Community in Louisville's east end trying to form new city in Jefferson County

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A community in Jefferson County's east end is trying to separate itself from Metro Louisville and operate similar to Middletown or Prospect.

The proposed City of Eastwood would include at least 32 neighborhoods with HOA's starting near Valhalla and go up to the county line near Long Run Park and down to sections of Taylorsville Road.

The city of Eastwood could operate on a more than $5 million budget annually, according to Bob Federico, chair of the Eastwood Incorporation Committee. The committee said the average home priced between $300,000 and $500,000 would pay between $400 and $700 in additional taxes each year.

On Tuesday, organizers hosted a community meeting to share details about the plans. Organizers said it would slightly increase taxes, but give them more control on developments in the area, create its own public works department and police department.

"We had home invasion in 2020, we were home and a guy came through the window," Gigi Hensel said. "He didn't care and it took police, God I know they're busy, but it took them 22 minutes to come to our home."

Safety is one of the main reasons people are supporting the idea of the City of Eastwood. Eastwood Incorporation Committee said the police would augment the current LMPD services to provide more protection.

"We want people to know when you come into the city of Eastwood we have a police department looking out for us," Federico said.

Not everyone in the area is on board with the plan. There are signs along Shelbyville Road near Valhalla that oppose the annexation.

The signs read, "Don't Sign Up for the east End Tax." A website has also been created that calls it a "sneaky scheme."

In a previously released statement, the city of Louisville said it doesn't support the proposal.

The Mayor's Office provided a statement: "Further dividing the city will only create more overlap, more confusion, and more taxes and will also make it more difficult for Metro Government to deliver much needed services to every part of Louisville."

Federico estimates Metro Government would lose about $2 million if the plan goes through.

State law requires 66% of people living within the proposed city limits to sign a petition. Federico says that's about 7,000 signatures. Supporters are circulating petitions and hosting public meetings.

Along with a police department, Eastwood could also provide its own trash services and public works.

"I think if people would just come to a meeting they would know this is something that is good for us," Hensel said.

For more information on the City of Eastwood, click here.

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