Residents in district 6 of the St. Tammany Parish, which includes Talisheek, Sun, Bush, Waldheim and Pearl River, otherwise known as the Northeast Study Area, want to stay as they are — i.e. a rural community.

In a meeting of the area at Abita Springs Town Hall Monday night, about 70 residents asked St. Tammany Parish Councilwoman Rebecca Crawford-Howell why they couldn’t remain as they are — “the country.”

The parish’s comprehensive rezoning plan will create areas of smaller lot sizes, areas where mobile homes are not allowed, and restrictions in areas that have had little restrictions in the past. Crawford-Howell said that although there are changes in the area, the rural and mobile home overlays would allow some flexibility. Main changes in the area include the elimination of conditional use.

She said restrictions are needed because of growth and expected growth in the area. Existing mobile homes will be grandfathered in, but mobile homes must meet storm codes to be safe. “We are concerned with safety,” she said.

Originally the new code would have required mobile homes to be younger than two years old, but Crawford-Howell had that stricken from the new code due to the price of mobile homes. The parish does want the homes to be safe and meet storm codes.

Other property owners wondered why the parish is “trying to tell me what to do with my property.”

During the lengthy comprehensive plan process, most area residents had said they wanted to stay rural/agricultural and Crawford-Howell reiterated that they were attempting to please the consensus of the people.

For example, the rural overlay will allow horses. However, someone who builds a $400,000 home does not want a mobile home next door.

One resident said the map had changed from two-acre parcels to 1/2-acre parcels next to his property and he objected. Crawford-Howell told him to contact her to see if this could be amended or see why it was amended.

She said the parish council is voting on the area and anyone with any objections should come to the meeting and voice their concerns.

“There will be no more changes, except at the council level,” said Crawford-Howell.