Oak Harbor East property possible for city annexation

SLIDELL - The owner of 3,000 acres of land east of Interstate 10 near Lake Pontchartrain is considering requesting annexation in return for water and sewer services from the City of Slidell.

Robert Torres, owner of International Marine, Inc. in New Orleans, said Tuesday that he is considering a number of options, including annexation. He declined further elaboration, saying he would announce his decision in the near future.

The prospect of annexation, although just a consideration at this stage, could have far reaching implications with possibilities of major residential and commercial development on that valuable property.

City Planner Martin Bruno deferred comment until an official request has been made by Torres and company.

The city already provides water and sewer approximately a mile away to the Slidell Factory Stores on Old Spanish Trail. But other options for similar services exist with Coast Waterworks in Oak Harbor, Louisiana Water Service Inc. and the St. Tammany Parish Environmental Services Commission.

Parish Police Juror Kevin Davis said from a "pure business standpoint," seeking city annexation makes sense.

"A developer of that magnitude might want to consider sewer and water from the city," Davis said. "It's probably less expensive. I really don't have a problem with (the city) annexing anything."

The downside, again from a business point of view, is that annexation by Slidell will mean that developed property will not be exempt from city property tax.

"They are not homestead exempt," Davis said. "While they own the property, they won't be exempted from city taxes."

According to Davis, sales taxes collected on any commercial property currently zoned by the parish and annexed into the city will be split evenly between the two governments.

According to public records, B.P. Oil purchased a lot from Torres for an estimated $520,000 for the site's first gas station and convenience store.

Other estimates are that the commercial property alone could bring millions to Torres, who purchased the 3,000 acres from Bill Garrett last year for $3.8 million.

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