[StBernard] public hearing on Meraux Tract

[Westley Annis]

Deborah,
 
Will the public be allowed to speak/comment on this proposed zoning change
at the Sept. 26 meeting, or was the Sept. 12 meeting the only time the
public could speak?
 
John
 
 
-----Original Message-----
At the Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, Sept 12, there was a large
turn out of the public to hear the applicant request a zoning change of 312
acres of the Meraux Foundation property from commercial to light industrial
with a conditional use for oil drilling (that's because oil drilling is
allowed in a heavy industrial but can be allowed in a light industrial as a
conditional use).
 
The oil company said they need 300 ft by 300 ft to do their work and if oil
is found, that is still the only area they intend to use. The Planning
Commission questioned why the application is for the whole 312 acres which
extends from St. Bernard Highway to the 40 Arpent Canal, excluding the
WalMart property and the Woodlands Subdivision. However, there was no one
from the  Meraux Foundation to address that question.  It was pointed out by
the planning commission that the Meraux Foundation could request to
subdivide this 300 foot by 300 foot parcel of land and then, once
subdivided, request for only that to be rezoned.No one from the Meraux
Foundation was able to address what the foundation's plans are for
developing the other 311 acres. 
 
There were several residents who spoke in opposition and one resident who
spoke in favor.
 
The item will come up for a planning commission vote on Sept 26 at 4pm, it's
next meeting. This meeting was held in the council trailer and probably the
meeting on Sept 26 will be held there, too, to accommodate the public.
 
At the meeting Councilman DiFatta said that the council could put
restrictions on the use of the property, once zoned light industrial, that
could address the uses of the other 311 acres.
 
According to parish ordinances and regulations, if the Planning Commission
denies approval of this zoning change, the applicant has the right to appeal
to the Parish Council which can then vote for the change or against it.  
 
Notices of the agenda of the Planning Commission are posted in the St.
Bernard Voice. In addition, zoning changes are posted there, too, and signs
on the property are placed in advance to notify the public. Also, all
adjacent property owners are mailed notices if there is an application
request for a change to a piece of property. 
 
I will discuss with the Planning Director, Gina Hayes,if the Planning
Commission's agenda can be posted on the www.sbpg.net <http://www.sbpg.net/>
since many do not
subscribe to the Voice and are not living in the parish  yet.
 
Deborah Keller
Planning Commissioner at Large East