[StBernard] landuse changes and the not so SMART code

[Westley Annis]

There is an illegal trailer park STILL between Lena and Corinne Drives.  The
TWO cease and desist from Feb 2007 and Oct 2007 have NOT been enforced due
to Mr Rodriquez's decisions --  Despite the fact that this business is
operating without a business license, electrical permit, proper zoning,
drainage or plumbing.  Wonder if they are reporting the income to the tax
collection department of the SBSO or to the IRS and State Revenue?  

The Sheriff's office has been called so so many times about the trespassing
into backyards, the noise and lights of the equipment trucks parking so very
close to the backyards of the homes on Corinne Drive and heavy over tonnage
equipment trucks on the residential streets.  Their only response now is to
tell us it is a civil matter.  Seems more like a good old political boy
matter to us.  

With the recent MURDERS, drugs  and other crimes in the trailer parks, we
are certain this trailer park would be no different and would be a burden on
our sheriff's dept (if they would respond).  It would definitely increase
crime in our neighborhood.

We have complained in person so many times to the parish complaint
department, people think we work there.

Please donot think because we have stopped wasting our time "complaining"
that there are no complainants.  If this property owner were held to the
current law, he would be shut down until he could apply for a zoning change
or a conditional use for his R1 property.  At public hearings at both the
Planning Commission and Council Meeting residents could voice their support
or opposition.  Of course family members would support and other residents
would oppose.  Unfortunately, residents who are intimidated by this
political machine would stay out of this matter. 

If St Bernard Parish were to adopt the SMART Code, these public hearings
would be none existent and the political appointments to the Planning
Commission could approve such variances without public input.  It is our
understanding that this would have occurred with a casino/truck stop further
east on Judge Perez by St Bernard High School.


We do not want a trailer park in our neighborhood any more than we want a
refinery facility expansion on Jacob and Despaux Drives or to give up our
Fire Protection Level to the refinery expansion.

This property owner most likely will continue until the powers that be press
him to comply with the cease and desist or until residents join together to
hire an attorney (who is immune to this political circle (circus ?))and hope
that a St Bernard Judge would uphold the cease and desist.

Its a very sad situation that has occurred over and over throughout the
parish with political families who think they are above the law. 

Perhaps the property owner would apply for a conditional landuse of his R1
property to continue this transient/migrant worker's RV unit rental park
(trailer park) that he started without a business license, electrical
permit, zoning or other such applications. He has 24 slots setup from left
over FEMA steps, plumbing and electrical equipment.  We donot know if he has
reported his income from this illegal business to the sheriff dept for tax
collection or to the IRS. 

What we do know is that he has stated over and over that he intends to "set
a precedent" and have a permanent trailer park on his R1 property.


We know what needs to be done November 17th.  Lets do it.

SJK