ADM opposes new neighborhood in Destrehan

A rezoning request for a 30-lot subdivision drew opposition from ADM Growmark in Norco, but was approved by the St. Charles Parish Council on Monday.

The ordinance passed even as Councilwoman Wendy Benedetto abstained and Councilman Paul Hogan voting against the request.

The measure was aimed at changing the zoning classification from M-1/C-2 to R-1B on Tract 4-II-A-2A (6.27 acres), a 7,298 square-foot portion of a parcel designated as “The Whirlpool Property,” and a large portion of undesignated Tract C of Plantation Business Campus all totaling about 12.75 acres as requested by Paul Joey Murray III of Murray Architects of Destrehan and on behalf of P & L Investments IX.

The subdivision will be located 200 feet west of East Campus Drive in Destrehan.

ADM General Manager Mike Landry questioned putting a residential area near an industrial zone, saying it would likely create problems. He further raised concerns about the project potentially hindering ADM’s future expansion plans.

According to Landry, Parish President Larry Cochran had recently told existing area residents who complained about continual dust from ADM and neighboring Bunge grain elevators that the facilities pre-dated them and residents still chose to stay there.

But Murray said his purchase agreement would give buyers 10 days to evaluate the area, allowing them to withdraw with no penalty.

Hogan questioned why the parish’s Planning and Zoning Department recommended denial of the rezoning to parish’s Planning Commission, but it recommended approval to the council. He asked the council to reject the measure.

But Councilwoman Mary Clulee welcomed the development, adding there would be some buffer between the residential and industrial areas.

“I’m in favor of this,” Clulee said.

Councilman Dick Gibbs asked Landry for the last time ADM expanded.

Landry replied, “We continue to do improvements” about a facility built 1962. He said ADM wants to build a new dock like Bunge and again expressed concern the subdivision could hamper those plans.

Gibbs replied, “We need the economic development.”