The Dogs Days Edition Of District 8 Enews Is Live In Louisville

Press release from the City of Louisville:

July 30, 2020

Councilman

Brandon Coan

Email Brandon

Jasmine WeatherbyLegislative Aide

Email Jasmine

Tel: 574-1108

District 8 Website

• Welcome: When Cameron Was in Egypt’s Land
• District 8 Streets Report: The Road to Wellville
• District 8 Development Report: Parking, Lots
• District 8 Crime Report: Partying Is Such Sweet Sorrow
• District 8 Events Calendar: The Fortnight Ahead
• 8 Shout-Outs: The Grateful 8th
• In Two Weeks: The Everything After Edition

Welcome: When Cameron Was in Egypt’s Land

On Monday (8/3), the Metro Council Government Oversight Committee, on which I serve, will begin our investigation into the aftermath of the killing of Breonna Taylor, including: the decision to send LMPD and the National Guard into West Louisville that resulted in the killing of David McAtee; the police’s use of tear gas and other force against protesters and journalists; and other actions and inaction surrounding the protests in our city.

Following prosecutorial decisions by the Kentucky Attorney General and the FBI, we will investigate the circumstances leading up to and culminating in Breonna’s shooting, as well. (We have been advised to steer clear of these matters until such time as criminal charges are brought, so as not to impact the state and federal investigations.)

The Special Meeting of the Government Oversight Committee will start at 2:30pm and may last up to four hours. Chief of Public Safety Amy Hess and Interim Chief of the LMPD Robert Schroeder will be in attendance to answer questions. Here are a few of mine:

If neither state law nor the collective bargaining agreement stopped you (Mayor Greg Fischer) from terminating Detective Brent Hankinson based upon your review of the Public Integrity Unit investigation file, then what is stopping you from terminating Detective Myles Cosgrove and Sergeant Jon Mattingly upon the same bases? Will you commit to reviewing the file again and taking all appropriate action?

When, where and how, specifically, will you release the PIU investigation (Case No 20-019)? The public deserves to review the records as soon as possible.

The Mayor terminated LMPD Chief Steve Conrad because Officers Katie Crews and Allen Austin, who fired shots at David McAtee, did not have their body cameras turned on. You, Chief, stated there "will be discipline" for failing to use cameras, "that is completely unacceptable," and "there is no excuse for their clear failure to (follow) our policy." Why, then, haven’t you terminated the two officers for violations of Standard Operating Procedure 4.31.6 [Wearable Video System/Body-Worn Camera] Procedures and/or other department policies? What is the status of the Officer Crews Professional Standards Unit investigation?

How many other PIU or PSU investigations has LMPD opened since May relating to the protests, including David McAtee’s case, and what is the status of each case? When, where and how will you release them all?

Attorney General Daniel Cameron has said he has no timeline for Breonna Taylor’s case. Neither the Mayor nor the Metro Council can force him to charge and arrest the officers involved in her shooting. (Only Senator Mitch McConnell can do that. Kidding. Sorta.) However, it is the City of Louisville’s solemn responsibility, by and through its elected officials, to hold ourselves and our employees accountable for the failures and misdeeds that caused Breonna’s and David’s and Tyler Gerth’s deaths and so much hurt, anger and destruction. Only then can we start to heal and confront Injustice, together.

For the latest news, resources and government response to the coronavirus crisis, please visit these local, state and federal websites. For breaking news and information, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If you have a question or comment, please email me at: brandon.coan@louisvilleky.gov (and copy jasmine.weatherby@louisvilleky.gov) or call: (502) 574-1108. If you have a service request, please call Metro 311 or visit Metro311 online. Visit the District 8 Strategic Plan page here.

District 8 Streets Report: The Road to Wellville

In this space, we provide updates on major projects and report on upcoming (scheduled and funded) streets and other infrastructure improvements.

Preliminary efforts are underway to implement the Bardstown Road Safety Study. The lane light system has stopped reversing; the no stopping signs have been removed to allow full-time, on-street parking for businesses; and 95 street lights have been converted to LED. (Forty-three (43) additional fixtures will dramatically improve lighting and visibility from East Broadway to Wendell Avenue). Soon, clearer lane lines, new left turn lanes at signalized intersections, bus stop respacing and more are expected to be tested and the data collected and studied before the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet makes a final decision on removing the lane lights. This will likely take months of due diligence, including signal phasing and operational changes and input from residents, businesses and partner agencies.

The current lane light system was installed in 2008 and it is nearing its functional life in the next couple of years. The cost to replace it would exceed $1,300,000. Neither KYTC nor Metro has a budget for that. By contrast, while the cost to remove the infrastructure – 27 spans, 108 signs and 40 blank-out signs – is estimated to be only about a quarter of that, the decreased visual clutter, driver confusion and speeding and increased sidewalk accessibility and tree canopy potential would be transformational.

Permanent changes to the roadway will likely coincide with resurfacing, which is currently scheduled by no later than spring 2022. (I am still holding out hope for Christmas 2020!) In any event, Bardstown Road is coming back, so now is the time to invest in the Highlands!

Please use this online form to submit your feedback about this project.

* * *

Yesterday (7/28), the Metro Council Public Works Committee recommended for approval my ordinance to scrap the current junk pick-up system and enable service by appointment instead, beginning 2021. Urban Services District residents will be able to request a pick-up from their homes as frequently as weekly, up to four (4) bulky items per appointment. It will be cheaper, easier and neater than the thrice-annual ritual mass dumping we have now. The ordinance also cleans up the provisions governing solid waste collection, generally. Here is a slide deck with more background info and how we plan to pull it all off. I expect the Metro Council to pass the legislation August 6.

* * *

It took over 50 years and more than $50 million but the Louisville Water Company has successfully removed all of its known public lead service lines – approximately 74,000 – from the city’s water system. There remain, however, 814 private lead service lines, according to the company’s records, including 125 residential and commercial customers in District 8. LWC is contacting each of these customers by mail, postcard and phone call to offer help removing the lead lines on their property. This includes paying up to 50% of the cost for a licensed plumber to perform the work, up to $1,500 (the average cost to replace a service line is $2,000) and customers who need further assistance may qualify for additional Louisville Water Foundation funding. Because of the private nature of the data, LWC cannot provide specific addresses but please review this spreadsheet of street names, zip codes and customer types (residential/commercial) to determine whether you may have missed any of LWC’s communications. LWC’s scientists balance the water chemistry to minimize any risk but there is no safe level of lead in drinking water, so eliminating all lead service lines is important. Learn more here and contact Vince Guenthner at: vguenthner@lwcky.com if you have any questions or concerns.

* * *

As promised in this space (article three) last month, the project website for the Hayfield-Dundee Pocket Park (which is a placeholder name) is now live. Please review it and text your input, photos and ideas to: (502) 236-5562. Our project team presented to the Upper Highlands Neighborhood Association July 15; we are meeting with adjacent property owners this Friday (7/31); and we are on track to achieve our goals. Stay tuned for updates or – better yet – get involved.

* * *

Over the Next Two Weeks

Paving

None scheduled.

Sidewalks

2108 Baringer Ave; 1615-1625 Beechwood Ave; 1642 Bonnycastle Ave; 2215-2219 and 2223 Blvd Napoleon; 2553-2557 and 2559 Carolina Ave; 2124-2136 Cherokee Pkwy (Rear); 1101 Cherokee Rd (Alley); 1827-1828 Deer Park Ave; 1958-1962 Douglass Blvd; 2204 Dundee Rd; 2130 Gardiner Ln; 1506 Goddard Ave; and 2318 Woodbourne Ave.

Additionally, concrete pads will be installed at 2501 Grinstead Dr and 2171 Winston Ave to accommodate new litter bins at those locations.

Scheduling information is subject to change. Visit the District 8 Streets Information page here.

District 8 Development Report: Parking, Lots

In this space, we report on District 8 planning and zoning activity from the past *four* weeks and, also, preview activity scheduled for the next two weeks. All information is as of today’s date. Please Subscribe & Stay Informed to receive Notification of Development Proposals via email or text and never miss the opportunity to participate in the development process.

Too often, mandatory parking minimums thwart good urban infill and redevelopment, so in summer 2019 Councilwoman Nicole George (D-21) and I asked the Planning Commission to conduct a study considering reducing parking minimums where appropriate, including proposed amendments to the Land Development Code. Over the last several months, CW George and I have been working with planning staff to review its findings and now we are ready to advance legislation. The Planning Committee will review our proposal this Friday (7/31); the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to review it on August 20; and the Metro Council will debate and vote on an ordinance to enact it in September. If the code changes are a bit too dense for easy reading, you can compare current and proposed parking requirements for sample residential, office and commercial uses here, in simplified tables. (District 8 is mostly in traditional form districts.) As a major historic preservation policy bonus, under our proposal, structures that are at least 50 years of age are not subject to minimum parking requirements, period. Moreover, our work is supported by the new Land Development Code Diagnosis, upon which the new Metro Council Committee on Equity and Inclusion is basing a full-scale equity review of the Land Development Code. The report states parking is often the biggest barrier for housing and recommends removing all parking requirements for areas within traditional contexts and reducing minimums in suburban contexts.

* * *

Two developers submitted proposals for the Urban Government Center: Booker Design Collaborative and Underhill Associates. Review the proposals and submit your feedback on them here, on the project page. The selection process and timelines are detailed in the Solicitation of Interest as per the June 17 edition of this report. Additionally, I expect the Metro Council Labor and Economic Development Committee to consider the submittals in a special discussion to be scheduled after the developer virtual open house (to be announced) and before the Selection Committee interviews. I think two very different deals are on the table, each one meriting close scrutiny of the players, promises and past performances involved.

* * *

Over the Last *Four* Weeks

On July 6, the Board of Zoning Adjustment: 1) approved a request for a variance to allow a proposed structure to exceed maximum infill height and to reduce required private yard at 1576 Cherokee Road (20-VARIANCE-0002); and 2) approved a request for a conditional use permit to allow a short term rental of a dwelling unit that is not the primary residence of the host at 2632 Wendell Avenue. 20-CUP-0027

On July 8, the Cherokee Triangle Architectural Review Committee: 1) approved with conditions a request to construct a dormer on the side of the 3rd level of the home at 2126 Grinstead Drive (20-COA-0093); 2) approved with conditions a request for a proposed pergola addition to the front and garage and master suite addition to the rear at 2651 Cherokee Parkway (20-COA-0085); and 3) approved with conditions a request to replace five boarded up basement windows with new glass block windows at 1249 Everett Avenue. (20-COA-0010)

Over the Next Two Weeks

All meetings will be held online: https://louisvilleky.gov/gover...

On August 3 at 1:00pm, BOZA will hold a public meeting to review a request for a variance to allow reduction in the street side and rear yard requirements for a proposed garage at 2222 Boulevard Napoleon. 20-VARIANCE-0055

On August 3 at 6:00pm, a virtual neighborhood meeting will be held to discuss a proposed application for a conditional use permit to allow a short term rental that is not the primary residence of the host at 1642 Lucia Avenue. To join the meeting, go to: www.join.zoom.us, meeting ID: 882 972 6351, meeting Password: 7LLHz7 20-CUPPA-0082

Click here to view meeting agendas, download supporting documents and live-stream all planning and zoning public meetings. Visit the District 8 Development Information page here.

District 8 Crime Report: Partying Is Such Sweet Sorrow

The following Crime Report is adapted from the last two 5th Division Weekly Crime Updates (7/12/20 - 7/25/20) provided by Dets. Daniel English and Ryan Quirin. Please note the linked maps cover the entire LMPD Fifth Division, not just District 8 (Beats 2, 3 and 4).

Thanks to Major Bridget Hallahan and Detectives Dan English and Ryan Quirin, 5th Division Weekly Crime Reports are back (although we are still playing catch up on data analysis of recent weeks). The detectives temporarily take over reporting duty from Sgt. Stuart Hamilton – who is retiring – until his vacancy is filled. Lt. Alejandro Cabrera is retiring, too, and we will miss both officers terribly! Moreover, we thank them profusely and wish them all the best. At the same time, we welcome Lt. Drew Wagner, who comes to us from the Community Engagement Unit and is also a commander for the Special Response Team. Lt. Wagner will assume responsibility for Lt. Cabrera’s watch over Beat 4.

* * *

Last weekend (7/24-7/25), LMPD made significant progress stopping the large pop-up parties, loitering and loud music during late-night hours in the 1000 block of Bardstown Road, as previously reported on in this space. Thanks to increased officer presence and enforcement, there were no serious civil disturbances or reports of property damage to businesses. Officers made clear early in the detail to advise people illegal behavior would not be tolerated, handing out numerous noise ordinance warnings to motorists on Bardstown Road and tailgaters in parking lot hot spots, issuing four (4) noise citations, seven (7) parking citations, seven (7) traffic citations, clearing lots and controlling traffic as necessary. Most people cooperated. Major Hallahan is assessing the effectiveness of the efforts, making changes as needed and plans to continue the detail until the issue is resolved.

In the meantime, we are asking for more cooperation from some property and business owners. ABC enforcement does not ask nicely, issuing three (3) violations over the weekend, including for not social distancing and selling alcohol to minors. I attend ABC hearings to ensure violators are held accountable. Also, I collect public comments in protest of alcoholic beverage license renewals and submit them to the ABC Administrator myself. We are now within the comment period for three renewals/licenses set to otherwise expire August 31: Speedway (1101 Bardstown Rd); Walgreens (990 Baxter Ave); and Walgreens (2490 Bardstown Rd). Coincidentally, two of these locations are centers of gravity for the above-referenced activities. If you care to comment on one or more of these licensees’ renewal applications, please email me and copy: robert.kirchdorfer@louisvilleky.gov – I will provide police data under cover of letter for Administrator Kirchdorfer’s reference and consideration in the upcoming cases.

* * *

Robbery – There were two robberies this reporting period.

On July 12 at approximately 3:00am, a victim was assaulted, held at gun point and had cash taken at or near East Broadway and Baxter Avenue.

On July 19 at 4:45am, a victim had his wallet stolen at gun point at or near Edenside Avenue and Bardstown Road.

Burglary – There were eight burglaries this reporting period. There were five in Beat 2, two in Beat 3 and one in Beat 4. One was unlocked, two were by unknown means and five were by force. Four were business and four were residential. See maps here and here for more detail.

Auto Theft – There were two auto thefts this reporting period. Both were in Beat 2. One was by unknown means and the other was unlocked. See maps here and here for more detail.

Theft from Automobile – There were 25 thefts from automobile this reporting period. There were 15 in Beat 2, four in Beat 3 and six in Beat 4. Eighteen of the vehicles were unlocked, five were by unknown means and two were by force. Please remember to Lock, Take and Hide! See maps here and here for more detail.

The 2020 District 8 “Unlocked” Crimes Tracker will return soon.

2020 over 2019 District 8 CompStat Data (Period 2020 29)

District 8 Events Calendar: The Fortnight Ahead

This listing is primarily a District 8 business calendar. We’ll also highlight annual and special events affecting traffic and street closures, and choice events that are free and open to the public. We’ll use social media to promote many others. For event location and other information, click here to visit District 8 Events online.

AUGUST 3 1:00pm BOZA Public Meeting 20-VARIANCE-0055 2222 Blvd Napoleon

6:00pm Neighborhood Meeting 20-CUPPA-0082 1642 Lucia Ave

AUGUST 6 6:00pm Metro Council Meeting

8 Shout-Outs: The Grateful 8th

This is a flexible space for giving thanks, saying hi to friends and having a little fun.

1. Shout-out and welcome to Louisville Fire Department Engine Company 15, based at 1328-1330 South Preston Street, which is temporarily relocating to our station at 1025 Rubel Avenue while theirs undergoes repairs and minor renovation! Enjoy your eight-week stay in District 8; we hope it is uneventful!
2. Shout-out to District 8 intern #1 (and now associate attorney at Dinsmore!) Aaron Vance for coming out of retirement to help us register seniors for the homestead exemption! Unfortunately, we were not selected for an AARP Community Challenge Grant to support our work but I will take Aaron Vance alone over $7,000, a team of six field canvassers and campaign materials, any day!
3. Shout-out to El Mundo “Segundo,” which is now open at 1767 Bardstown Road!
4. Shout-out to the Louisville Parks Foundation and funding partners for distributing a record 12,300 food packs to children across the city this summer at Metro Parks Community Centers! Community centers are currently closed to the public due to the Coronavirus pandemic but they are staffed, so contact Douglass CC, if you need help!
5. Shout-out to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 30th Anniversary (7/26)! This is an excellent opportunity to remind commercial property owners about the District 8 Accessibility Loan Program: METCO loans limited to $15,000 for exterior or interior accessibility improvements are raised to $20,000 under our program. Borrow up to 100% of the total approved project at a fixed interest rate of 3%!
6. Shout-out to Assistant Director of Public Works Jeff Brown for greenlighting the Bardstown Road LED conversion! Jeff probably saved us a month or two, statistically preventing dozens of crashes through his actions!
7. Shout-out to Waterfront Park, Actors Theater, Councilman-Elect Jecorey 1200 Arthur and all of the actors and musicians for their continuing Juneteenth Jubilee Video Series! It is a production of powerful and beautiful performances!
8. Finally, shout-out to Assistant County Attorney Natalie Johnson for working extra hard on multiple important public health items for me over the last several weeks! Stick with me another month!

In Two Weeks: The Everything After Edition

Thanks for reading, and tune back in two weeks!

This press release was produced by the City of Louisville. The views expressed here are the author’s own.