Ricky John Bergeron
June 2, 2008June movie releases
June 4, 2008
The Terrebonne Parish Council recently approved two ordinances dividing the proposed new 12-acre Captain’s Court subdivision near the intersection of Savanne Road and Louisiana Highway 311 into two different commercial zoning districts, despite objections from nearby residents.
The portion fronting Savanne Road was zoned neighborhood commercial, which permits the opening of retail goods stores like car washes and day-care centers serving the daily needs of the surrounding neighborhood. The section south of that was zoned the more restrictive light commercial, allowing the construction of offices and specialty merchandise shops.
Residents living near the proposed subdivision told the council in April they wanted the subdivision zoned entirely light commercial, even though that designation could hurt Captain’s Court developer Fred Casey financially. A neighborhood commercial designation would hurt their property values, they said.
“We’ll see bright lights,” one resident said. “There won’t be anything between me and them. There are 65 neighboring homes. It affects their values, their children.”
Another resident said he would have trouble selling his property if mechanics’ repair shops are located nearby.
Casey told the council he needs to construct a retention pond to serve the subdivision because draining the subdivision would be cost-prohibitive. The resident complained that the pond would pose a danger to children. She also said she had been told the subdivision would be zoned light commercial.
In September, the parish council passed an ordinance placing the burgeoning La. 311 corridor under new zoning laws. Before Wednesday, the proposed Captain’s Court subdivision contained three different zoning districts.
In December, the Houma-Terrebonne Regional Planning Commission approved zoning the Captain’s Court subdivision entirely as light commercial. However, engineer David Waitz submitted plans in January dividing the property into neighborhood and light commercial districts, according to Terrebonne Parish Planning and Zoning Director Pat Gordon. The new subdivision plans gained the commission’s approval.
“The planning commission covered both bases,” Gordon said.
Terrebonne Parish Councilwoman Teri Cavalier told Gordon the residents “should not have to put up with two different zones,” but only Councilmen Pete Lambert, Joey Cehan and Leland Robichaux voted against separating the subdivision into two zoning districts.
The Captain’s Court subdivision behind Crescent Carwash and South Louisiana Bank on La. Hwy. 311 will be split into two different commercial zoning districts, despite objections from nearby residents. * Photo by KEYON JEFF
