The Scary Edition Of District 8 Enews Is Live In Louisville

Press release from the City of Louisville:

October 21, 2020

Councilman

Brandon Coan

Email Brandon

• Welcome: Zenyatta Mondatta
• District 8 Streets Report: Potential Has a Shelf Life
• District 8 Development Report: The Day Is Coming
• District 8 Crime Report: Consolidation in the Industry
• District 8 Events Calendar: The *Lunar Synodic Month* Ahead
• 8 Shout-Outs: The Grateful 8th
• In *Four* Weeks: The Swing and a Miss Edition

Jasmine WeatherbyLegislative Aide

Email Jasmine

Tel: 574-1108

District 8 Website

Welcome: Zenyatta Mondatta

The Metro Council continues to focus on police reform. Last week, council committees debated my excessive force ordinance (co-authored by District 1 Councilwoman Jessica Green) and, also, the new police union contract. The results were a mixed bag.

The Public Safety Committee recommended for disapproval (3:4) An Ordinance Requiring the Incorporation of Certain Limitations on Police Use of Force Into Louisville Metro Police Department Policies, with the majority arguing that – as I understand it – the legislation infringes on the police chief’s policy autonomy. Respectfully, I think banning chokeholds and shooting at moving vehicles, requiring de-escalation, a use of force continuum, exhausting all alternatives and warning before shooting, a duty to intervene and comprehensive reporting are exactly fit for codification as a means of putting broad guardrails around public safety within which the chief retains the flexibility necessary to execute the law. Not only do regional (Akron), peer (St. Louis) and cities from Washington (D.C.) to Washington (Seattle) agree but logic would dictate that Mayor Greg Fischer, who sent an Open Letter to Jefferson County Legislative Delegation, House and Senate Leadership dated September 10, 2020, asking the Kentucky General Assembly to enact at least five of the policies into state law, should, too. Moreover, current LMPD Standard Operating Procedures substantially comport with the ordinance (maybe 80-85%), so it is a mystery to me why the administration would not endorse it before the whole council votes tomorrow (10/22) evening. It seems to me like a layup for a city and police department that desperately needs a bucket. Notwithstanding, it will be a close final tally.

Meanwhile, to my surprise and relief, the Labor and Economic Development Committee tabled (i.e. postponed voting on) the new police union contract after 100 minutes of (generally unsatisfactory) Q&A. I delivered these remarks:

Police officers and other first responders deserve to be adequately compensated and rewarded for the risks they take every day to serve our community. I think the salary change and benefits in this contract would help the city to retain and attract better employees. Specifically, I want to commend the police union for again bargaining for paid parental leave for its members. I believe they are the only Metro Government employees to receive this benefit, and it is a policy we should improve upon and extend to every new parent who works at Metro.

However, condition of employment number one for all city workers – especially, police officers – must be total and complete accountability for their actions. Full accountability is not just missing from this contract; the document expressly exempts the police from personal responsibility in at least a half-dozen, different, dangerous ways.

I understand that state law – KRS 67C.326 and other sections – needs to be changed to toughen investigations into alleged misconduct; to fully empower the new civilian review board; to unmuzzle the truth about ongoing matters; and more. But giving officers their body cam footage to prepare for an interrogation involving their own alleged misconduct; suspending officers substantiated of outrageous criminal conduct with pay; limiting the consideration of past discipline in a progressive discipline system; destroying personnel files; and other practices contemplated by this agreement are within our local authority to end, and so we must.

These are reasonable, prudent departmental controls to require now, not nine months from now – if ever. Remember: the expiring contract has been extended for two and a half years. The new contract requires 150 days’ notice to alter the 250-day deal. That means we could be stuck with this agreement for eight years, too. Not to mention the terms and conditions that are not included in it. Whatever happened to diversity, recruiting and training?

In addition to these concerns, there are legal questions about the convoluted and conflated standards and procedures surrounding disciplinary matters, employment decisions and citizen complaints. The council needs clarity and understanding on these issues before voting in good conscience on any new police union contract.

I am not a member of this committee but I will be a no vote if the agreement is sent to the whole council. I urge the committee to send the negotiators back to the drawing board instead.

The debate continues on November 2 at 3:00pm, at a two-hour Special Meeting of the Labor and Economic Development Committee. Again, the vote is too close to call.

* * *

Speaking of voting, non-mail-in voters (regardless of their precinct) may now vote early at any of the Louisville Marriott East, Kentucky Exposition Center, KFC Yum Center and Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage on Monday-Saturday 8:30am-4:30pm until November 2. On Election Day (11/3), these four locations and 16 others will also be available as vote centers (again, regardless of precinct). Wear a mask and on Election Day ride the bus for free. It will be a long day/week/month/winter, so the least you can do is avoid any long waits or lines to make your vote count.

* * *

In anticipation of what is likely to be a busy and anxiety-ridden morning after Election Day, District 8 eNews will skip November 4 and return November 18 (or abscond to Canada). Au revoir!

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: Potential Has a Shelf Life

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

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) District 5 Office in Louisville will be moving forward with the implementation of the roadway reconfiguration of Bardstown Road, beginning between Eastern Parkway and the intersection of Baxter Avenue and Highland Avenue. KYTC has scheduled the pavement marking modifications and necessary traffic control signage changes for November 4-5, 8:00am-4:00pm (weather permitting). No parking will be allowed on either side of the street along this section of the corridor during these time frames. Watch my social media for the plan set soon.

The plan is to make Bardstown Road one lane in each direction, with 24/7 on-street parking and TARC stops on both sides off the street – except at signalized intersections, where the roadway will become three lanes with a dedicated left turn lane. The initial stages of implementation will focus on pavement markings changes only and will not initially require modifications to any of the traffic signals on the corridor. The lane control spans along the section will not be removed at this time but the lane control signals and the lane assignment signs on traffic control spans will be deactivated.

The data collected in the 2018 Bardstown Road Safety Study showed the new configuration will have significant benefits to improve pedestrian safety, reduce collisions (especially rear-ends), provide much needed permanent parking to support local businesses and create a more community-friendly corridor. Once the changes are in place, KYTC and Louisville Metro will monitor traffic operations and crash statistics.

The lane control system is reaching the end of its service life. With the cost of replacement estimated at $1.5 million, now is the time for this alternative vision of Bardstown Road to become a reality. I am naturally prone to hyperbole but it might just be the most important Highlands project of the century.

* * *

The Hayfield-Dundee Pocket Park Final Concept Plans are complete. We got great feedback on the survey from more than 20 respondents, including a dozen potential volunteers and donors, which informed and resulted in – in my opinion – the perfect plan for the site. The two-phase approach – Phase 1: Trees and Rain Gardens and Phase Two: Pocket Park – allows for organizational development and changing conditions (and, also, Phase 3 if and when additional lots are accepted by the FEMA buyout program). The plan includes the features neighbors want and excludes the ones they don’t. The budget is manageable; the process is straightforward; and the partners are readily identifiable and motivated. MSD, for example, who now owns the subject properties, is interested in starting the tree planting in spring. Gresham Smith (our design partner), MSD, Council Member-Elect Cassie Chambers Armstrong and I are meeting soon and then we will reconvene property owners and neighbors to form an action plan.

* * *

On the subject of the Upper Highlands, the cuts in the new (2019) Gardiner Lane pavement were not anticipated at the start of LG&E gas construction and the road will be repaved properly and to the full extent of impact using fiber reinforced asphalt pursuant to an MOU with Louisville Metro Public Works. LG&E will be completing all of the construction on Gardiner Lane within a month. Based on the weather calendar, that means the final restoration will likely be scheduled in spring; in the meantime, LG&E will complete temporary trench maintenance. Sorry for the inconvenience – the lack of utility coordination drives me bonkers, too. It is another area of Metro Government that needs investment.

* * *

In follow up to last month’s “stump poles” update (Streets Report Article 3), we met with AT&T October 7 in the field. As utility pole owners expand services, they must also coordinate the removal of these structures that no longer support utility lines or are in the process of having lines transferred to new poles. Often, this requires coordination with up to 10 other companies with infrastructure located on the same pole before the pole can be removed. This process typically can take as long as 6-9 months, but can be delayed if, for example, any of the companies fail to update the database once their facilities have been moved, or the movements occur out of sequence.

AT&T is using District 8 as an opportunity to verify the information on pole transfers and stump pole removals by physically visiting every pole in the district. Now, that’s music to my ears. As of October 9, AT&T had inspected 2,604 poles in the district and plans to inspect all poles by October 30. So far, this inspection has identified 160 poles ready for transfers or removal. Of these, 21 poles are ready to be removed, 21 require an AT&T transfer and 21 need to be topped and removed. There are 97 poles where AT&T is waiting for another company to complete its work before AT&T can complete its work and remove the pole.

Stump poles hinder equitable access to the built environment and harm the beauty of public spaces, so it is important to remove them. We will continue to challenge other pole owners and hold them to the standard set by the phone company. We owe our old friend the electric company a call next.

* * *

Over the Next *Four* Weeks

Paving

Brookside Dr (Concrete Road); Hawthorne Ave (Bon Air-Bardstown); Ingleside Dr (Brookside-Dead End Concrete Road); Lowell Ave (Tyler-Hawthorne); and Ruth Ave (Strand-Radnor).

Speed Ave (Fernwood-Bardstown) will be completed in 2021.

FY 2021 Paving Plan

Sidewalks

Sidewalk repair is likely done for the year. The FY 2021 Sidewalks Plan will be completed in spring.

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

District 8 Development Report: The Day Is Coming

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.

The Cherokee Triangle & Bonnycastle Neighborhoods Plan is slowly starting to emerge. From a vision statement (slide 16) to a series of (draft) open space (slides 19-20) and mobility (slides 22-23) recommendations, to reimagining the intersection of Grinstead Drive and Bardstown Road (as a prototype, to emphasize best practices), participants at last week’s (10/15 and 10/17) virtual workshop and others are shaping the plan elements of land use and community form, open space and environment, mobility and preservation for the future of these historic neighborhoods. View the slide deck that was presented here; and for the Historic Preservation Keynote that can inform our actions moving forward and other planning inputs, visit the project website here. Next steps include an online survey to get additional feedback from those who were unable to attend the virtual workshop. Watch this space, social media and your neighborhood/association communications for distribution.

* * *

Over the Last Two Weeks

On October 7, the Architectural Review Committee approved a proposed construction of a retaining wall in the front of the property at 2111 Cherokee Parkway. 20-COA-0177

On October 15, the Planning Commission approved a proposed major preliminary subdivision for six (6) single-family residential lots at 2000 and 2050 Millvale Road. 20-MSUB-0007

Over the Next *Four* Weeks

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

On October 26 at 1:00pm, the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA) will hold a public meeting to review: 1) a variance for an addition to an existing structure that would allow a private yard area to be less than the required 30% of the area of a lot at 1865 Princeton Drive (20-VARIANCE-0109); 2) a conditional use permit request to allow a short term rental of a dwelling unit that is not the primary residence of the host at 1642 Lucia Avenue (20-CUP-0114); and 3) a conditional use permit request to allow a short term rental of a dwelling unit that is not the primary residence of the host at 2201 Strathmoor Boulevard. 20-CUP-0118

On November 2 at 1:00pm, BOZA will hold a public meeting to review a variance to allow a principal structure to encroach into the required side yard setback at 1131 Julia Avenue. 20-VARIANCE-0119

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: Consolidation in the Industry

The following Crime Report is adapted from Weekly CompStat Reports (10/4/20 - 10/17/20) provided by the Louisville Metro Police Department. CompStat reports represent preliminary information designed to allow commanders to direct officers in the field to respond quickly to emerging crime trends. The reports are preliminary in nature. District 8 comprises the LMPD 5th Division Patrol Beats 2, 3 and 4.

The crime report will look a little different going forward as our office works with LMPD and the Fifth Division to help them provide the information to you. Gone are the narrative maps of old and the “Unlocked” Crimes Tracker (at least for now) but in their place is great new map set that pinpoints the locations of crimes reported and adds geographical context while retaining easy readability. Our bi-weekly report corresponds to the “RP” and “Week 2” symbols, graphically.

Other than a slight uptick in usually quiet Beat 4 (“Beat 514,” as it is styled in CompStat), crime is down significantly year over year. Moreover, Officers Cold, Rain and Snow are back from leave and ready to work overtime this winter.

* * *

Burglary – There were five burglaries this reporting period. There were three in Beat 3 and two in Beat 4. All five were residential. Additionally, there was one burglary attempt in Beat 3.

Auto Theft – There were five auto thefts this reporting period. There were two in Beat 2, two in Beat 3 and one in Beat 4.

Theft from Automobile – There were 8 thefts from automobile this reporting period. There were five in Beat 2, two in Beat 3 and one in Beat 4. Please remember to Lock, Take and Hide!

See detailed maps here.

2020 over 2019 District 8 CompStat Data (Period 2020 42)

CrimeMapping.com

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 *Lunar Synodic Month* 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.

OCTOBER 26 1:00pm BOZA Public Meeting 20-CUP-0114 1642 Lucia Ave, 20-CUP-0118 2201 Strathmoor Blvd and 20-VARIANCE-0109 1865 Princeton Dr

OCTOBER 27 7:00pm City of Strathmoor Manor Meeting

OCTOBER 28 8:30am Highland Commerce Guild Virtual Meeting

OCTOBER 29 7:00pm Tyler Park Neighborhood Association Annual Meeting

NOVEMBER 2 1:00pm BOZA Public Meeting 20-VARIANCE-0119 1131 Julia Ave

6:30pm Seneca Vista Neighborhood Association Meeting

NOVEMBER 4 6:30pm Highlands-Douglass Neighborhood Association Meeting

NOVEMBER 5 7:00pm City of Kingsley Meeting

NOVEMBER 9 6:00pm Bardstown Road Improvement Group (B.I.G.) Meeting

6:30pm City of Strathmoor Village Meeting

NOVEMBER 10 7:00pm Bonnycastle Homestead Association Meeting

NOVEMBER 11 7:00pm Belknap Neighborhood Association Meeting

NOVEMBER 12 7:00pm Deer Park Neighborhood Association Meeting

NOVEMBER 16 6:00pm German Paristown Neighborhood Association Meeting

6:00pm Original Highlands Neighborhood Association Meeting

6:30pm City of Seneca Gardens Meeting

7:00pm Cherokee Triangle Association 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 Principal Dr. Tom Aberli and leaders of Atherton High School for retiring the longtime “Rebel” mascot in the name of racial equity! No matter what new symbol Atherton adopts, the school will always be synonymous with independent thinkers and talented creators!
2. Shout-out to Mary Lineberry and the organizers of the Louisville Earth Walk (5K), October 24, which is going citywide this year out of respect for everyone’s safety during the COVID-19 crisis! Register to walk – wherever! – in support of a vision where every Louisville neighborhood has safe and clean air, water and soil!
3. Shout-out to the Tyler Park Neighborhood Association for planting trees on October 24 as part of a multi-year, ongoing effort to rebuild the neighborhood’s tree canopy! (Get in 3,500 steps while you work and feed two birds with one seed!) Email VP1@TylerPark.org or contact Shawn Reilly at (502) 386-6096 to volunteer!
4. Shout-out to the Highlands-Shelby Park Library for computer use, faxing and printing by appointment now available Monday-Thursday 10:00am-5:00pm and Friday-Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm! For more information, click here and to make an appointment call: (502) 574-1672!
5. Shout-out to the Bristol Bar & Grille – the OG Highlands nightlife restaurant – for using the coronavirus downtime to renovate the flagship and reopen better than ever! As someone who is weary of gaining the “COVID 19,” my heart says Theresa’s Sweet Chili Linguine but my head says – “Shut up, head!”
6. Shout-out to Kentucky Shakespeare for pivoting to present Hamlet in virtual format, available now through the end of the year! The performance and accompanying curriculum guide have been delivered to the schools in District 8, so families and residents enjoy!
7. Shout-out to the new Seneca Vista Board Officers Kim Kennell-President, David Munden-Vice President, Anna Flannery-Treasurer and Patty Payette-Secretary for leading The Little Neighborhood Association That Could into the new year ahead!
8. Finally, shout-out to 502 Chili Week for 20 area restaurants including the Bambi Bar, Dundee Tavern, Great Flood Brewing, La Chasse and The Silly Axe Café offering $3 cups of chili through Sunday, October 25! Nectar of the Gods!

In *Four* Weeks: The Swing and a Miss Edition

Thanks for reading, and tune back in *four* weeks!

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