Tightening Edition Of Louisville District 8 ENews Is Live

Press release from the City of Louisville:

May 6, 2020

• Welcome: Capital Offense
• District 8 Streets Report: Fare’s Fair
• District 8 Development Report: Virtual Insanity
• District 8 Crime Report: Easy, Rider
• District 8 Events Calendar: The Fortnight Ahead
• 8 Shout-Outs: The Grateful 8th
• In Two Weeks: The Apolitical Edition

Welcome: Capital Offense

For the latest news, available resources and government response to the coronavirus crisis, please visit these local, state and federal websites. Here, also, is a new local testing resource.

Each year, in this space, I give my first take on the mayor’s recommended new budget. Due to the financial uncertainty and impact of COVID-19, Mayor Greg Fischer presented a continuation budget to Metro Council last week, which means no service level changes, no new programs, no cost of living adjustment for non-union personnel, no new positions, no furloughs, no layoffs and the continuation of approved contracts (including labor union requirements) and all current benefits. The forestry division within Develop Louisville has been transferred to the Department of Parks & Recreation – it’s a minor detail – otherwise, the entire governmental organization is just about the same as last year. What I'd give for more to rate and analyze!

That leaves only the capital budget, which for the purpose of this column, my observations are limited to the projects recommended for funding. (Notwithstanding, it is clear that a structural change is necessary to build this city and a future for ourselves. We have gotten to the point where operating expenses consume all general fund revenue and the capital budget is more than 99.9% debt financing and grants.)

The mayor’s capital budget is like a box of chocolates. All I really wanted was funding ($60,000) to conduct a detailed traffic analysis of removing the Bardstown Road peak hours lane lights, a top recommendation for implementation of the Bardstown Road Safety Study. We didn’t get it. (Although, we will.) I was surprised to learn, however, that instead the budget includes $2.5 million for intelligent traffic signal synchronization along the corridor (from Broadway to the Snyder Freeway) to support congestion mitigation and future bus rapid transit. This is a good thing that complements our other planned improvements. The other sweet morsel to District 8 in the budget is a pair of investments in Cherokee Park: $300,000 to repair and restore the historic Gaulbert Pavilion in the Big Rock area; and some portion of $200,000 allotted for Olmsted Parks hiking trails to repair the 4.8-mile Cherokee Trail that loops the park. (This funding leverages a $300,000 commitment from the Olmsted Parks Conservancy.)

Other than diminished levels of ordinary paving, sidewalk repair and public works miscellany, the only additional D8 CapEx is Council discretionary funding in the total combined amount of $69,000, the bulk of which I expect to spend on enhanced Bardstown Road and sidewalk lighting, another top priority due to the high occurrence of nighttime crashes and pedestrian strikes. (Our engineering firm’s lighting improvement plan is coming soon.) New street trees and/or delineator posts to reduce curb radii are also distinct possibilities. I will publish our office budgets in June.

Outside District 8, I am happy to see funding for conversion of at least eight one-way streets in downtown Louisville to two-way traffic flow, construction of 10 more miles of the Louisville Loop and the creation and preservation of affordable housing and homeownership across the city. By contrast, I am concerned to see $435,000 for demolition (“or relocation,” which is interesting) of the historic Odd Fellows Building, part of the Omni Hotel complex. Not only is the structure under consideration for individual landmark status (a public hearing originally scheduled for April 16 has been postponed) but, also, city law prohibits the issuance of a wrecking permit for a historic building until a redevelopment plan has been approved and new construction permits have been issued. We are nowhere close to that and, in the meantime, we have too many hungry mouths to feed. This can wait another year, or forever. Similarly, funding a Preston Highway Corridor Master Plan ($150,000) and upgrading central business district street lights to LED ($1.25 million) are worthy causes but why continue to ignore the Highlands’ well-documented and paid for needs in these areas? (The CBD lighting did not go through a study other than an inspection of the condition of the poles.)

Jo-buu… I good to you, I stand up for you. If you no help me now… I do it myself.

A full schedule of Budget committee meetings, a link to budget documents, a form to comment on the budget and instructions for speaking at virtual public hearings are available at the Metro Council Clerk’s page. The capital plan comprises pages 186 - 208 of the Recommended Executive Budget.

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: Fare’s Fair

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

Last week, TARC announced plans to dramatically realign its system map, ultimately eliminating 22 of 47 current routes (47%) and decreasing the frequency of its Dixie Rapid BRT route 10. None of the routes that pass through District 8 will be impacted. Proposed changes include discontinuing all express routes and circulators (except the route 20 Riverport Circulator) and local routes 62 (Breckenridge Shepherdsville), 82 (New Albany - Jeffersonville) and 22 (Twenty-Second Street).

Eventually, I expect the frequency and service level of remaining routes to increase as a result but the details are unclear at this point. Also, I have already inquired into relocating the all-electric, zero emissions buses to District 8 commercial corridor and/or parks circulators. No word yet but I won’t soon forget.

TARC is reviewing the changes through an equity lens but 97% of riders use barely half of the current routes (which was true before coronavirus) and TARC’s cost per rider nears $60 in some parts of our community (versus $2.50 elsewhere), which threatens the enterprise. (This isn’t the first time buses have been on the brink of the abyss. If you have 26 minutes and 50 seconds, check out “A Symptom of the 70’s,” by legendary Louisville documentary filmmaker Al Shands.)

Detailed information concerning the changes is posted on TARC’s website, here, and public comments may be submitted to: PublicComment@ridetarc.org Public hearings will take place online May 13th at 5:30pm and May 18th at 12:00pm, via Zoom, as well.

* * *

Beginning Wednesdays May 20 through September 2, we are resuming paid litter picking and street sweeping – the “Baxter-Bardstown Anti-Litter Leadership (BBALL)” program – from Broadway to Harvard Drive to help keep the Highlands clean and sanitary. With increasing amounts of latex gloves, masks and wipes littering our streets and risking spread of the virus, we think the program is more important than ever. Due to budget constraints, however, we are starting mid-May instead of April 1 and reducing the weekly number of four-person litter removal shifts from two to one. If we can secure a sponsorship partner ($10,000), then we will re-up the teams for Sundays, too.

* * *

Over the Next Two Weeks

Wed, May 6 (paving): Blvd Napoleon (Harvard to Yale), Wibben Ave (Dundee to Sils) and Emerson (Lakeside to Eleanor)

Thu, May 7 (paving): Gladstone Ave, Eleanor Ave (2147 Emerson (Back Off)), Tyler Ln (Lakeside to Tremont), Valetta Rd (2414 to Dell Rd) and Meadow Rd (2601 to Trevilian)

Louisville Water Company Windsor Place Service Area dates are tentative. Please note Type A versus Type B restoration projects. Windsor Pl includes speed humps.

Thu, May 14 (milling) / Thu, May 21 (paving): Hartman Ave (Stevens to Bonnycastle), Stevens Ave (Norris to Fernwood), Norris Pl (1508 to Stevens), Sherwood Ave (Norris to Fernwood) and Eastern Pkwy (Quadrant to Bardstown)

Fri, May 15 (milling) / Fri, May 22 (paving): Eastern Pkwy (Quadrant to Baxter), Edenside Ave (Baxter to Quadrant and Norris to Bardstown), Baxter Ave (Edenside to Eastern and at Windsor) and Windsor Pl

Mon, May 18 (milling) / Mon, May 25 (paving): Tyler Park Dr (Baxter to Castlewood)

Tue, May 19 (milling) / Tue, May 26 (paving): Cross Rd, Beverly Rd, Hill Rd, Valley Rd and Castlewood Ave (at Barret)

Wed, May 20 (milling) / Wed, May 27 (paving): Bates Ct (Barret to cul-de-sac), Hawthorn Hill (1368 to Barret), Barret Ave (1300 to Eastern) and Royal Ave

No sidewalk projects are scheduled.

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: Virtual Insanity

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.

Over the last few months, the Metro Council led by Paula McCraney (D-7) and, also, the development community (particularly over the last few weeks) have been working on new standards for conducting neighborhood meetings – and virtual neighborhood meetings, in this time of emergency. District 8 has two rezonings and 13 conditional use permits (including 11 short term rentals) waiting to proceed with their neighborhood meetings. The backlog is 131 cases citywide. The Planning Commission Policy and Procedures Committee is scheduled to review a draft document addressing these issues as part of the Commission’s Bylaws and Policies this Friday (5/8). Hopefully, the modifications prove workable over the short-term and improve accessibility and equity in the long-term.

* * *

Over the Last Two Weeks

On May 5th, the Metro Council Planning and Zoning Committee tabled until May 19 an ordinance denying a change in zoning from R-5B to R-8A at 1400 Hepburn Avenue. O-165-20

Over the Next Two Weeks

On May 18th at 1:00pm, the Board of Zoning Adjustment will hold a public hearing to review a request for a conditional use permit to allow a private institutional use at 2169 Tyler Lane. 20-CUP-0044The meeting will be held online via Webex.

• Meeting Link: https://louisvilleky.webex.com/webappng/sites/louisvilleky/meeting/download/cd5949d9d33940cca963781539481911?siteurl=louisvilleky&MTID=m3c8c056bda2e0efcf13217f65f58c40f
• Meeting number: 478 254 179
• Meeting password: BOZA051820

You may also participate by calling (415) 655-0001 or by viewing the meeting at 444 S. 5th Street in Conference Room 101. (Social distancing requirements must be observed.)

Written comments may be submitted to case manager jon.crumbie@louisvilleky.gov or by filling out the online form by 5:00pm on May 15th. If you have questions, please call Jon at (502) 574-6230.

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: Easy, Rider

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 (4/19/20 - 5/2/20). Please note the linked maps cover the entire LMPD Fifth Division, not just District 8 (Beats 2, 3 and 4).

The Synergy Project is LMPD’s new relationship and trust building program and next Monday (5/11) was supposed to be District 8’s turn to tell the police what we want from them to feel safer and more heard. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus, the event cannot go on at the Douglass Community Center Gym as planned. However, nine neighborhood leaders representing the Original Highlands, Tyler Park, Deer Park, Belknap, Cherokee Triangle, Bonnycastle, Highlands-Douglass, Highland Commerce Guild, Olmsted Parks Conservancy and I are moving ahead with LMPD to test the concept of a virtual Action Session. Space is limited on the call in order for facilitators to break us and police out into virtual groups for discussion but if the concept works well we could potentially hold more and make them bigger or more frequent. In any event, we will report out the takeaways in the next Crime Report. If you have hopes, concerns or ideas about our community-police relationships, please share them with me and I will raise them on your behalf.

* * *

Burglary – There were two burglaries this reporting period, a decrease from the last reporting period (8). There was one in Beat 2 and one in Beat 4. One was unlocked and one was by force. One was business and one was residential. See maps here and here for more detail.

Auto Theft – There were four auto thefts this reporting period, a decrease from the last reporting period (5). Three were in Beat 2 and one was in Beat 3. Two were unlocked, one was by unknown means and one was by force. See maps here and here for more detail.

Theft from Automobile – There were eight thefts from automobile this reporting period, a significant decrease from the last reporting period (16). There were six in Beat 2, one in Beat 3 and one in Beat 4. Four of the vehicles were unlocked, three were by unknown means and one was by force. Please remember to Lock, Take and Hide! See maps here and here for more detail.

2020 District 8 “Unlocked” Crimes Tracker

Q2: 19/47 = 40.4%

Q1: 50/157 = 33.8%

2019: 182/492 = 37%

2018: 206/581 = 35.5%

2020 over 2019 District 8 CompStat Data (Period 2020 17)

* * *

Traffic – May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, so on May 4th, LMPD conducted a traffic detail from 4:00-9:00pm to address speeding concerns along Bardstown Road from Trevilian Way to E. Broadway, particularly with motorcycles. District 8 provided 15 hours of overtime funding for three officers and Lt. Rob King rode the detail on straight time. The effort resulted in: eight citations issued; one felony citation; one misdemeanor citation; one noise ordinance violation; three parking citations; 10 warnings; and it yielded 220.7 grams of marijuana and 4.5 grams of psilocybin mushrooms. Seven motorcyclists were cited. We remind motorists and motorcyclists to share the road conscientiously and courteously to help prevent crashes and injuries on our roadways.

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.

MAY 14 6:00pm Metro Council Meeting

MAY 18 1:00pm BOZA Meeting 20-CUP-0044 2169 Tyler Ln

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 Louisville Metro CFO Daniel Frockt for his command of the city’s finances, preparedness to answer even the toughest budget hearing questions and fondness for Snoop Dogg!
2. Shout-out to Katy Delahanty, Danny Seim, John Gilderbloom and the Portland Task Force for pulling together to transform 20 houses along Portland Avenue into beautiful, bright chromatic homes! Louisville now ranks fourth in the nation for the number of colorfully painted homes (including many in District 8), behind San Francisco, New Orleans and Miami. Please help support the Portland “Turret to Turret” project; contact me to get in touch with the team!
3. Shout-out to Lawn Care for Cleaner Air for giving cash to citizens for buying electric lawn equipment!
4. Shout-out, fare thee well and Godspeed to District 8 intern Jimmy Golden! Jimmy comes from our Louis D. Brandeis School of Law talent pipeline and – before coronavirus disrupted his experience with us – he significantly contributed to our policy shop, including new legislation to expand and enhance protections and accommodations for accessible parking, which I intend to file soon!
5. Shout-out to Robbie Howard (who also helped research and draft the above-referenced ordinance) and all the legislative services attorneys – the latest civil servants to be furloughed – for sacrificing to help deal with the city’s budget problems! Robbie, Jason Fowler, Lauren Givhan, Natalie Johnson, Paul Rutherford, Jeff Derouen, John Carroll, Travis Fiechter, Laura Ferguson and Kathi Schadt are unsung heroes without whose tireless work, advice and counsel Louisville could not move forward!
6. Shout-out to Metro Council Clerk Sonya Harward, Executive Assistant to the President Ginny First, IT Client Services Manager Joan Sheffer, Assistant County Attorney Hollie Hopkins and the whole team responsible for transitioning the Metro Council to virtual meetings! It is working out okay!
7. Shout-out to all the wonderful human beings involved in lifting up Louisville, making us proud and inspiring us! Watch it again!
8. Finally, shout-out and happy Mother’s Day to all the baby's mamas, mamas mamas, mamas, baby mamas, mamas and, especially, Summer, Patti/Grammi, Punky, Star and Dinah! XOXO

In Two Weeks: The Apolitical Edition

Thanks for reading, and tune back in two weeks!

Councilman Brandon Coan | Louisville Metro Council | District 8

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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.