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At last night’s Metro Council meeting, the Council took up a number of zoning cases, appointments to board and commissions as well as an annexation in Jeffersontown and the proposed ordinance that would create a 12’ buffer zone at facilities that provide healthcare services. The Metro Council also recognized Mr. Todd Dunn of the United Auto Works (UAW) for the many service project he and his union members accomplish each year building accessible ramps as well as playgrounds and other needed community assets. Below is a summary of a few of the items voted on last night.
O-336-20 – An ordinance that would have established a new 12’ wide buffer zone near entrances to health care facilities adjacent to publicly owned property. I joined 6 Democrats and all my Republican colleagues in voting this proposal down by a vote of 12-13. I voted against this ordinance for a variety of reasons. The first being that I believe this ordinance would be challenged and would lose in the courts for its restrictions on the 1st Amendment freedom of speech protections. I also believe that this ordinance was truly tailored to a single entity, the EMW Clinic, which offers abortion and other reproductive services. This position is based on the fact that no other hospitals have sought these buffers, nor were they consulted on the creation of the ordinance. The sponsors unwillingness to support a sunset provision to remove the buffer once the COVID state of emergency is lifted, along with the lack of police actions needed at the clinic over the past few years are a few of the reasons I joined the majority of members of the Council in voting this proposal down.
O-290-20 An ordinance allowing the annexation of Landher Estates into the City of Jeffersontown was passed unanimously. This petition had the strong support of both the residents of the neighborhood as well as the City of Jeffersontown and will allow those residents to pay a higher tax rate, but also receive additional services provided by the City of Jeffersontown.
R-102-20 A resolution requesting the Planning Commission review the current land development code and return with recommendations on how to make the code more inclusive and equitable for the people of Louisville Metro. This resolution passed unanimously and will return to the Metro Council once planning staff have formulated a series of recommendations for inclusion in the land code.
Appointments – Several appointments on neighborhood boards, the individual landmarks board, Kentucky Science Center and other boards we approved by the Metro Council. We are always looking for people interested in serving on a board/commission. If you have interest in participating or being appointed to such a board, please contact my office or click HERE to apply.
The Next meeting of the Louisville Metro Council will be on Thursday, September 3, 2020. If you would like to view last night’s meeting you can do so by clicking HERE
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