Will a new subdivision, proposed to be built along Interstate 12 and Jessikat Lane, be accepted by local residents?
A new subdivision of close to one hundred homes is set to be built in Madisonville and will be part of a development of 450 existing homes. Although there has been some opposition from residents in the area, the St. Tammany Parish Zoning Commission approved the groundwork with a vote 6-4 to rezone a part of the land from commercial to residential.
A new subdivision of close to one hundred homes is set to be built in Madisonville and will be part of a development of 450 existing homes. Although there has been some opposition from residents in the area, the St. Tammany Parish Zoning Commission approved the groundwork with a vote 6-4 to rezone a part of the land from commercial to residential.
The new homes will be built on 19 acres of undeveloped land close to Interstate 12 and Jessikat Lane that recently changed from being zone commercial to residential and 33 acres that are already zone residential. The land is owned by local home developer Paul LaGrange and is under contract to be purchased by Andrew Cahanin with DSLD Homes.
"Had the zoning not changed, the amount of traffic could have been extremely detrimental to the surrounding area. Generally, residential uses generate much less traffic than commercial in a more predictable pattern,” according to commissioner Patrick Fitzmorris.
Residents in the area are concerned because fifty of the existing homes and the new development will share a single access road to get in and out.
"When I look at this piece of property, it needs new access. It’s one way in and out. It’s completely unsatisfactory,” said commissioner Kenneth Ress.
DSDL says this will not be the case. The new home development will not be as dense as the other developments surrounding it. There will be only two homes per acre. There will be a plan to improve Jessikat Lane which is currently a gravel road that runs along the edge of what will be the new development and make it an access point to the new homes.
Residents do not agree because of the traffic backups already that are a hassle on a daily basis. The backups are caused by the narrow roads. Along with the bad traffic flow, flooding and drainage issues are also a battle. The boost in population will just add to both of these issues.
“This area is basically land-locked. Rex (Avenue) is maxxed out. I’ve been on it. And I dodged the kids and the very deep ditches on both sides. It’s a difficult decision at this point, because the access is just not appropriate for any development at this time,” replies commissioner Nelwyn McInnis.
DSLD's attorney Paul Mayronne says that the rezoning is just the first step in the process. There will be a traffic study and a hydrological analysis.
“You don't build a project until you can demonstrate the traffic and drainage will be appropriately handled," he said. "We believe we can do that, but we can’t prove it until the zoning change.
