Cherokee Triangle Preservation and Restoration
In February of 1989, the Cherokee Triangle Association and the Louisville and
Jefferson County Planning Commission published the Cherokee Triangle Neighborhood
Plan, a collaborative effort by the neighborhood and local government to establish
certain goals as well as detail zoning ordinances relating to the Triangle.
Upon its acceptance, this Plan was to be used "in the review of policy,
the allocation of resources, and as official planning evidence in the review
of zoning change proposals." Accordingly, its effect as a matter of governmental
decision making is much broader than the specific zoning changes set forth
in the Plan.
The bulk of the Cherokee Triangle was essentially "down-zoned" by
law, as a result of the Plan and enabling ordinances. Most properties previously
designated Residential Multi-Family (R-6, R-7, or R-8) were redesignated R-5B,
which restricted any property previously single-family from ever having more
than one additional rental unit, either within the house or in a carriage house,
and only when the owner still occupied the property. This R-5B designation also
restricted multi-family property owners from increasing the units in their property.
The plan encourages decreasing density and the number of units in any given
structure. THIS ZONING CHANGE IS LAW AND WILL BE ENFORCED.
Another goal of the 1989 Plan was the creation of a corporation to specifically
address the 'physical appearance" of structures within the Triangle, enhancing
owners' ability to repair and restore their homes through loans, facilitation
of loans, and other techniques. This goal was furthered in 1999-2000 by the
formation of the Triangle Restoration Corporation, a non-profit corporation
which has dealt with certain ad hoc or crisis issues arising within the neighborhood,
but which has yet to undertake a specific loan project.
Other goals of the Plan, including the reduction of speed limits on Cherokee
Road, tree preservation along the main thoroughfares, and improvement of alley
conditions including preservation of remaining brick alleys, the correction
of litter and trash problems, and upgrading the appearance of garages and carriage
houses are in varying stages of implementation.
This brief overview of the Neighborhood Plan is far from complete. A complete
copy of the Plan can be found at the Highlands Branch of the Public Library
(at Mid-City Mall) or by contacting the Cherokee Triangle Association offices.
The Plan remains a viable and evolving blueprint for achieving a better and
more secure Triangle neighborhood in future years.