Link to the LEO

Here is a link to a great story by Editor Stephen George of the Leo Weekly. A must read for the surrounding communities.
http://www.leoweekly.com/editor%E2%80%99s-note/new-development

Tandy support's Butchertown!!

Hello everyone, I hope you had an enjoyable holiday. Please take a look at the statement that I received this afternoon ahead of tomorrow's BOZA hearing about the illegal JBS Swift expansion. Council President David Tandy, a strong supporter of Butchertown, is backing the Butchertown Neighborhood Plan which calls for the relocation of JBS Swift. Stay tuned for an update on what happens at the hearing!

- Andy Cornelius (painting by Lynn Dubar- great site!!)



On behalf of President Tandy-

Dear BOZA Members and all interested parties:

I am writing today with regard to the JBS Swift plant in the Butchertown Neighborhood, which is located in the Fourth Metro Council District and the matter currently involving the facility that is before your board.

Let me begin by stating that it must be recognized that JBS Swift, like many other employers located here in Louisville, serves an important role in the current and future economic vitality of our community by employing approximately 1,300 individuals at their Louisville plant.

In light of the current economic conditions, we in this community and around the country face, job retention and creation is critical to our city's long term development and growth.

As such, I am committed to working to retain JBS Swift and the jobs it currently provides and will create in the future in Louisville Metro for many years to come.

With that being said, I am strongly in favor, however, of developing a plan that would move Swift out of the Historic Butchertown Neighborhood in the near future and into a suitable location within Jefferson County that will provide the space needed for its continued service to this community as a viable business, while at the same time amicably coexisting with the environment around it.

As for the issue before you tomorrow regarding the expansion of JBS Swift, while I understand this issue is under your authority as a board and respect your final decision, I am disappointed with the way this matter has been handled. In my opinion the neighborhood association and BOZA were not involved or notified in an appropriate manner.
I respectfully ask that as the Board moves forward with this matter that the thoughts and opinions of the citizens that call Butchertown home be given your full attention and consideration.

Thanks for your continued work on behalf of the residents of our community.

Very truly yours,
David W. Tandy
President, Louisville Metro Council
Fourth District Councilman

Get Your Garden Space Now!!!

Hello Butchertown-

I am pleased to be announcing new gardening and local food options to the Butchertown and surrounding communities!!! The good folks up at the Green Building on Market St have recently acquired raised garden beds that will be for rent to the public. Many Butchertown residents are renters or deal with a lot of shade, which isn't always conducive growing edibles, but your solution is here! Go in with a friend or neighbor and for $25 per year you can have your own garden. The plots are 4x8 feet, and water is available on site- just gather your favorite seedlings and watch your fresh, local food supply flourish. Questions on how you can have your own plot of paradise can be directed to Eric Burnette, his email address is easy- eric.burnette@gmail.com.

This is a great way to enjoy fresh foods, meet new people, and become active in the community. Hope to see you there!



(Photo from Scout Regalia)

JBS admits "mistakes were made"

At tonight's JBS Swift's neighborhood meeting at Hall's Cafeteria, both the plant engineer and general managers admitted that "mistakes were made" in the way they went about expanding their facility. They also acknowledged that the structure they are using to unload the live pigs has not been inspected by city officials, which poses potential hazards for their workers who unload between 15,000 to 16,500 pigs per day. Those numbers seemed to exceed the maximum production rate they are allowed to slaughter at 10,000 per day, but further investigation is required to determine that. They also informed us that no union labor was used in the illegal construction, which gave mixed signals coming from such a strong union facility, one would assume that a union contractor would be used to show support of local unions.

Fox 41 link to story that was on the late news

Courier-Journal's coverage here

The panel of JBS Swift representatives were asked tough questions, and to many of them they did not have solid answers. Their application for expansion gave a reason for increased "storage," but the plant engineer stumbled when he was asked to show where the storage would be. Also, JBS Swift informed the neighborhood that they haven't considered using an exterior facade that would allow the new structures to fit into the fabric of the historic neighborhood.

While the neighborhood's questions poured out, local union members sat silent- perhaps in awe of how their employer has jeopardized their safety and left the door wide open to serious consequences by the Metro Government.

More to come, and bet your bottom dollar we will let you know when the next hearing on this topic is.

Come One, Come All

Yup, it is finally here. All the e-mailin', phone callin', brown nosin' and elbow greasin' will show its colors this wonderful Sunday, May 17th at the Butchertown Art Fair. Please bring a smile, some cash and absolutely everyone you know.

Amongst the sea of vendors, you can also experience some puppy cuddles, haircuts for cash, some local herbs, kite babies in the breeze, bluegrass, organic coffee, beer and lots more.

Translation:
The Humane Society will be there with their traveling adoption truck
A local Botanist will be on hand showcasing plants native to Kentucky
Art Sparks, from The Speed Art Museum, will be building kites with children
The Thomas Edison House will sponsor a Home & Garden Tour
Local Bluegrass and Jug Bands playing it up
Beverages by BBC and Redhot Roasters
Food from J Gumbos & The Bodega
And artists peddling their wares, of course.

Not "EARLY IN THE PROCESS"

Thanks for stopping by, and our regular posts will commence once the Art Fair registration period is over.

Butchertown has a very important neighborhood meeting planned for Tuesday May 19th, 6pm at Hall's Cafeteria located at 1301 Story Ave. This is in regards to JBS Swift's application to modify their existing Conditional Use Permit, as they are requesting to expand their facility. This case parallels the current JAVANON zoning and planning disaster, in which construction began without any permits and only once they were caught have they sought the proper permitting. Click here for details.

The meeting, according to design firm QK4, is" an informal meeting to give you the opportunity to review the proposed plan and discuss the proposal with the developer and its representatives." The notice goes on to say, "At this meeting, representatives for the Applicant (Swift) will explain the proposal and then discuss any concerns you may have. The purpose of this meeting is to increase your understanding of this case early in the process. We encourage you to attend and to share any concerns you may have about this proposal."

As the photo shows, they are not early in the process, but nonetheless- we must attend to voice our opinions for or against the proposed plan.

Hope to see you there.

(picture courtesy of Brokensidewalk.com)

Not SWIFT (JBS) Enough

Hello Butchertown and surrounding communities:

Do to ongoing problems with JBS Swift, we are taking a new angle at our information gathering on the truck traffic and odor complaints. We have a new email address that will be specifically for issues dealing with JBS Swift.

Swiftodor@gmail.com

Please note that this is not to replace calling Air Pollution or 311 Metro call, but it is a means for us to gather information on a city wide issue centered around our great neighborhood.

When emailing this account, please include
1) Full name
2) Address (phone # would help too!)
3) Time of day
4) Reason for action- odors, back truck traffic, dirty trucks, ect...

This issue is going to need the support of all of the effected communities to promote good corporate citizenship in how JBS Swift operates. Please pass this on to anyone who you know who is effected by this.

Sincerely,

Andy Cornelius
President
Butchertown Neighborhood Association

UPDATE!!! 155 North Campbell

This past Thursday morning, Butchertown residents gathered at the Old Jail building downtown for the appeal hearing on the Oakleaf's property at 155 N. Campbell. If you recall earlier posts, they are responsible for demolishing many historic homes north of the flood wall. This is the last standing home in a row of what was once a quaint block of shotguns.

Appeal hearings are called when an applicant is denied a demolition permit and feels that there was either a clerical error, or bad factual evidence used in the conclusion that the structure should not be demolished. After the Oakleaf's council fully acknowledged that they didn't feel that there was any error in the fact finding or a clerical error, the Landmarks Commission then asked what there grounds were for appealing. Her lawyer then did his song and dance which led to what he is now calling "economic hardship" which gives them a chance to extend the case even longer. Even though the Commission voted down the appeal, in favor of preservation and Butchertown, the Oakleafs have until the May Landmarks meeting to prove economic hardship.

Although it was a small win for now, it was sad to see Oakleaf's council trying to argue an appeal that he had clearly not researched. Landmarks had to walk him through the procedures, holding his hand to even determine grounds for the appeal. On the other hand, it should be hard to prove economic hardship for a person who owns so much property. If they just rented this out over the years for a marginal cost, the place would have paid for itself, it's upkeep, and be a revenue stream for them. Clearly this property is worth more to the Oakleafs as a bulldozed lot than as a historic home. And my question to the Oakleafs is, if you are experiencing such "economic hardship," then why haven't you put any of your real estate up for sale to raise capitol? !?!?

Stay tuned for updates!