Betsy Veach

SLIDELL nn A standing-room only crowd was in attendance at Thursday night's Oak Harbor/Lakeshore neighbors meeting held at Crazy Carl's Fireworks by Councilman Joe "Coach" Thomas. "This is an informational meeting, not a lynching committee," said Thomas at the meeting's opening. The purpose of the meeting was to present a proposed new development known as Grand Champions subdivision to area residents before it is up for vote at the next parish planning meeting. So far, reaction to the proposed subdivision has been extremely negative, and Thursday night's meeting was no different. Amid frequent angry interjections from Oak Harbor residents, attorney William "Bill" Jones began the presentation of the development by explaining the situation surrounding Oak Harbor as a Planned Unit Development (PUD). The Oak Harbor PUD was approved in 1988, according to Jones, consists of approximately 1,200 acres, and provides for uses varying from single family residential to commercial. The PUD density for residential areas provides for three to five units per gross acre, although in most past cases, far fewer units per acre have been developed, he said. "The density allowed under the PUD has never been used," said Jones. Described as a subdivision of "garden homes," Grand Champions will contain 50 to 150 foot lots, developing three units per acre. "Each lot fronts either on a lake or a golf course fairway," said Jones. "This is extremely unique for lots of this size. Homes in Grand Champions are estimated to cost around $180,000, and lot prices will be in the $30,000 and $40,000 range. Worries were expressed by Oak Harbor residents concerning the proposed size of the lots in Grand Champions, and the potential the new subdivision might have to negatively affect property values in Oak Harbor. Several residents voiced anger at not being informed of the PUD prior to purchasing property in Oak Harbor, questioning whether the PUD could be changed. "The PUD is a matter of law," said Planning Commission Member Wayne Collier, also in attendance at the meeting. "Lot size dimensions are not an element subject to parish review. They (Azalea Lakes Partnership) are presenting a plan. We (planning commission) have a limited capacity and authority to review that plan." Collier reminded those in attendance that the planning commission only has three choices concerning the proposed development: approve, deny, or move to table the issue. Grand Champions will be presented and voted on this Tuesday at the 5 p.m. Planning Commission meeting at the Koop Drive Complex in Mandeville.