Everything After Edition Of District 8 Enews Is Live In Louisville

Press release from the City of Louisville:

August 12, 2020

Welcome: Force the Issue

Two weeks ago – and two subpoenas ago – in this space, I previewed the Metro Council Government Oversight Committee’s investigation into the response to the protests over the killing of Breonna Taylor. After the false start by administration officials, we planned to begin again from the beginning on Monday (8/17) at 2:30pm. Now that hearing, too, has been delayed. In the end the truth will come out; in the meantime, I asked questions about the case and other topics to Courier-Journal reporter Darcy Costello on Eight More Miles: the District 8 Podcast.

Also this week, Councilwoman Jessica Green (D-1) and I filed new legislation adding to and codifying limitations on police use of force policies, inspired by Campaign Zero’s 8 Can’t Wait project. The ordinance aims to cure deficiencies relating to chokeholds and strangleholds, duty to intervene, shooting at moving vehicles and comprehensive reporting. We believe that “9 Can’t Wait,” so it generally bans the use of chemical agents, including tear gas, too. (Frankly, I think the mixture of the use of tear gas and the spread of COVID-19 absent extreme, exigent circumstances is unconscionable.)

To be fair, LMPD’s use of force standard operating procedures are more restrictive than the #8cantwait police accountability scorecard indicates and the department has recently enacted new tear gas and intervention policies in response to the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and police violence against nonviolent protesters here. The ordinance goes one further, though, and continues the Metro Council’s steady (if seemingly slow) progress at policing reform. It will be assigned to the Public Safety Committee at next Thursday’s (8/20) Metro Council meeting.

This afternoon (8/12), the Metro Council Community Affairs, Heath & Education Committee recommended for approval “the Buffer Zone Ordinance,” an ordinance to ensure safe, unobstructed entry to and exit from a healthcare facility. It is another example of the urgency of the current health pandemic and the seriousness and solemnity of local elected officials’ response to it. Because the legislation protects all legal healthcare facilities, including abortion clinics, it also involves a wedge issue that makes voting difficult politically and/or personally for a number of my colleagues. Notwithstanding, council members have put the rule of law above politics, others before self, health and safety first and debated the issue (in public and in private) in good faith – both yes and no voters. I respect others whose beliefs differ from mine but I believe access to legal healthcare should be safe and dignified. The Buffer Zone Ordinance makes space for our differences at a time when it is needed most. The whole council will vote on the ordinance at our next meeting and I expect it to be passed into law.

For the latest news, resources and government response to the coronavirus pandemic, 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: Highway, to Hell

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

Two weeks ago, I participated in the first of two local officials/stakeholder meetings regarding a new I-64 corridor planning study from Story Avenue to I-264. An interactive presentation and survey have been developed and are available online, seeking input on the study. The survey will be open for comments through September 2. To summarize my own personal comments:

SAVE CHEROKEE PARK! SAY NO TO WIDENING!! 1-2-3-4, WE DON’T WANT MO’ 64!!!

I can’t verify the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is hellbent on widening the highway but I get the distinct impression they are not *not* predisposed to same. See, for example, the meeting minutes and, also: the current $180 million widening of I-71, the Ohio River Bridges Project and every other highway project ever.

I hope I’m wrong and all KYTC really wants is to upgrade TRIMARC and put in a couple of carpool lanes – and it would be great if they invested in neighborhood connectivity by and through the Grinstead Drive interchange like Councilman Bill Hollander (D-9) and I both asked about – but I got my hackles up.

In addition to the survey, another public outreach effort is scheduled for October, so please watch this space for more information and make your voice heard. The final report is due in December or January. We are a long way away from any type of construction but it is never too early to get organized.

Speaking of road studies, two weeks ago we asked for feedback about the beginnings of the Bardstown Road Safety Study pilot implementation so far and here are the comments received through yesterday (8/11), minus personal identifying information. What a difference resident (40204 and 40205) versus commuter makes, which is exactly my point.

There is some general confusion about the role of current data collection, though, so let me be clear: the project team’s final design decisions will be based on reams of historical data and traffic simulation models supplemented by this trial period observations, not the other way around. COVID-19 is not driving this train.

There are no further road changes to report at this time but I am hoping for next steps next month.

Last week (8/3), I received notice that Verizon has filed an application with the Department of Public Works to install two wireless small cell nodes in District 8 right-of-way, at or near 1829 Alfresco Place and 2240 Napoleon Boulevard. If your property is within 150’ of a proposed location then you will receive a letter including a photo simulation and an email address to submit any questions, comments or objections: VZW.KY.SC@verizonwireless.com – learn more about 5G here.

At the good suggestion of the Original Highlands Neighborhood Association, the Baxter-Bardstown Anti-Litter Leadership (BBALL) program, which runs from Broadway to Harvard Drive, has been adjusted to move the handpicking of litter from Wednesdays to Mondays through September 2 to better mitigate weekend impacts. Street sweeping will continue to be conducted on Wednesdays.

In 2018, Norris Place/Douglass Boulevard became the first District 8 Slow Zone, which involved reducing the speed limit from 35 to 30 MPH, installing four radar speed signs and later a fifth driver feedback sign along Speed Avenue to the west. Now, thanks to the generosity of Lakeside Swim Club, Trevilian Way is set to become the second D8 Slow Zone. The street was restriped to slow traffic earlier this year and four new radar signs will be installed later this month. Lakeside paid for two of the signs and Capital Infrastructure Funding paid for the other two and the markings. When the pool finally, triumphantly returns (next summer, fingers crossed), it will be safer to come and go.

Over the Next Two Weeks

Paving

The installation of curb ramps will begin for several weeks, followed by the resurfacing of all remaining FY21 streets by October.

Sidewalks

2215 Blvd Napoleon; 2554 Carolina Ave; 1101 Cherokee Rd (Alley); 1827 Deer Park Ave; 1962 Douglass Blvd; 2130 Gardiner Ln; and 2318 Woodbourne Ave.

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

District 8 Development Report: You Down With RP3

In this space, we report on District 8 planning and zoning activity from the past two 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.

As the effort to reduce mandatory parking minimums moves forward next Thursday (8/20) at the Planning Commission, Councilwoman Nicole George (D-21) and I are working together on complementary legislation to better preserve and manage parking on local streets. Specifically, we seek to increase access to the city’s Residential Parking Permit Program by reducing the number of contiguous block faces in an area required to petition for the program from 10 to two and lowering the threshold for implementation from 90% occupancy of the curb spaces during peak periods to 75%, among other changes. That means, say, the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Morton Avenue or the 1900 block of Roanoke Avenue will be able to apply to generally limit on-street parking to residents only, at certain times. The RP3 legislation is still in draft but we intend to file both parking ordinances in tandem by the end of August for debate and voting in September and availability shortly thereafter.

Similar to the above, my twin vape shop/smoking retailers ordinances are on the same schedule. The Planning Commission will, I hope, recommend for approval restrictions on the density of vape shops at its next meeting and I will be filing a licensure ordinance to go along with it. (I’ll publish both the RP3 and licensure drafts here, next time.) The days of someone parking in front of your house to go to a new vape shop on Bardstown Road are almost over.

The developer virtual open houses for the Urban Government Center have been announced. Underhill Associates will present their proposal on August 20 at 10:00am and Booker Design Collaborative will present their proposal on August 21 at 10:00am. View the virtual meeting information here. On August 22 from 10:00am to 1:00pm, there will be an in-person, outdoors, socially distanced, masquerade open house at the site (810 Barret Avenue), as well. In the event of a rainout, it will be on August 24 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

Over the Last Two Weeks

On August 3, the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA) approved 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

Over the Next Two Weeks

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

On August 17 at 1:00pm, BOZA will hold a public meeting to review a request for a conditional use permit to allow a short term rental that is not the primary residence of the host at 1721 Eastern Parkway. 20-CUP-0061

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: Caught on the Spot

The following Crime Report is adapted from the last two 5th Division Weekly Crime Updates (7/26/20 - 8/8/20) 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).

Robbery – There were two robberies this reporting period, the same as the last reporting period.

On July 29 at approximately 5:15pm, a victim’s vehicle was stolen at gun point in the 2000 block of Eastern Parkway. Arrests were made later that evening.

On August 1 at approximately 4:40am, a victim approached an armed suspect breaking into his vehicle in the 1700 block of Bardstown Road. The suspect was arrested at the scene.

Burglary – There were five burglaries this reporting period, a decrease from the last reporting period (8) There were four in Beat 2 and one in Beat 3. Two were by unknown means and three were by force. Three were business and two were residential. See maps here and here for more detail.

Auto Theft – There were four auto thefts this reporting period, an increase from the last reporting period (2). Three were in Beat 2 and one was in Beat 3. One was by unknown means and three were unlocked. See maps here and here for more detail.

Theft from Automobile – There were nine thefts from automobile this reporting period, a significant decrease from the last reporting period (25). There were four in Beat 2, three in Beat 3 and two in Beat 4. Two of the vehicles were unlocked, three were by unknown means and four 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 31)

If you have any questions or want to discuss anything in these crime reports, please email LMPD 5th Division District Resource Officers at: 5thdivlmpd@louisvilleky.gov. Visit the District 8 Crime Information page here.

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 13 7:00pm Deer Park Neighborhood Association Meeting

AUGUST 17 1:00pm BOZA Public Meeting 20-CUP-0061 1721 Eastern Pkwy

6:00pm German Paristown Neighborhood Association Meeting

6:00pm Original Highlands Neighborhood Association Meeting

7:00pm Cherokee Triangle Association Meeting

AUGUST 20 6:00pm Metro Council Meeting

AUGUST 26 8:30am Highland Commerce Guild Virtual 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 to Fourth Division Sgt. Pam Oberhausen for allowing Councilwoman George and me to ride along last week and witness firsthand LMPD’s Crisis Intervention Team in action! The word compassion gets thrown around a lot these days but that (and professionalism) is exactly what I saw on display from Sgt. Oberhausen and her team. As we continue to evaluate the police department with an eye toward the future and change, we should elevate Sgt. Oberhausen’s voice!
2. Shout-out to Gwen Mooney and Cave Hill Cemetery and, also, Metro Parks for continuing to be good Friends of Eastern Cemetery! Over the last two weeks, when trees fell at Eastern, Cave Hill cut and chipped the wood and Metro Parks hauled it away for use at 5th Element Farms aka Apocalyptic Acres, a Friend of Greenwood Cemetery. This is community at its best!
3. Shout-out to Assistant County Attorney Alice Lyon for the tremendous amount of research and work she put into our 9 Can’t Wait Ordinance! LMPD’s Standard Operating Procedures manual is 830 pages and Alice helped us to comb through it for accuracy and completeness in our legislation!
4. Shout-out to the Responsible Bar & Restaurant Coalition of Louisville for assuming a thought leadership position on how to be smart about staying healthy and safe from COVID-19 and maintaining our livelihoods and culture! State and local public health and executive officials: lend these small business owners your ears!
5. Shout-out to visual artists! The application deadline for Art in City Hall is August 27. There is no entry fee and each artist selected to exhibit their work will receive a $500 honorarium. The exhibition will run from October to September 2021. It is a great showcase!
6. Shout-out to the Louisville Free Public Library for expanding curbside pick-up hours to include evenings and Saturdays at all 17 locations, including Mon-Thu 10:00am-7:00pm and Fri-Sat 10:00am-4:00pm at Highlands-Shelby Park (1250 Bardstown Rd)!
7. Shout-out to Kertis Creative and our multi-talented podcast producer Sawyer Roque for always making us sound good and delivering new episodes just in time for eNews!
8. Finally, shout-out to Jasmine Weatherby for taking some well-deserved out of office time to relax! Enjoy the rest of your break!

In Two Weeks: The Waiting 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.