations concluded the incident on October 4, 2022, was the result of an unintended simultaneous detonation of several explosive charges which were designed to detonate on a precisely timed sequence. As a result, rock fragments landed on I-264 and nearby properties.
To safely complete the remaining rock removal at the site, USACE and state regulating officials required the contractor to provide an updated risk remediation plan. The Kentucky Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement and USACE have reviewed and approved the blast remediation plan. This plan includes increasing the space between charges and the use of a soil overburden along with a layer of blast mats. Traffic will also be stopped on I-264 during each of the remaining blasts. Representatives from the Kentucky Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement will be on-site during the process of drilling, loading, and blasting.
Blasting resumed this week at the rate of one per day, weather and equipment permitting. Five more blasts are scheduled to complete the blasting work on the project.
Safety remains our number one priority. Ensuring all work on the construction site is performed according to safety guidelines, and local and state laws, is paramount to safeguarding area residents and those working on the site.
Area residents who have further questions are encouraged to contact USACE Louisville District Public Affairs by emailing LOUVAMCconstruction@usace.army.mil.
Please click the following links for related local news coverage from WHAS11 and WDRB.
COMMUNITY COMMUNICATIONS PRIORITY
- Active website with VAMC construction updates.
- Active email managed by USACE for the community to email and ask questions about construction issues.
-
93 people have signed up for weekly updates in the last month. USACE PAO sends out a weekly construction activity update to the mailing list.
- USACE PAO puts out videos and articles related to the activities as construction
progresses, as well as employee spotlights, etc.
- On-site staff have cards to reference for inquiries during public encounters.
- Mayor’s meeting takes place on the third Wednesday every month at 3pm.
- KTR’s Weekly Progress Meeting includes community relations topics.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
- Normal construction activities take place from 7am-5pm. Louisville Metro Noise Ordinance restricts construction activities extending past 9pm.
- Area residents may see work taking place on the construction site on Saturdays to make up for time lost due to weather delays. Additional days/times will be coordinated/approved by USACE.
- Vertical steel erection continues on the main hospital.
- Underground utility placement continues.
- Concrete placement continues (foundations, basement walls).
- Foundation systems (drilled piers) continue to be installed.
- There are now three cranes on site. Two (yellow and white) will be used for steel erection at the main hospital and a third (black) will be used to erect the precast concrete panels for the north parking garage.
- Mechanical rock breaking is nearing completion (dependent on when blasting resumes).
- A rock crusher remains on site to break larger stone into useful material.
- A street sweeper is being used to manage minor debris/mud at site entrance.
- Water trucks remain on site for dust mitigation.
Six-week look-a-head
- Tentative plan to reconvene blasting in southwest corner.
- Sewer tie-in outside the back gate on Carlimar Lane.
- Continued vertical steel erection and precast concrete panel placement.
- More materials are being brought onto the site as work progresses.
COMMUNITY ISSUES AND CONCERNS
From last Mayor’s Meeting:
- Work for a sanitary sewer tie-in outside the back gate on Carlimar Lane is planned to begin in February.
- USACE is coordinating with the contractor to ensure public safety and homeowner access.
- It will be done in three phases:
- The contractor will tie into the sanitary sewer at the existing manhole in the roadway. The roadway will temporarily be repaired with concrete.
- Louisville Water Company will tie into water lines near the yard of 1605 Carlimar Lane.
- The contractor will restore the area by placing topsoil and seeding the grass areas. They will also mill and replace asphalt for entire end of
street.
- Contractor vehicles will access the area from the south gate of the property.
Email comments/questions:
- Security camera near neighborhood fence line.
- Cameras only monitor the construction site property and neighborhood properties are “blacked out” so not to be seen or recorded.
To read about the most recent VA Medical Center construction events, go to:
https://www.va.gov/louisville-health-care/programs/new-robley-rex-va-medical-center
To request weekly updates about the construction events, send an email requesting updates to: LOUVAMCCONSTRUCTION@USACE.ARMY.MIL
For ALL construction-related inquiries, please email:
LOUVAMCCONSTRUCTION@USACE.ARMY.MIL
Check us out on social media:
If you desire further information on this pre‐application online, use the following link to view the case file assembled and maintained by Louisville Metro Planning & Design Services:
Accela Citizen Access
Click on the “Search” tab, then “Planning Applications”. Enter case number in
“Record Number” data field, then click “Record Info” tab.
Applications from 1/13/2023 to 1/19/2023:
| Permit ID |
Ap Type |
Address |
Contact Name |
Submit Date |
Total Sq Ft |
Est Cost |
| COM-ALT-23-00023 |
Commercial Alteration |
7900 SHELBYVILLE RD |
Dever Alex |
01/13/2023 |
4187 |
630000 |
| RES-ALT-23-00050 |
Residential Alteration |
2419 CHATTESWORTH LN |
STONEHENGE CONSTRU |
01/13/2023 |
392 |
60000 |
| COM-ALT-23-00022 |
Commercial Alteration |
2015 HERR LN, UNIT D |
A L POST INC |
01/13/2023 |
2280 |
100000 |
| COM-FND-23-00003 |
Commercial Foundation |
4660 SHELBYVILLE RD, UNIT 8 |
Paul Mattingly |
01/19/2023 |
184 |
1 |
At least one case of measles connected to the outbreak in Columbus, Ohio, has been confirmed in Kentucky, according to state health officials. The outbreak in Columbus has infected 85 children there since October. Currently, there are no confirmed or suspected cases in Jefferson County.
Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. Measles typically begins with:
- High fever (may spike to more than 104°),
- Cough,
- Runny nose (coryza), and
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis).
Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis.
Measles can be prevented with the two-dose MMR vaccine. The CDC recommends that children get the first dose of the vaccine when they are 12 to 15 months old and the second dose when they are 4 to 6 years old. One dose of the vaccine is about 93% effective at preventing measles, while both doses are about 97% effective, the CDC says.
The Department of Public Health and Wellness provides adult and children’s vaccines. Find locations and how to schedule an appointment on our Immunizations website.
In recognition of Radon Awareness Week (January 23-27), now is the time to learn more ways to prevent radon in your home.
Radon is an odorless, colorless, radioactive gas. It is also the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General’s office estimate radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Since it is difficult to identify any immediate symptoms related to radon exposure, it may take years before health problems appear.
Having your home tested is the only effective way to determine whether you or your family is at risk of radon exposure. If you would like to obtain a free test kit, please email loumetrohealth@louisvilleky.gov
The people of Louisville have experienced sky-high utility bills following a shocking wave of subzero windchill temperatures, however those days may be over. Louisville Gas & Electric Company has announced customers utility bills could be slashed as much as 16% due to the price of natural gas lowering and Louisville's weather warming up. Click here for more information.
Louisville Metro Government’s Office of Planning and Design Services received more 3,100 development applications in 2022, reaching a decade high.
“These numbers show that there is significant interest in investing in Louisville across the board, whether is it a single-family homeowner seeking to add an accessory dwelling unit their property or a company proposing a large development with commercial and residential uses,” said Emily Liu, Director of the Office of Planning and Design Services.
Those numbers do not include applications for short-term rentals or signage. Last year, 904 applications were submitted requesting the approval of new short-term rentals, and 595 applications were submitted related to new or replacement signage.
Also, in 2022, Louisville Metro Government’s boards and commissions, including the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment, approved plans that included adding nearly 5,000 new multi-family units and 1,105 new single-family units to the city’s housing stock, and they approved plans for more than 7.1 million square feet of commercial and industrial development. In May, Planning and Design Services began offering hybrid options for its the boards and commissions, allowing more than 1,000 people to join virtually.
In addition to Planning and Design Services’ work to review development plans and application, the office continued its multiyear equity review of the Land Development Code (LDC), which aims to bring the LDC in line with the city’s comprehensive plan Plan 2040, allow for increased housing choices and opportunities in new and existing neighborhoods, create procedures and regulations that are easier to use, and increase the quality of life by reducing environmental hazards near housing.
In 2022, the LDC was successfully amended, with approval from Metro Council, to permit childcare facilities in all residential zones as long as they obtain a conditional use permit. Other LDC amendments include the passage of regulations related to heavy truck parking and outdoor dining spaces for restaurants. For more information about the LDC review, visit: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/planning-design/land-development-code-reform.
Other noteworthy accomplishments include:
- Liu was the first woman in Kentucky to be named to the prestigious American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) College of Fellows for her outstanding achievements in urban planning.
- The National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded Louisville Metro Government (LMG) a $150,000 grant to restore electrical services in the historic Quinn Chapel AME Church.
- National Alliance of Preservation Commissions recognized LMG’s Landmarks Commission for the survey work conducted on buildings in the Beechmont neighborhood and city of Lynnview.
- The National Parks Service awarded LMG a $30,000 grant to complete a survey and National Register nomination for the James Taylor-Jacob School neighborhood.
Louisville Parks and Recreation’s annual golf passes for the 2023 calendar year are available for purchase in person and online.
Annual passes cover green fees for the 2023 calendar year (January 1 to December 31), after a user fee per round is assessed each time a pass is used. Prices vary by course and dynamic pricing may apply during peak playing times.
Annual golf cart passes are available for $75, plus a user fee per pass used. New annual pass holders will be required to visit the golf desk located in the parks department’s administrative building, located in Joe Creason Park (1297 Trevilian Way), across from the Louisville Zoo, for photo identification.
Those interested in renewing their passes may purchase their 2023 pass online, over the phone by calling (502) 574-PARK (7275) or by visiting the golf desk Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4pm.
|
 |
Louisville has been named one of “52 Places to Travel in 2023” on a worldwide list curated by The New York Times. Our city is one of 52 must-see destinations spotlighted, which included cities and regions around the globe such as London, Istanbul, Taipei and Madrid. Touted as a beautiful and under-the-radar destination fueled by a spirited Bourbon culture and thriving LGBTQ scene, Louisville is one of only twelve U.S. destinations listed.
New year, new you! Grace into your new year with a self-care theme day on January 29th from 1-4pm at the Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. Third St. Reset yourself with some meditation; grab your yoga mats and do a yoga session with Yogi Maya Black; and vibe with some music while sipping a beverage in the Grand Hall. All programming is FREE for attendees to the Museum. Click here for more information.
Answers to the puzzle are listed at the bottom of this newsletter.
Metro Louisville now has an interactive map that will allow you to see what is happening in your neighborhood as well as others across the city. The map updates daily and if you choose you can receive alerts for your area by subscribing using the red receive alerts button on the page. Click here to try it out: Interactive Map to Track Crime.
Message from the LMPD 8th Division
Please make note of the below tips to help make sure theft doesn't happen to you.
- Never leave anything of value in your vehicle; this includes laptops, purses, GPS devices and even loose change.
- Do not leave your vehicle running while unattended.
- Always lock your vehicle doors.
- Remove garage door openers from vehicles when parked outside.
- Do not leave your keys in your vehicle, this includes key-fobs.
- Do not leave the windows of your vehicle open, or partially open.
- Try to park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
- Never leave a firearm unprotected in your vehicle.
- Immediately report any suspicious person, or vehicle to (502) 574-7111.
Stay aware of new development in your area! Sign up for Gov Delivery notifications at:
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/KYLOUISVILLE/subscriber/new
On January 1, 2019, a new Comprehensive Plan, called Plan 2040, went into effect. As a resident of District 7 (or any district in Louisville), it is important to review the Comprehensive Plan if you are interested in development that is proposed for the neighborhood. The Comprehensive Plan is the guidepost for all development, and the Planning Commission must use it as one of the guiding principles and tools for making decisions regarding the approval or denial of a neighborhood development project.
Read The Comprehensive Plan (Plan 2040)
The Comprehensive Plan is representative of over 6,000 voices, including Metro staff, an advisory committee, and resident volunteers. The Advisory Committee, made up of diverse representatives from neighborhood and community organizations as well as development and business interests, finalized its recommended goals, objectives, and policies on February 21, 2018.
On April 16, 2018, the Planning Commission recommended the Comprehensive Plan for approval. The document was then reviewed by the Metro Council as well as 12 local municipalities with zoning authority for formal adoption. Those 12 local municipalities are: Anchorage, Douglass Hills, Graymoor-Devondale, Hurstbourne, Indian Hills, Jeffersontown, Lyndon, Middletown, Prospect, Shively, St. Matthews, and St. Regis Park.
Health experts recommend people living in high community-level counties to wear a mask indoors in public, stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if experiencing symptoms. Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness.
If you test positive for COVID, but aren't sure what to do, call the LOU Health COVID-19 Helpline at 502-912-8598. The hotline is available Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and language translation services are available.
Subscribe to Louisville Metro's Covid-19 e-newsletter for the latest news!
Monkeypox tends to spread through close contact with someone who is infected with the virus. It can spread through prolonged face-to-face contact and intimate physical contact such as kissing, cuddling or sex. The virus can also be spread through materials, like bedding, that has previously touched an infectious rash or bodily fluids.
Click here for more information: monkeypox
Louisville Metro Council livestreams all of its regular meetings and committee meetings on Facebook Live.
To see all meetings on Facebook Live, go to the Metro Council Facebook page by clicking here.
The public can also view all council and committee meetings on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 or on UVERSE at Channel 99. Proceedings are live streamed from the Metro Council Clerk’s Archived Media page here.
To watch the Council meeting and access the agenda and related attachments, click HERE.
Click Here to: View All Agencies
Click Here to Visit Website for Laws, State Legislators, Watch Bills, etc
Click here for more info.
District 7 Disclaimer: By taking part in District 7 events, you grant Councilwoman Paula McCraney full rights to use the images resulting from photograph/video filming. Councilwoman McCraney will have the right to any reproductions or adaptations of the images for inclusion in her e-Newsletter or other Council publications. This might include, but is not limited to, the right to use them in printed and online materials, social media and news releases.
If you do not wish to be photographed, please email the District 7 office at paula.mccraney@louisvilleky.gov prior to event attendance.
Wuzzle Answer Key
1. Trip Around the World
2. Lemonade
3. Long Legs
4. Advice
5. Spaceman
6. Big Bad Wolf
7. Many Thanks or Thanks a Lot
8. Download
9. No Idea
10. Comfortable
11. Forty Years
12. Excuse Me
|
