A request to allow multifamily housing on three properties on opposite ends of Jefferson County has been filed by a single owner with a familiar name: Louisville Metro Government.
In recent weeks, the city moved to rezone two parcels of land in Valley Station and Berrytown, as well as the former Watson Lane Elementary School building, all in an effort to convert them into affordable housing.
The request comes as Mayor Craig Greenberg seeks to build or renovate 15,000 homes during his first term. And they serve as a potential way to accelerate private development of much-needed units for low-income residents through new public investment.
“We need to create more housing options for families and individuals across the city,” Greenberg said in a statement. “It removes barriers to creating housing options.” “Measures like these will help us reach the My Louisville Home Plan’s 15,000 housing goal.”
Louisville Metro Government spent a total of $2 million on these properties using general funds from the city's budget. If the rezoning is successful, the property will be awarded to the developer through a bidding process, said Marilyn Harris, director of the Louisville Department of Housing and Community Development.
Zone changes can take 18 months or more and there is no guarantee that they will be approved. Harris said by taking over this process, the city can take the burden off the developer.
The city has no concrete plans for the property, leaving design to interested developers. But Harris said none of them would be used for large apartment complexes.
Instead, the city wants developments that are slightly more dense than single-family homes, such as duplexes, triplexes and townhomes.
“Currently, you can build a home on a 9,000-square-foot lot,” Harris said. “If we install two, the density will double. We're looking at how we can increase the density and provide more housing options for residents in the community.”
Harris said city staff consulted with Metro Council members who represent the district where the property is located before proceeding with the rezoning process. And development proposals must respect the strategic plan for the area, such as the Berrytown Neighborhood Plan.
“We don't want to be an intruder into the community,” Harris said. “We want to integrate into the community.”
Councilman Marcus Winkler, who represents the Berrytown area, said residents of the historically black neighborhood were “very concerned” to hear the city was purchasing the residential property. But their minds changed when they learned they would have more say in what was built there.
Berrytown has a strong history of black homeownership, and residents want that tradition to remain, Winkler said.
“If the city owns the property, it will have more say in the outcome,” he said, adding that the city could require some level of home ownership when selecting bids for the property. He added that there is. “Until a grant agreement is signed, there will be healthy skepticism. But at this point, I think most of our neighbors will say this is a more positive outcome than anyone expected.” Masu.”
All three properties would have to go through the same rezoning process as any other property, and city officials would have to hold two public meetings before going to the Land Development and Transportation Commission for review.
Public meetings have already been scheduled at two locations:
- 9101 John Hicks Way − Tuesday, March 12, 6 p.m., Southwest Government Center, 7219 Dixie Highway.
- 1408 N. English Station Road − Tuesday, March 19, 6 p.m., Berrytown Recreation Center, 1300 Heafer Road.
Contact reporter Bailey Loosemore at bloosemore@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4646 or on Twitter. @bloosemore.
