For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

   NEIGHBORHOOD or NEIGHBORHOOD BOUNDARIES. The geographical area being studied for the purpose of neighborhood plan development in accordance with this chapter.

   NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN.A document prepared in accordance with this chapter, as well as the policies and procedures established by Develop Louisville, or its successor, and intended to address the planning needs and policy goals of the citizens of a particular geographic area of Louisville Metro. This term shall include small area studies and plans, corridor studies and plans, and other similar documents, provided the particular document is prepared in accordance with this chapter.

(Lou. Metro Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 31-2021, 3-4-2021)

   All neighborhood plans shall be initiated by either (i) Develop Louisville, or its successor, or (ii) a written request to Develop Louisville, or its successor, from the Metro Council member(s) of the district(s) the neighborhood that will be the subject of the neighborhood plan is located in. Other stakeholders in the neighborhood, including but not limited to, small cities or neighborhood associations, may request that Develop Louisville, or its successor, initiate a neighborhood plan. Factors used by Develop Louisville or its successor, in considering such stakeholder requests include, but are not limited to: funding availability, staff capacity, and if a neighborhood plan already exists for the neighborhood, the age of the existing neighborhood plan.

(Lou. Metro Ord. No. 31-2021, 3-4-2021)

areas of concern to the neighborhood. If included, these sections should contain an assessment of neighborhood issues and assets as they currently exist, and specific recommendations for improvement or preservation. These sections may include, but not be limited to:

      (1)   Economic Development;

      (2)   Environmental Resources;

      (3)   Community Facilities and Services;

      (4)   Parks, Open Space, and Recreation;

      (5)   Urban Design or Special District;

      (6)   Historic Preservation;

      (7)   Safety;

      (8)   Youth Engagement;

      (9)   Welcoming Community;

      (10)   Aging in Place;

      (11)   Digital Infrastructure; and

      (12)   Education.

(Lou. Metro Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 31-2021, 3-4-2021)

   Develop Louisville, or its successor, administers the neighborhood planning process. The role of Develop Louisville, or its successor, is to ensure that the neighborhood plan process is conducted in accordance with Develop Louisville, or its successor, policies and guidelines, create or assist in the creation of neighborhood plans, conduct reviews of draft neighborhood plans for conformance with the Comprehensive Plan, Planning Commission policies, and this chapter.

(Lou. Metro Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 31-2021, 3-4-2021)

      (1)   The Advisory Group shall consist of at least seven individuals, with a recommended maximum of 20 individuals, to be determined during the pre-planning process based on neighborhood size and input from Develop Louisville, or its successor, and the impacted Metro Council member(s). The majority of the Advisory Group shall be composed of individuals with a primary residence within the neighborhood.

      (2)   Other potential members of the Advisory Group may include, but are not limited to, the following:

         (a)   Non-resident owners of property within the neighborhood;

         (b)   Owners of businesses within the neighborhood; and

         (c)   Representatives of institutions within the neighborhood.

      (3)   No more than one person per parcel, address, or business may serve on the Advisory Group.

      (4)   The demographic composition of the Advisory Group shall be diverse in age, race, gender, ability, property ownership status, and socioeconomic status.

   (C)   Advisory Group role. The Advisory Group’s participation in the development of the neighborhood plan involves identifying important neighborhood issues and potential stakeholders, and working with staff to provide input on content and recommendations of the neighborhood plan. The Advisory Group shall perform a purely advisory role related to issues specific to development of the neighborhood plan, under leadership provided by Develop Louisville, or its successor, or its consultant. No official positions within the Advisory Group exist, and the Advisory Group is not authorized to ratify or otherwise approve the contents of neighborhood plans. The Advisory Group function does not include input on current discretionary reviews, infrastructure improvements, or development activities in progress within the neighborhood.

(Lou. Metro Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 31-2021, 3-4-2021)

   (A)   Use by the Metro Council.

      (1)   If the Metro Council adopts a neighborhood plan or plan section, it shall thereafter consider the recommendations and proposals of the plan in the development of county-wide plans and strategies, the review of policy, the allocation of resources, the provision of services and the preparation and review of budgets, both general and community development; and

      (2)   The Council may also exercise its authority under KRS 100.211 to act as applicant for form district or zoning change proposals recommended by the plan to establish a development pattern compatible with the neighborhood plan or plan sections. This shall in no way bind the Metro Council to approve any form district or zoning change proposal. The Metro Council shall objectively discharge its responsibilities pursuant to KRS Ch. 100.

      (3)   The neighborhood plans or plan sections shall be introduced as official planning evidence in the review of zoning change proposals for determining agreement with the community's Comprehensive Plan.

   (B)   Use by executive branch. Adopted neighborhood plans or plan sections shall be used by the executive branch of Metro Government and various associated agencies as guides in the development of county-wide plans and policies, the review of policy, the allocation of resources, the provision of services and the preparation and review of budgets, both general and community development.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 153.06) (Lou. Ord. No. 22-1980, approved 2-26-1980; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)

   (A)   Neighborhood meeting requirement. Prior to submitting the draft neighborhood plan to the Planning Commission for a public hearing, the plan shall be made available for public review and comment at a public meeting, in addition to other public presentations such as online engagement. This meeting/presentation is not included in the minimum of three public engagements required during the planning process in § 161.03(F). The plan should be accessible to all, including any reasonable accommodations needed to overcome language, literacy or technology barriers.

   (B)   Planning Commission public hearing and recommendation. After a neighborhood plan has been prepared in accordance with this chapter, and before it is acted on by the Metro Council, the Louisville Metro Planning Commission shall hold at least one public hearing and make a recommendation to Metro Council on the neighborhood plan, including what portions, if any, of the executive summary of the neighborhood plan should be adopted by Metro Council as an amendment to the comprehensive plan. The Planning Commission shall publish notice of the public hearing not less than seven nor more than 21 days prior to the hearing, in accordance with KRS Chapter 424.

   (C)   Metro Council adoption. After the Planning Commission has held a public hearing and made a recommendation on a neighborhood plan, the Metro Council may enact an ordinance adopting the neighborhood plan as recommended by the Planning Commission, or with modifications. Additionally, the Metro Council may specifically adopt an Executive Summary of the neighborhood plan as an amendment to the comprehensive plan.

(Lou. Metro Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 31-2021, 3-4-2021)

   All neighborhood plans or plan sections may be reviewed and amended by the Metro Council at any time. The Planning Commission or Metro Council may initiate updates to previously completed neighborhood plans, including plans that were completed, but that were not formally adopted by the legislative body. Executive summaries of such plans may be adopted as part of the comprehensive plan if found to comply with the adopted goals and objectives of the comprehensive plan in place at the time of the proposed update or adoption. Such review and amendment shall follow the procedures set forth under §§ 161.01 through 161.07.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 153.07) (Lou. Ord. No. 22-1980, approved 2-26-1980; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)

   Neighborhood plans adopted by the Metro Council in accordance with this chapter shall be listed in Table XIV: Land Development Code, contained in the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government Table of Special Ordinances.

(Lou. Metro Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)

   (A)   (1)   The Metro Council finds that there are presently numerous projects involving long-term capital commitments of private and public funds which are in progress or will soon commence in downtown; that the success of each individual project depends upon, and has tremendous impact on the overall success of this Metro Government's efforts to revitalize and redevelop the downtown; and, that there is a need for coordination of the development plans of the various public and private projects to insure that the goals and objectives of each project are compatible with the overall long-term development of the downtown.

      (2)   The Council also finds that there are numerous interest groups, governmental agencies, and public and private decision makers at the local, state and federal level which may impede development progress in the downtown unless they are able to arrive at common agreement on development goals and objectives.

      (3)   Finally, the Council finds that there is a need for established long-term goals, objectives, and plans for development in the downtown that are free from the influence of short-term goals and objectives of changing government administrations.

   (B)   The Metro Council declares as a matter of public policy that a Louisville Downtown Development Plan is needed in order to:

      (1)   Coordinate existing and proposed development projects, both public and private, downtown;

      (2)   Provide a framework whereby business, government, neighborhood preservationists, and other interest groups can arrive at common agreement on development downtown; and

      (3)   Establish long-term principles, goals, objectives, plans, and policies for the Downtown will facilitate coordinated and harmonious development, and eliminate uncertainty and disruption in the planning and implementation of development downtown.

   (C)   It is specifically intended that this Louisville Downtown Development Plan shall serve generally as a guide for determining the appropriateness of development and for decisions involving expenditure of public funds to achieve maximum public benefit from investment of these public funds in downtown.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 153.20) (Lou. Ord. No. 114-1980, approved 8-21-1980; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)

   For the purpose of this subchapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

   DOWNTOWN. The term shall not be considered in the traditional context of a Central Business District of one square mile bounded by the Ohio River, York Street, the North-South Expressway and Roy Wilkins Boulevard, but shall rather consist of this intensively developed area plus the contiguous surrounding and inter-related neighborhoods insofar as important physical and functional relationships exist. The Louisville Downtown Development Plan shall include those elements of surrounding neighborhoods which must work in concert with the intensively developed central area.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 153.21) (Lou. Ord. No. 114-1980, approved 8-21-1980; Lou. Am. Res. 186-1982, approved 8-11-1982; Lou. Am. Res. 268-1983, approved 12-13-1983; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)

   The Louisville Downtown Development Plan shall be prepared by the staff of the Downtown Development Corporation, Inc. and stakeholders in downtown.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 153.26) (Lou. Ord. No. 114-1980, approved 8-21-1980; Lou. Am. Ord. No. 67-1986, approved 2-27-1986; Lou. Am. Ord. No. 126-1999, approved 9-16-1999; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)

   The Louisville Downtown Development Plan or initial plan sections shall contain as a minimum:

   (A)   Consolidation of existing plans. The numerous existing plans and plan elements for downtown shall be consolidated and analyzed for compatibility or conflict. These existing plans include the Center City Development Plan of 1969 by Gruen Associates; the 1979 Update of the Louisville Center City Plan by Gruen Associates; the Concepts for the Broadway Area Plan; the Main Street Study; the Center City Transportation Plan; the 500 Block-River City Mall Plan; Station Park Plans; Old Louisville and other surrounding Neighborhood Plans; the Galleria Plan; the Kentucky Center for the Arts Plans, Medical Center Plans and other related plans.

   (B)   Recommendations.

      (1)   The Plan shall make recommendations for resolving any conflicts in existing plans identified in subsection (A) above.

      (2)   In addition the Plan shall identify strategic focus areas where there are needs or opportunities for public or private action to enhance the existing development plans.

   (C)   Establishment of priorities. The Plan shall establish guiding principles and priorities for carrying out the recommendations identified in subsection (B) above.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 153.27) (Lou. Ord. No. 114-1980, approved 8-21-1980; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)

   The Downtown Development Corporation, Inc. shall submit the proposed Development Plan or plan sections to the Metro Council concerning adoption of the Plan within 60 days from receipt of the Plan. The Metro Council shall adopt the Plan by ordinance in accordance with its customary procedure.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 153.28) (Lou. Ord. No. 114-1980, approved 8-21-1980; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)

   The adopted Louisville Downtown Development Plan shall be used by elected officials and appropriate agencies as a guide for development of metropolitan wide plans and policies; allocation of resources; preparation and review of general and community development budgets; encouragement of private investment; and generally determining the appropriateness of development in downtown. The Louisville Downtown Development Plan shall not have the effect of land use controls such as zoning regulations.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 153.29) (Lou. Ord. No. 114-1980, approved 8-21-1980; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)

   The Louisville Downtown Development Plan may be revised and amended, as authorized by the Metro Council in that Plan.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 153.30) (Lou. Ord. No. 114-1980, approved 8-21-1980; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)

   (A)   The Metro Council accepts and recognizes the principles, goals, objectives, and recommendations as set out in the Louisville Downtown Development Plan as a consensus of the community's goals, desires, and concerns regarding development and planning for downtown.

   (B)   The Metro Council and the executive branch of Metro Government and its various associated agencies shall consider the Louisville Downtown Development Plan as a guide for development of metropolitan-wide plans and policies; allocation of resources; preparation and review of general and community development budgets; encouragement of private investment; and generally determining the appropriateness of development in downtown. The Louisville Downtown Development Plan shall not have the effect of land use controls such as zoning regulations.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 153.31) (Lou. Ord. No. 96-1982, approved 5-18-1982; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)

   (A)   The boundaries of the neighborhood must specifically define a geographic area recognizing historical factors, natural boundaries, and community identification. The membership of the neighborhood organization must be involved in the designation of neighborhood boundaries.

   (B)   The stated purpose of the neighborhood organization must include the conservation and improvement of the neighborhood, and shall not be limited in scope to the performance of one particular project or program.

   (C)   Membership in the neighborhood organization must be open to all residents of the neighborhood, and may not require prohibitive dues.

   (D)   Officials of the neighborhood organizations must be elected by the general memberships, and no member in good standing may be excluded from voting.

   (E)   The annual general membership meeting and board of director meetings of the neighborhood organization shall be listed in the organizational bylaws, and all meetings must be well publicized in advance and open to the general public.

   (F)   The neighborhood organization must be incorporated and have bylaws which have been adopted by the general membership.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 153.35) (Lou. Ord. No. 197-1980, approved 11-26-1980; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)

   (A)   A neighborhood organization applying for official recognition must submit to the Department of Neighborhoods of the city the following information.

      (1)   The bylaws and articles of incorporation of the neighborhood organization.

      (2)   A map of the geographical boundaries of the neighborhood or a written description of the geographical boundaries of the neighborhood.

      (3)   A letter requesting official recognition.

   (B)   The Department of Neighborhoods shall review the neighborhood's application to determine compliance with subsection (A) above. If it is determined the application is not complete the Department of Neighborhoods will assist the neighborhood in complying with recognition procedures. If any disputes arise over neighborhood boundaries, the area disputed will not be included in either neighborhood. The Department of Neighborhoods after making a final determination of the neighborhood organization to officially represent the neighborhood will request the Metro Council to formally recognize the neighborhood organization by resolution.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 153.36) (Lou. Ord. No. 197-1980, approved 11-26-1980; Lou. Ord. No. 67-1986, approved 2-27-1986; Lou. Am. Ord. No. 126-1999, approved 9-16-1999; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)

   (A)   Neighborhood organizations shall be advisory to the Mayor, Metro Council, and other Metro Government boards, Commissions, and officials on matters affecting their neighborhoods.

   (B)   Neighborhood organizations may submit to the Metro Government departments and elected or appointed Metro Government bodies requests or proposals for projects or activities needed in their neighborhood.

   (C)   Neighborhood organizations may apply to the Metro Government for financial assistance, subject to availability, to develop neighborhood plans and proposals for land use, zoning, transportation, housing, economic development, parks and recreation, and other activities and services affecting the neighborhood in accordance with §§ 161.01 through 161.08.

   (D)   Neighborhood organizations shall continue the planning process by reevaluating the goals, objectives, and recommendations contained within the neighborhood plan.

   (E)   Neighborhood organizations may address themselves to all matters which affect them and may establish relations, not in conflict with Metro Government-neighborhood relations set forth in this subchapter, with any agency or jurisdiction with which they have mutual concerns. This subchapter governs only the relationship between recognized neighborhood organizations and the metropolitan area.

   (F)   Neighborhood organizations shall inform themselves of neighborhood needs and desires and maintain communication with their neighborhoods on plans, proposals, and activities affecting their areas.

   (G)   It shall be the responsibility of the neighborhood organizations to keep themselves informed of all proposed legislation affecting their neighborhoods so that they may participate in the legislative process.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 153.37) (Lou. Ord. No. 197-1980, approved 11-26-1980; Lou. Am. Ord. No. 67-1986, approved 2-27-1986; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)

   The Metro Government shall, through the Department of Neighborhoods, maintain a directory of neighborhood organizations. This directory shall be updated yearly. The official neighborhood maps for Louisville Metro shall be maintained and updated through the Louisville/Jefferson County Information Consortium (LOJIC) system.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 153.38) (Lou. Ord. No. 197-1980, approved 11-26-1980; Lou. Ord. No. 67-1986, approved 2-27-1986; Lou. Am. Ord. No. 126-1999, approved 9-16-1999; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)

   If any provision of this subchapter is found to be in conflict with the Citizen Participation Plan which is a requirement of the Community Development Block Grant Program, the provisions of the Citizen Participation Plan shall prevail.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 153.39) (Lou. Ord. No. 197-1980, approved 11-26-1980; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)

   If any provision of this chapter as now or later amended or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

(1994 Jeff. Code, § 10.07) (Jeff. Ord. 36-1994, adopted and effective 12-20-1994; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 75-2007, approved 4-30-2007)