Fashion Plantation residents fight
A group of Hahnville residents oppose the development of a subdivision they believe will destroy valuable wetlands that help limit flooding in their neighborhood.
More than 120 property owners in Fashion Plantation Estates’ Phases II and III have signed a petition asking the Army Corps of Engineers to deny Paradis-based developers RJM Enterprises a permit to construct a neighboorhood called Fashion Trace residential subdivision. The owner of RJM Enterprises is Dr. Ray Matherne, who is also planning to build the new development.
“We are definitely opposed to this,” Bobby Landeche, president of Fashion Plantation’s home owners association, said. “Our concerns are storm water runoff and drainage impact on existing infrastructure as a result of expansion to impervious surface area, incompatibility with adjacent residential neighborhoods and wildlife habitat, impact on natural areas, loss of open space, destruction of trees, lack of disclosure by Fashion Plantation Estates, LLC (RJM Enterprises) prior to purchase, de-valuation of property in adjacent residential neighborhoods, safety risks from increased traffic with special regard to children and noise pollution caused from Highway 3127.”
Landeche says he spoke to Parish President V. J. St. Pierre and was advised that RJM Enterprises is aware that the residents oppose this development.
“It’s nothing personal,” Landeche said. “I have known Mr. Matherne and Mr. (Paul) Hogan for over four years now and hold them in high regard. We just feel very strongly that this development will have a negative affect on the environment or our community.”
Hogan is an engineer for RJM Enterprises.
According to documentation obtained from the Corps, the proposed development will be located on 12.18 acres of land and 11.65 of those acres are considered wetlands.
“Phase III is closest to the proposed development,” Landeche said. “The development of the project is of great concern to us.”
Landeche says the subdivision flooded before both Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, even with the wetlands present.
“Pouring concrete over those wetlands is only going to make the problems worse,” he said. “There was heavy flooding in our community on Aug. 16 of this year and one of the homes did have water intrusion, but because the residence was vacant there was no claim filed.”
Landeche plans to continue to gather as much information as he can to oppose the project along with his neighbors.
“The comment period was extended for us to prepare documentation to present to the Corps,” he said. “We held an impromptu meeting in August and are ready to meet again.”
District 1 Councilman Billy Raymond says he is aware of the situation and his going to stay in contact with the residents in Fashion Plantation.
“I’ve already talked to planning and zoning and Mr. Landeche about the development coming,” he said. “I plan to keep the residents informed and let them know any new developments that come up concerning this project.”
Landeche says he was surprised at the amount of people that showed up to express their opposition of the development considering they were notified less than 24 hours prior.
“It was a very impressive display of unity and the intensity of our concern and opposition to the development of Fashion Trace.”
All of the residents at the meeting signed a petition against the subdivision.
Any comments received by the Corps will be used to determine whether or not a permit should be issued, modified or denied based on the proposed development. Comments from the residents will be used to assess the impacts on endangered species, water quality and general environmental impact.
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