Dispute remains on new Oak Harbor subdivision

BETSY VEACH

MANDEVILLE - Despite receiving staff approval, no final agreement was reached at the St. Tammany Parish Planning Commission meeting this week regarding Grand Champions subdivision, the proposed new development in Oak Harbor in Slidell. The tentative subdivision review for Grand Champions of Oak Harbor was once again tabled for 30 days at the meeting, and a public meeting will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. in Parish Council Chambers to allow for further discussion between Oak Harbor residents and Grand Champions developer Azalea Lakes Partnership. The issue of Grand Champions was first tabled at the Feb. 13 Planning Commission meeting. At a March 8 informational meeting sponsored by Councilman Joe "Coach" Thomas, Azalea Lakes representatives presented their plan to Oak Harbor residents, and residents voiced concerns regarding the plan. The main worry among homeowners was the possibility of the new development negatively affecting property values of Oak Harbor due to its smaller lot sizes and home size specifications. The recent Planning Commission meeting saw no change in residents' opinions of the possible subdivision. William "Bill" J. Jones, attorney for Azalea Lakes Partnership, opened the extended debate by reminding the commission of the PUD (Planned Unit Development) zoning in Oak Harbor approved in 1988. While the Oak Harbor PUD allows for five units per acre, only 3.15 units per acre will be developed in Grand Champions, said Jones. The average lot size in the development will be 50 feet by 70 feet, and the minimum home size will be 1,500 square feet. "We are way below the density permitted," Jones said. "In a tentative subdivision review, there are two questions to answer." Jones continued, "One, do we meet the zoning requirements? The answer is a clear, unrefutable, yes.' Two, do we meet subdivision regulations? Yes." Jones proceeded to give several examples of similar developments that have been successful, citing Terra Mariae in Covington and a development of condominiums in Mandeville's Beau Chene subdivision. "They work," he said, "and they have not caused a decrease in property values in the area." Azalea Lakes representative David Vey said, "The quality of the project will remain consistent with the standards already set in Oak Harbor." Vey then offered to meet with disgruntled residents in order to encourage some sort of agreement between the feuding parties. Thomas, in whose district the proposed subdivision will be developed, spoke on behalf of residents of the area. "People in Oak Harbor and Eden Isles do not want 50 by 150 foot lot sizes in the PUD," he said. "Long ago, these people were told they were buying a home in paradise. "Please don't be part of the group remembered for destroying paradise for everyone." President of Eden Isles Homeowners' Association, Dale Wood, followed Thomas with a plea to the commission to take the residents' concerns into account when making their decision. "It is very apparent area residents are not in favor of the project. The Louisiana Supreme Court (states) that public concern is of the utmost concern in zoning issues," Wood said. "We are not Terra Mariae. We are not Beau Chene. We are Eden Isles. We are Oak Harbor." Commissioner Wayne Collier recommended to once again table the issue, allowing for further discussion on the matter. "This is the first time tonight that the developers have begun to refine and disclose the particulars of their plan. Mr. Vey offered to meet with the residents. We should take him up on his offer," Collier said. Said Commissioner Martha Cazaubon, "before we agree to tabling, I want to be specific - what will we gain from tabling?" "Is the developer willing (to compromise) if the issues (concerning the residents) are larger lots?" she questioned. "I would like to charge the developer with larger lots." "Legally, you meet all of the PUD requirements, but can you do better?" she asked of Azalea Lakes developers. "There are a lot of financial questions we don't have answers to," said Planning Commission Chairman Emile Lombard. "You would just like to see the value of the units and land raised to a higher level?" he asked of attending Oak Harbor residents. "If we increase the value, is that the issue?" "I think the issue of lot size is worthy of discussion," responded Collier, who also mentioned a desire to further pursue the issue of home sizes in Grand Champions. "We will be glad to meet with homeowners and address these issues," conceded Vey. "We will look at a compromise. "I agree to the deferral." The motion to table was passed with a unanimous vote.