Bayou Liberty Association

The BLA is happy to advise that our Santa on the Bayou boat parade will float tonight exactly as planned.

The blessing of the fleet will take place at st Genevieve after the 4:00 mass. If you don't have another venue - this is the perfect place to watch the parade kick off and get a visit for your Little Believers from our wonderful Santa!

Everyone, have fun and stay safe. This is one of the best nights on Bayou Liberty!

Thank you for all who attended the DEQ meeting on Thursday evening. Protecting "our" bayou jewel goes on.

The LaDEQ is holding a public meeting to allow public comment on The Meadows Sewer Treatment Plant facility. The plant operators have applied for a permit renewal.

September 28. 6:00 Pm at the Slidell Auditorium.

Maison du Village is postponed.

Today we were advised by the attorney for the developer that they were tabling the proposal for an undetermined period of time. There is no need to appear at the planning commission meeting on April 11. Keep following this page. As new information becomes available we will post it.

IMPORTANT MEETINGS PROPOSED MAISON du VILLAGE
SUBDIVISION

89 slab-on-grade homesites on 39.22 acres
To be constructed off Sylve Road
behind Lake Castle Private School

If you have concerns about this development
YOU MUST ACT NOW
Sewer ~ Flooding ~ Traffic
The developer proposes to connect to the
Timber Ridge Sewage Treatment Plant
All ingress/egress on Sylve Road

IMPORTANT DATES
Community Meeting 03/30/2023 6:00 pm
The developer will explain their plans for the project and the community can present their concerns.

Parish Planning Meeting 04/11/2023 6:00 pm
The Parish Planning Commission will vote on the project

Both will be held at the Parish Council Chambers
21490 Koop Drive

Good morning:
This morning Paul Mayronne advised a community meeting has been set.
MAISON DU VILLAGECOMMUNITY MEETING
MARCH 30, 2023
6:00 PM
PARISH COUNCIL CHAMBERS
21490 KOOP DRIVE
ABITA SPRINGS
The community meeting is the opportunity to VOICE YOUR CONCERNS AND THOUGHTS on the proposed Maison du Village Development. Please attend and voice your concerns! Please share this information with other community members you believe will be impacted. We need to FILL the Chambers with concerned citizens!

This is what we currently know based on documents the developer has given to the Parish and meetings they have held with Parish representatives, with minor corrections based on a telephone conversation with the developer of which we have been made aware.
The owners secured a PUD Zoning on this 39-acre tract in February 2006 (5-months following Hurricane Katrina). As we understand, in 2006 (17 years ago) Planned Unit Developments were a stand-alone Zoning District. Today - PUDs are an overlay onto an existing Zoning Classification. The tract of land lies behind Lake Castle (preK-8th): west of Thompson Road, South of Hwy. 190, in District-11, Ward-9.
It is listed as 39.22-acres
Owner: Maison Du Village, LLC (Jeffrey A. Breland)
Developer: Mid South Developers, LLC
Sewer: Tied into Facilities used by Timber Ridge SubdivisionWater: appears it would be Bayou Liberty Water
89 (slab-on-grade) lots planned in 3-Phases
PUD was approved 2/2/2006 or 2/9/2006
Attorney: Paul Mayronne of Jones Fussell Law Firm, LLC of Covington, LA
Spokesperson: (this information is revised to Paul Mayronne, previous documents filed by the developer indicated Kevin Davis)
Prospective Builder: (this information is revised to unknown, but previously we were told DSLD).
All entrance/egress to the subdivision will be on Sylve Road. Many community members have already shared concerns about the traffic on Sylve, especially but not exclusively of during Lake Castle drop-off and pick-up times.

I welcome answering any questions you may have.

Maison du Village:

The owners secured a PUD Zoning on this 39-acre tract in February 2006 (5-months following Hurricane Katrina). As we understand, in 2006 (17 years ago) Planned Unit Developments were a stand-alone Zoning District. Today - PUDs are an overlay onto an existing Zoning Classification.



The Project appears on the Planning Agenda (2022-2903-PP) March 14, 2023.
The tract of land lies behind Lake Castle (preK-8th): west of Thompson Road, South of Hwy. 190, in District-11, Ward-9.

It is listed as 39.22-acres
Owner: Maison Du Village, LLC (Jeffrey A. Breland)
Developer: Mid South Developers, LLC
Sewer: Tied into Facilities used by Timber Ridge Subdivision

Water: appears it would be Bayou Liberty Water
89 (slab-on-grade) lots planned in 3-Phases
PUD was approved 2/2/2006 or 2/9/2006
Attorney: Paul Mayronne of Jones Fussell Law Firm, LLC of Covington, LA
Spokesperson: Kevin Davis
Prospective Builder: DSLD

We have petitioned Mr. Mayronne and the Brelands to host an open community meeting at which the public can become more informed on this project. We understand that on Tuesday the 8th, Mr. Mayronne will ask the Planning Commission Chairperson to postpone their hearing and set a community meeting date. If this follows previous formats, it will be held at the Parish Council Chambers on Koop Drive, date, and time to be determined.



If you know a method to connect with residents of Ozone Woods (the bird streets) and Timber Ridge Subdivision please provide me with the contact info and I will notify them. I have been unable to find any formal community HOA group for either subdivision.

Re: March 3, 2022 Parish Council Meeting
21490 Koop Drive, Council Chambers
6:00 PM (arrive early)

Two major topics will surface during the council meeting this Thursday.
Please try to attend this upcoming session. We ask that you voice your opposition to the rezoning of the Honeybee property, and express support for the Cooper/Davis Moratorium.

The Moratorium appears as item 1 under "Ordinances For Introduction". This only represents an introduction of the Moratorium. The council may open the floor for comments. There will be no voting until next month (April).

Honeybee's Appeals are listed as numbers 3 and 4 under “Appeals”. We ask that you phone and email each member of the council regarding your opposition to the appeals.

Upon arrival, please fill out the speaker-cards and express your position (for or against). You may elect or decline to speak. If you check the box to speak, and your speaking points have been expressed by another, you may decline and state you concur with a previous speaker.

St. Tammany Parish invites your feedback on the New Directions 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the Future Land Use Map during the public comment period, which has been extended until April 1, 2022.

The draft Future Land Use Map is located on an online platform where you can leave a comment directly on the map. Click the Comment Icon at the top of the screen, drag and drop it on the location where you would like to make a comment. Your comments will help ensure the Future Land Use Map reflects your vision for St. Tammany Parish!

The draft plan, draft future land use map and comment form for the plan are all accessible online at NewDirections2040.com.

Paper copies of the draft plan and map are also available during open hours at the St. Tammany Parish Planning and Development Department Office (21454 Koop Drive, Building B, Ste. 1B Mandeville, LA 70471) and the following St. Tammany Parish

Honeybee
Many of us attended the STPC Meeting on 2/3/22. Jeff Schoen, attorney for the developer, formally requested and received a postponement of his appeal until the March 3 Council meeting. Chairman Jerry Binder explicitly advised all parties that, without fail, this appeal will be heard at their next regular session. Mark Bryan requested a show of hands for those opposed to the Honeybee rezoning. Roughly half the audience raised their hands. Remarkably, the inclement conditions for that evening included rain, wind, and uncomfortable chilly circumstances.

We recognize and thank those who previously mailed letters to each member of the council and to Ross Liner (Director of Planning). Please verbally, by phone or in person, reiterate your position to each councilperson and particularly with those whom you know. Also, forward an electronic copy of your opposition letter to each councilperson 10-days prior to the March 3 Council Meeting. That target date falls on or near February 21. Included below is a file containing their respective contact info.

Be cognizant that a threatening, alternate plot-plan recently surfaced that suggests how this property would appear should it be developed with its current TND-2 Zoning. Rest assured, we remain fully aware of this intimidating tactic and will deal with it as the need arises.

Moratorium
Most know of President Mike Cooper and Councilman Jimmie Davis’ parish-wide moratorium proposal. It will be introduced at the March 3 Council Meeting. Unless a special session is convened, we assume that the parish-wide moratorium will be formally discussed and voted on at the subsequent April meeting. We fully support the suspension of the current untoward hyperdense development juggernaut existing in St. Tammany Parish.

Updated information on the proposed moratorium.

President Mike Cooper has provided an update on his proposed parish wide Moratorium on Density, which introduction of ordinance has been delayed to the March 3 Council meeting. In early January, Cooper stated that the ordinance was expected to be introduced at the February 3 Parish Council meeting, before being considered for adoption at the March 3 Council meeting.

“We are planning and investing for the future of St. Tammany, with regard to development, drainage, transportation, wetlands and overall growth, but we must first limit high density residential applications to accurately assess and plan,” said Cooper. “The reality in St. Tammany Parish is that development is outpacing infrastructure improvements and has been for years.”

President Cooper submitted the proposed ‘Zoning Density Moratorium’ ordinance to the Parish Council Office in a proper and timely manner for placement on the agenda of the February 3 Regular Meeting. However, Council Chairman Jerry Binder, with the approval of Ordinance Sponsor Jimmie Davis, removed the item because of the large number of zoning appeals scheduled.

“Because our Council meeting on February 3 has an agenda that includes nine appeals and 30 ordinances for adoption, it is more than likely to be a crowded and very long Council meeting,” said Binder, in an email to councilmembers. “Having said that, I believe adding the ordinance regarding the parish wide moratorium to the February 3 Council meeting agenda will significantly increase both attendance and the length of an already long meeting.”

According to the email message, Binder did consider calling a Special Council meeting on February 10, but was not able to guarantee a quorum, citing that the ordinance for introduction pertaining to the moratorium will be placed on the March 3 Council agenda.

The moratorium, while in effect, would restrict applications for rezoning or resubdivision of properties to densities greater than one (1) unit per acre. The moratorium does not apply to property zoned for commercial uses, does not prohibit the issuance of building permits in any zoning classification, and allows for development of property under its current zoning classification.

To view the proposed Zoning Density Moratorium ordinance, please click here: http://www.stpgov.org/files/Council/Ordinances/2022/January2022/Ordinance_9_2.pdf.

The New Directions 2040 Draft Comprehensive Plan is available.

New Directions 2040 is the St Tammany Parish initiative to update and consolidate land zoning classifications throughout unincorporated St Tammany Parish.

You can download a copy of the draft and make comments and suggestions at the website. Comments and suggestions will be taken until February 25, 2022.

www.newdirections2040.com

New Directions 2040 Join Us for an Informational Public Hearing on January 26th, 2022St. Tammany Parish Government invites you to participate in the update of the Parish Comprehensive Plan, which will guide development for the next twenty years.The public hearing will introduce the draft Comprehensive plan, invite feed...

Want to provide feedback on the future of St. Tammany Parish?

St. Tammany Parish Government invites you to participate in the update of the Parish Comprehensive Plan, tomorrow, January 26, 2022.

New directions 2040 will guide development in our Parish for the next twenty years.

The public hearing will introduce the draft Comprehensive plan, invite feedback and kick off a 30-day public comment period.
The public hearing will consist of an “open house” style workshop starting at 4:30 p.m., followed by a presentation at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be in-person with a virtual option for the presentation.

St. Tammany Parish unveils the long-awaited steering documents for the New Directions 2040. This Comprehensive Rezoning Plan and Future Land Use Map (FLUM) will be disclosed at a public meeting on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. Everyone is invited to attend.

Wednesday, January 26, 2022
4:30 - 6:30 pm
Council Chambers

Please note - anticipate COVID protocols will be enforced.

While I acknowledge the proposal is not perfect, it addresses many of the issues you requested I bring before the steering committee. We are hopeful the Parish Administration and Parish Council will seek to adopt the plan to give the Parish Planning Department and many stakeholders long-range guidance in proposed land development. The New Directions 2040 plan is only one of many initiatives underway to help provide realistic and sustainable growth for St. Tammany Parish.

Please attend the meeting and voice your opinions.

St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper proposed a parishwide moratorium on rezoning parcels to restrict increasing density for residential development.

The ordinance would restrict applications for rezoning of properties to densities greater than one (1) unit per acre.

“One of my top priorities is addressing traffic and critical infrastructure, which will provide a better quality of life, in the near future and long-term,” said Cooper. “We are finalizing and implementing sustainable plans focused on development, drainage, transportation, wetlands and overall growth. We must limit high-density residential applications in order to accurately plan, address the glaring needs and preserve the quality of life that we are accustomed to in St. Tammany Parish.”

The ordinance is expected to be introduced at the February 3 Parish Council meeting, before being considered for adoption at the March 3 meeting. The proposed moratorium, which would be in effect for six (6) months after adoption, can be viewed here.

St. Tammany Parish Government is currently conducting multiple studies and drafting long-range plans in order to accommodate growth including, revisions to the Unified Development Code (UDC), updates to the St. Tammany Parish Comprehensive Plan (New Directions 2040), development of the parishwide Comprehensive Drainage Plan, development of a parishwide Comprehensive Transportation Plan, development of a Parish Wetlands Plan, and development of a Sustainable Growth Pilot Study.

Development of property which has already been approved by the Parish Department of Planning & Development will not be affected.

Upon adoption, any requests to rezone any property or parcel to residential zoning shall be limited to densities of no greater than A-2, resulting in no greater density than one (1) unit per acre.

In addition to applications for traditional zoning changes, the moratorium shall likewise apply to applications for PUD Planned Unit Development Overlays, TND-1 Traditional Neighborhood Development Zoning Districts, and TND-2 Traditional Neighborhood Development Zoning Districts. The moratorium does not apply to property zoned for nonresidential uses and does not apply to the issuance of building permits in any zoning classification.

A few on-shore festivities

More pictures from our beloved Santa on the Bayou.

The beautiful and delicate Bayou Liberty Watershed received another much-needed step toward protection tonight.

The City of Slidell Planning Commission voted overwhelmingly to recommend that the City Council not annex the proposed Liberty Bluff property
Immediately after adjourning the Planning Commission meeting, the Zoning Commission meeting commenced. Unanimously, the City Zoning Commission voted to recommend to the City Council provisional zoning not to exceed the City A-1 zoning for the property should it become annexed into the City.

The community members who attended the meeting spoke articulately and passionately to protect the watershed, the existing property owners, all future potential property owners, and the entire community from the impacts on drainage, traffic, flooding, over-crowding in schools, lack of supporting infrastructure, and pollution when developers continue to place high-density developments in sensitive areas.

The battles are not over. The community must continue to voice concerns to local and parish officials to protect our quality of life.

Tonight the Parish Zoning Commission voted to DENY the rezoning on Hneybee Development. More information coming this is not over.