Louisville Strange Days Edition Of District 8 ENews Is Live

Press release from the City of Louisville:

April 8, 2020

District 8 Website

• Welcome: These Are the Days of Our Lives
• District 8 Streets Report: I Love the Smell of Asphalt in the Morning
• District 8 Development Report: Here Goes Nothing
• District 8 Crime Report: Is It Rolling, Bob?
• District 8 Events Calendar: The Fortnight Ahead
• 8 Shout-Outs: The Grateful 8th
• In Two Weeks: The Drastic Edition

Welcome: These Are the Days of Our Lives

For the latest news and comprehensive information relating to the local, state and federal government responses to the coronavirus crisis, please visit these linked websites.

Two weeks ago, in this space, I described my adjusted daily workload during the partial government shutdown with no public meetings or events – answering constituent communications, armchair traffic engineering, conferring with the mayor and incident management team, etc.

This reporting period was a variation on the theme. In addition to the foregoing, I worked with State Senator Morgan McGarvey, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Louisville Metro Public Works on road projects and budgets. I worked with the administration, including parks officials and the police department, to close the Scenic Loop in Cherokee Park to vehicle traffic to improve social distancing and safe and healthy recreation. And I worked with a chain restaurant franchisee to feed the hungry at local Boys & Girls Clubs and the Franciscan Kitchen shelter house.

But the most important work I did since my last column was in my personal and family capacity. We stayed home. We completed our 2020 Census questionnaire online. We ordered take-out from a half dozen local independent restaurants. We participated in a poem exchange. We made a rainbow and hung it in our window for folks to find on a rainbow hunt. We delivered a meal to a colleague who is on the road to recovery from the coronavirus. We lit our home green to show solidarity during the outbreak. I am sacrificing razors and shaving products to contribute to the war effort;)

We’re all homebound and down these days but what you do matters. There are countless other ways to support your block, your building, small businesses, essential workers, arts and social services organizations, local journalism and the whole community. One easy way is giving to the One Louisville: COVID-19 Response Fund. Another is to smile – or wave, if you are wearing a facemask. Finally, it is important to take good care of yourself. If you need help today, tomorrow or someday – food, housing or just a mental health break and someone to talk to – then please call me: (502) 851-5652. I am not going anywhere.

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

District 8 Streets Report: I Love the Smell of Asphalt in the Morning

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

Many people are staying home, which is good. However, that means many cars are staying parked on the streets – including during paving – which is bad. It is crucial to comply with temporary parking restrictions or else your street will not be paved until the fall and your neighbors will be mad at you, which is sad. Please create a new calendar event, set a reminder or do whatever you need to do to keep these streets free and clear of vehicles. Signage is posted a minimum of 24 hours in advance on blocks that are affected. Thank you.

Monday, April 13: Basset Ave and Longest Ave (milling)

Tuesday, April 14: Cherokee Pkwy, Cherokee Rd and Edgeland Ave (milling); Basset Ave and Longest Ave (paving)

Wednesday, April 15: Baringer Ave, Bonnycastle Ter and Willow Ave (milling); Cherokee Pkwy, Cherokee Rd and Edgeland Ave (paving)

Thursday, April 16: Baringer Ave, Bonnycastle Ter and Willow Ave (paving)

Week of Monday, April 20: US 60A (from Bardstown to Alta Vista) (please see below)

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In a welcome reversal of policy, regular yard waste collection (in the Urban Service District) is now set to resume next week (4/13). In the meantime, you can request a collection by contacting Metro 311.

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Above, I mentioned working on state roads. The big news is that two major District 8 projects were included in the state budget/2020-2022 Biennial Highway Construction Plan: $2,516,950 to repair and rehabilitate the bridge and drainage structures across Tyler Park; and $150,000 to reconstruct the intersection of Bardstown Road (US 31E) and Baxter Avenue (KY 1703) for pedestrian safety – both projects funded for FY 2021. The “Bardstown Road & Baxter Avenue Crosswalk” is a key improvement arising out of the Bardstown Road Safety Plan. Assistant Director of Public Works Jeff Brown and I teed this one up and Senator McGarvey knocked it out of the park! The Tyler Park bridge is managed locally by Metro Senior Landscape Architect John Swintosky and funding was secured by Senator McGarvey, State Representatives Lisa Willner and Mary Lou Marzian and Tyler Park bridge champion/citizen lobbyist Doug Thrasher. I am glad to have lent my support to the effort, as well, but this is truly The Bridge That Doug Built!

More immediately, over the next two weeks, the state is paving route US 60A (Alternate) through District 8 (Eastern Pkwy-Willow Ave-Cherokee Pkwy-Grinstead Dr-Lexington Rd) from Bardstown Road to Alta Vista Road. The beauty of a project like this is not only the smooth black surface but, also – if you know how to ask – the straight white lines. That is, new sidewalk and other bike/ped facility construction is expensive but permanent striping paint and thermoplastic are relatively cheap and effective traffic calming measures. We are negotiating multiple concepts for pavement marking within the resurfacing project limits, including: installing new edge lines on Willow Ave (from Baringer to Cherokee) to help slow traffic by visually narrowing the lanes and creating a small buffer on the west side for pedestrians; modifying the striping at the intersection at Willow and Alexander Rd to clarify where drivers are to stop and who has the right of way; taking two feet of the parking lane on Cherokee Pkwy (from Willow to Grinstead) and adding a two-foot shoulder to the northbound lane; and the Lexington Road Safety Improvements. We are also discussing converting the intersection of Eastern and Willow to an all-way stop; however, KYTC will need to perform a traffic study under “normal” conditions to verify the data supports the change. At this point, we are anticipating the study will be conducted in the fall.

Finally, the state appears set to pave Baxter Avenue next fiscal year. In anticipation of this possibility, I have been lobbying for edge lines/parking lanes (a minimum of seven feet wide at all times) and other bike/ped improvements to slow down speeding between Castlewood and Winter Aves and make crossing the street safer for years. Now, KYTC has given us the go-ahead to install the striping additions temporarily (paint) until the project – including concrete curb extensions (bump-outs) at Lucia and Goddard Aves to shorten those crosswalks and increase visibility – is completed. Funding is in place to implement the new layout as soon as possible.

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This report is getting out of control, so for more Streets tidbits, please continue reading down thru Crime and the Shout-Outs!

Scheduling information is subject to change. Please let us know if you observe any discrepancies in projects reported as completed. Visit the District 8 Streets Information page here.

District 8 Development Report: Here Goes Nothing

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.

On the recommendation of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness regarding congregate events and social distancing, regularly scheduled planning and zoning meetings are being held online. You can join using a computer, laptop or mobile device with the link located on the administrative body agenda at: https://louisville.legistar.com Planning & Design Services staff is making every effort to contact members of the community and applicants to inform them of this decision. However, if you know of persons planning “to attend” to address a particular agenda item, please help to spread the word. If you have questions, please contact the case manager. Or you may call Develop Louisville at: (502) 574-6230.

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Over the Last Two Weeks

On April 6th, the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA) continued to April 20th a request for a variance to allow a principle structure to encroach into the side yard setback at 1623 Rosewood Avenue. 20-VARIANCE-0020

Over the Next Two Weeks

On April 20th at 1:00pm, BOZA will hold a public meeting to review requests for: 1) a variance to allow a principle structure to encroach into the side yard setback at 1623 Rosewood Avenue (20-VARIANCE-0020); and 2) a variance to allow an addition and an accessory structure to encroach into the infill front yard setback and waivers to allow an accessory structure to not be set back 20 ft. from the front of the principal structure and to allow parking in the public realm at 2530 Ransdell Avenue. 20-VARIANCE-0015

Meeting Link: https://louisvilleky.webex.com/louisvilleky/j.php?MTID=m42ed2b67baab07f2ad6f689721511153

Meeting number (access code if needed): 479 296 070

Meeting password (if needed): BOZA04202020

Join by phone Call in from a mobile device (attendees only) +1-415-655-0001 US Toll

If you wish to submit comments for any of the agenda items please submit them in writing to the listed case manager by 5:00pm Friday, April 17th.

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: Is It Rolling, Bob?

The following Crime Report is adapted from the last two 5th Division Weekly Crime Updates provided by Sgt. Stuart Hamilton and a Traffic Enforcement Report provided by Ofc. Robert Ward (3/22/20 - 4/4/20). Please note the linked maps cover the entire LMPD Fifth Division, not just District 8 (Beats 2, 3 and 4).

Defending our public spaces is a District 8 strategic objective. Now more than ever that includes keeping our parks safe. Last fall, we invested in a top-flight security camera system at Big Rock Park that records 24 hours of the day and triggers an alarm in a monitoring office if it detects an individual in the park when it is closed between 11pm and 6am. At that point a real person gets on the intercom to let the individual know s/he needs to leave the area immediately or the police will be called. This is an “incident.” We recently received the summary report of incidents for Q1 (listing the date, time and type of intervention for each incident) and the results inspire confidence in the technology. There were 36 incidents in January (1/9 - 1/31), 26 in February and 36 in March. LMPD dispatch was called 18.4% (18/98) of the time. Usually, the individual(s) vacates before a patrol car arrives. We plan to install cameras at Tyler and Willow Parks by the end of 2020.

Additionally, as part of the coronavirus response, Fifth Division Commander Bridget Hallahan and (Beats 2 and 3) Lieutenant Rob King have created a Parks Security Detail. Three officers and a supervisor have been assigned the sole objective to patrol the parks and ensure people are staying out of closed areas such as playgrounds, sports fields and courts, as well as abiding by social distancing guidelines. If police see large groups congregating in open areas, they urge them to disperse and talk to them about COVID-19 and the risks involved. It is an educate first, then enforce approach. We want everyone to get outside and enjoy our parks, so long as they are being safe.

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Burglary – There were six burglaries this reporting period, the same as the last reporting period (6). There were three in Beat 2 and three in Beat 3. Three were by unknown means and three were by force. Two were businesses and the remaining four were residential. See maps here and here for more detail.

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

Theft from Automobile – There were 19 thefts from automobile this reporting period, a decrease from the last reporting period (23). There were seven in Beat 2, two in Beat 3 and 10 in Beat 4. Seven of the vehicles were unlocked, nine were by unknown means and three were by force. Please remember to Lock, Take and Hide! See maps here and here for more detail.

2020 District 8 “Unlocked” Crimes Tracker

Q2: 3/4 =75%

Q1: 50/157 = 33.8% 53/161 = 32.9%

2019: 182/492 = 37%

2018: 206/581 = 35.5%

2020 over 2019 District 8 CompStat Data (Period 2020 13)

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Traffic – As discussed in this space two weeks ago and reported elsewhere, LMPD has shifted focus away from traffic enforcement amid the coronavirus response. Mayor Fischer and I are both concerned with the speeding problem this has created on Bardstown Road, specifically, due to light traffic and, so, we are exploring immediate, short-term solutions to mitigate it. This could include suspending the peak hour reversible lane lights operation, flashing signal lights red, both at the same time and/or other solutions. The administration and I are working to obtain KYTC’s advice and consent and hope to implement improvements soon.

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.

The Louisville Metro Council will meet at our regularly scheduled time tomorrow (4/9) at 6:00pm. The meeting will be held as a video teleconference pursuant to KRS 61.826 and Senate Bill 150. Members will participate virtually from our homes, or in person from the Metro Council Chambers on the third floor of Historic City Hall, 601 West Jefferson Street. As per the Health & Wellness Department’s declaration to slow the spread of COVID-19, public access to City Hall has been limited. As a result of, and in accordance with, this directive, the meeting will be open to the public through remote access only. You may watch the proceedings live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 or on UVERSE at Channel 99. Proceedings may also be streamed live from the Metro Council Clerk’s Archived Media page at http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2

APRIL 8 6:00pm Metro Council Meeting

APRIL 20 1:00pm BOZA Meeting 20-VARIANCE-0020 1623 Rosewood Ave and 20- VARIANCE-0015 2530 Ransdell Ave

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 my friend Ramsi Kamar, his Café on the World and staff, Douglass Boulevard Christian Church and other local restaurants for collaborating to prepare upwards of 500 meals per day for homeless Louisvillians! Please contact Ramsi’s at: (502) 451-0700 to support their effort!
2. Shout-out to Kentucky Performing Arts, in partnership with Brown-Forman, for creating #KPAatHome, a free, daily virtual concert series for patrons to enjoy the excitement of live performances from the comfort and safety of their homes! The one and only (District 8 resident) Brigid Kaelin performs tonight (4/8) at 8:00pm!
3. Shout-out to KYTC District 5 and specifically Jason Moore for considering multiple iterations of these state road projects with me to make these important improvements a reality!
4. Shout-out to Senator McGarvey – again – for not only bringing home the bacon but, also, for filing what are likely his final two 2020 reports from Frankfort for the weeks ending March 27th and April 3rd!
5. Shout-out to Louisville Metro Animal Services Director Ozzy Gibson for bringing the animal abuse registry to life!
6. Shout-out to Lakeside Swim Club and General Manager Mary Graves for donating the cost to install two new driver feedback signs to stop speeding on Trevilian Way!
7. Shout-out and welcome to the world to Walter Weyler McKnight (4/3/2020)! I shared this with your dad but I know he loses things, so this one is for you!
8. Finally, shout-out to Mayor Greg Fischer for exhibiting outstanding leadership during this crisis response! As Greg himself would say in typically understated manner, “Great job!”

In Two Weeks: The Drastic Edition

Thanks for reading, and tune back in two weeks!

Councilman Brandon Coan | Louisville Metro Council | District 8

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601 West Jefferson Street, Third Floor

Louisville, Kentucky 40202

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