District 4 Weekly E-News ⚜️

Louisville Metro Government sent this bulletin at 08/03/2023 09:00 PM EDT

Thursday, August 3, 2023

Our city needs an anti-displacement policy. That's why we worked with residents in Historically Black Neighborhood to write one. We're having town halls for anyone who wants to learn more.

Historically Black Neighborhoods Ordinance In-Person Townhall
Sunday, August 6th @ 3:00 PM
Saint Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 3112 West Broadway

Historically Black Neighborhoods Ordinance Virtual Townhall
Tuesday, August 8th @ 6:00 PM
Online (Zoom) Registration

We plan to have our first debate about the ordinance on Tuesday, August 15th @ 1:00 PM in the Planning and Zoning Committee at City Hall. If you want to support please join us at 601 W Jefferson St, Third Floor. If you can't make the meeting please sign our petition here.

Councilman Jecorey Arthur
Louisville Metro Council District 4
601 West Jefferson Street｜Louisville, KY 40202
P: (502)574-1104

CIVICS

Louisville Metro Comprehensive Review Commission

During the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly Session, House Bill 314 was passed, changing how Louisville Metro Government works. This bill also created a commission to study the "accomplishments and insufficiencies" of our local government. Councilman Jecorey Arthur was appointed to the commission along with other local and state officials. The commission's last meeting is scheduled for Friday, August 11th 3:00 PM at Louisville City Hall. For more information go here.

District 4 Tele-Town Hall

Tuesday, August 15th 6:00-7:00 PM

Video-In: https://louisvilleky.webex.com/meet/D4

Phone-In: (415)655-0001

Access Code: 180-005-6522 #

Stream: facebook.com/loudistrict4

Note: You do not need to download WebEx to join by video on a computer. Once you press 'cancel' on the link's popup there is an option to join by browser at the bottom of the screen.

Legislation

Historically Black Neighborhoods Ordinance — This ordinance will help prevent displacement by creating a displacement index to be used for new city-supported developments in select neighborhoods. To show support, sign the petition here. It was assigned to the Planning and Zoning Committee and will be on hold until further notice.
Community Benefits Ordinance — This ordinance will require developers to execute community benefits agreements with neighborhoods prior to the approval of financial incentives such as tax increment financing (TIF) or industrial revenue bonds (IRB). The District 4 office is working with Louisville Forward, local unions, and several neighborhoods on this.
Gun Buyback Ordinance — This ordinance will start a pilot program where Louisvillians can sell guns to be destroyed.
Right to Shelter Ordinance — This will create more shelter space for people experiencing houselessness. To show support, sign the petition here.
Short Term Rental Moratorium — This ordinance will pause new short term rental registrations and permits in Louisville. It passed the Planning and Zoning Committee but will be held at the next Council meeting.
FY24 District 4 Sidewalk Repairs — There will be several sidewalks getting approved for repair funding in the next couple months. The District 4 office is waiting on an updated sidewalk list to share.
Short-Term Rental Ordinance — This ordinance will update rules about short-term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO, etc). To review the suggested changes here.
JCPS Start Smart Start Times Resolution — This resolution requests employers to accommodate employees with children enrolled in JCPS because of their new start times.
Opioid Funding Ordinance — This resolution approves funding for several local organizations to address the opioid crisis.
Philanthropy and Children's Funding Project Resolution — This resolution approves funding for early childhood training.

Some of the legislation above is drafted but may not have been filed. We welcome input from constituents, experts, and stakeholders. To learn more about what's coming up on Metro Council please go here.

Two-Way Streets Update

Public Works has sent an update to the Metro Council District 4 Office about two-way street conversions. A map can be viewed here but more details are below:

Jefferson Street (Brook to Baxter) – Advertising to bid this summer. If bid responses are good, conversion will begin this Fall.
7^th & 8^th Streets – Will advertise in 2024.
Chestnut; Muhammad Ali; Liberty (Jackson St. to Chestnut Connector); Shelby; and Campbell – Will advertise in 2025.
Logan & Shelby (Goss to Gray St.) – Slated for conversion in 2023.
Main Street (Baxter to Brook St.) – Slated for conversion in 2024 with one lane EB, two lanes WB and a protected WB cycle/scooter facility. Public meetings to be held this summer or Fall.
2^nd St. & 3^rd St. (Broadway to U of L) – Portion of 3^rd Street to be considered for conversion this year. Applying for BIL grant funding for the entire extent of the roadways.
Muhammad Ali & Chestnut/River Park (9^th Street to Shawnee Park) – Plans are complete. Will advertise early 2025.
Northwestern Parkway & Bank Street (33^rd Street to Shawnee Golf Course) – Initiated public engagement. Needs more effort to advance.
22^nd St. & Hodges (Dumesnil to Garfield Ave.) – Initiating a study with public engagement in the coming months.
Mellwood & Story – Planning study will kick off this year or 2024.

NuLu Business Improvement District (BID)

The NuLu Business Association (NBA) is promoting the implementation of a Business Improvement District (BID). A Business Improvement District (BID), or in Kentucky, a Management District, is a designated area within-which property owners vote to assess themselves, based upon property value as determined by the PVA, to provide supplemental services above those provided by local government. There will be a community meeting about this on Tuesday, September 12th at 5:30 PM at the AC Hotel, 727 E Market St. Councilman Jecorey Arthur will be in attendance to learn more. To read more about this and view a map of the proposed district go here.

CITY

Mosquitoes Carrying West Nile Virus Found in Additional Jefferson County Zip Codes

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) has found additional mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus in surveillance traps in seven more ZIP codes: 40203, 40206, 40208, 40211, 40212, 40213 and 40217. To help prevent infection and reduce the mosquito population, mosquito fogging will take place later today, weather permitting, in the areas of Portland, Irish Hills, Audubon Park and Churchill Downs. Early next week, fogging operations will continue in the Riverpark, Merriweather and Shelby Park communities. To learn more, click here.

Mayor Greenberg, LMPD, Emergency Services Give Update on Hazardous Materials Investigation

Providing an update on Louisville Metro Police Department’s and federal law enforcement’s investigations into hazardous and explosive materials in a home in Louisville’s Highview neighborhood, Mayor Craig Greenberg on Tuesday announced Metro Government’s plans to move swiftly and safely to eliminate the risks at the property while protecting public health. Declaring a State of Emergency to ensure the safest response and access to necessary resources, Mayor Greenberg also announced the city would be reaching out directly to neighborhood residents to provide information and resources. To learn more, click here.

Mayor Greenberg Joins UofL President Schatzel to Celebrate Summerworks, Stem Partnership

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and University of Louisville President Dr. Kim Schatzel joined Paul Costel of JPMorgan Chase, other community leaders and SummerWorks participants to wrap up the 2023 season and highlight the program’s expanding relationship with the university. To learn more, click here.

APCD Notice of Public Comment Period and Hearing

The Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (District) is opening a 30-day public comment period starting July 31, 2023, on a proposed Agreed Board Order with Swift Pork Company to resolve violations of District Regulation 1.13: Prohibition of Objectionable Odors and District Regulation 2.17: Federally Enforceable District Origin Operating Permits. The District issued Notices of Violation ENF-19-1017, ENF-19-1018, APCD-ENF-20-00006, ENF-APCD-20-00032, and ENF-APCD-21-00009 for these violations. To learn more, click here.

Public Input Process Beginning on Pool Improvements

Louisville Parks and Recreation and Metro Council are beginning the public input process on renovations to the Algonquin and Camp Taylor pools with four opportunities coming in August for interested residents to weigh in. Residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback on what features they’d like to see at both pools, which have been closed this summer as Metro Government develops plans to improve both facilities. To learn more, click here.

Legal Aid Society Guide to Protections Against Landlord Discrimination

Please view the short legal guide to protections against landlord discrimination based on lawful source of income. To learn more, click here.

Land Development Code Reform

The Land Development Code (LDC) is a set of rules and laws that defines how land can be used, how a development such as a new shopping mall or apartment must be designed, and the procedures for approval. The LDC Reform is an equity focused approach to revise the LDC consistently with Plan 2040 to allow for increased housing choices and opportunities in new and existing neighborhoods, to create procedures and regulations that are easier to use, and increase the quality of life by reducing the concentration of environmental hazards near housing.

Work to reform the LDC began in the summer of 2020. Initial recommendations, including accessory dwelling units, notification procedures, and urban agriculture were all adopted within the first year. The work continues and we encourage you to participate!

To learn about the currently proposed amendments to the LDC, please click HERE to view the content or copy the following link into the address bar of your web browser: https://arcg.is/05LCLX0.

Please contact Joel Dock, Planning Coordinator at 502-574-5860 or send an email to ldcreform@louisvilleky.gov with any questions or comments.

COMMUNITY

Music in the Park

Louisville Parks and Recreation and JenCare Senior Medical Center are again partnering to host the third annual Music in the Park, a free concert series designed for people ages 55 and older, located in parks around the city of Louisville. Music in the Park will take place on the third Thursdays in July through October 2023. Those attending the concerts should bring a lawn chair or blanket, as seating is limited. To learn more, click here.