Why is city development put above residents’ quality of life?

The Purpose and Vision of Louisville Metro Government statement reads, “Louisville Metro Government is the catalyst for creating a world-class city that provides its citizens with safe and vibrant neighborhoods, great jobs, a strong system of education and innovation, and a high quality of life.”

Louisville Metro Government should hold themselves accountable to this statement when considering new development. Currently, areas throughout the metro area are being overdeveloped to a point where residents spend a ton of their time sitting in traffic to drive a mile down the road because roads weren’t setup for the development. I see more traffic accidents now and I assume pollution levels are up from all the cars idling in traffic and the removal of mature trees and green space in general.

This is not a high quality of life for anyone. I live off Tucker Station Rd near Taylorsville Rd. To get home now in rush hour, I spend so much time just sitting on Tucker Station Rd. If Publix is built nearby, I won’t be able to enter and exit my neighborhood safely. Historic Blackacre Nature Preserve will also be negatively impacted. When my kids drive home from school down Taylorsville Rd towards I-265, they spend a lot of time sitting in traffic too. Also, FedEx trucks hit poles trying to turn down the rural Tucker Station Rd from Taylorsville Rd causing issues.

It was never like this before all the new development. They keep developing and developing with no regard to the current infrastructure, roads, pollution, safety and the needs of current residents. This should be the first part of the review process, but it isn’t even part of the equation. Why? Resident comments are ignored during the planning process.

Why is corporate profit always put above the resident’s quality of life? This process is majorly broken, areas are being destroyed, and quality of life is suffering. There are several new development proposals for my area and other areas throughout metro. It isn’t too late for Louisville Metro government to make this right, but will they? If not, the purpose and vision statement should be bulldozed right along with trees.