St. Rose residents oppose townhome project

In Vicki Smith’s front yard is a sign stating, “Councilwoman Marilyn Bellock, stand with your neighbors. NO Townhomes.”

Smith, along with an estimated 50 neighbors on Riverview Drive in St. Rose, attended the Planning Commission July  meeting to oppose issuing D Luxe LLC’s request for a special permit to build four townhomes on Riverview Drive.

Commissioners voted 4 to 3 to grant the request, which requires final approval by the St. Charles Parish Council.

The item will come up at the July 1 meeting.

Planning Director Michael Albert said it is D Luxe’s second request for the permit, which the commission earlier denied. Albert said there is no limit to resubmitting these applications.

Smith, who presented an 84-signature petition, said they were again opposing the move because it will devalue their predominately single-family dwelling community.

Small commercial or home-based businesses can currently locate in their area, including providing space for parking, Smith said. Although the area is mostly residential it is zoned for light commercial use, which she said they’ve coexisted with for years without issue.

In April, D Luxe owner Kenneth Martin bought a nearly one acre lot and went to the Planning Commission for the special use that would allow construction of the townhomes.

[pullquote]“This lot isn’t that big.”  — Vicki Smith[/pullquote]

“This lot isn’t that big,” Smith said of a project proposed across the street from her residence.

By April 4, D Luxe along with opposition from the neighborhood went to the Planning Commission meeting. The measure died.

Signs posted in the Smith’s yard opposing the construction of townhomes in their community in St. Rose.

Two months later, Smith said Martin reapplied for the permit.

“It doesn’t fit the neighborhood,” Smith said. “It will bring our property value down, cause crime, drainage issues and congestion as you come off River Road and more. This is a single family residence and it has been that way for umpteen years now.”

On Memorial Day, however, the situation apparently escalated to where Martin allegedly removed some of the residents’ signs advertising the Planning Commission meeting. Smith maintained Martin refused to return them.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene and deputies advised residents to put the signs on the side of the road opposite Martin’s property.

Neither Bellock nor Martin have responded to the Herald-Guide’s request for comment.

D Luxe Townhomes

  • D Luxe LLC request for special use permit to build townhomes is denied.
  • St. Rose residents present petition with 84 signatures opposing the project.
  • Planning and Zoning Department notifies residents D Luxe is reapplying for the permit, which will be decided at the Planning Commission meeting June 6 at 7 p.m.

 

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