ASCENSION PARISH - A moratorium on new development comes to an end next month. The parish council voted for it in June to give some time to study traffic and drainage issues.<\/p>\n
\"In 30 years, we have literally doubled in size with no new infrastructure,\" District 6 Parish Councilman Chase Melancon said.<\/p>\n
Since 2010, Ascension parish's population has grown by 2,000 people a year. The number of subdivisions and businesses have also grown wildly.<\/p>\n
\"We were allowing developments that did not make our community better but had effects on existing neighbors,\" Melancon said.<\/p>\n
Melancon says the parish's building codes are outdated. Eight months ago, a moratorium set in place paused new plans.<\/p>\n
Any developer who already had subdivided land or plans approved was still able to build during the moratorium, but the moratorium prevented anyone from subdividing land into new lots.<\/p>\n
\"We could have been allowing more development under the old codes which would cause more harm,\" Melancon said.<\/p>\n
Major rainfalls have caused homes to flood in the last several years. The recent studies were meant to help solve drainage issues.<\/p>\n
\"We need to ensure we're not just having runoff, but we are holding the water for the same amount of time that the vacant property held before there was a development,\" Melancon said.<\/p>\n
The new codes will be shown to the public during several open houses before the council votes on them.<\/p>\n
\"I think we'll have a red version. Existing and proposed, that way they can understand and ask questions,\" Melancon said.<\/p>\n
During the Parish Council meeting on the 18th, the council will vote on the traffic codes and introduce the drainage codes.<\/p>\n
The public will be allowed to voice their opinions, and the moratorium may be extended.<\/p>\n
Residents have three opportunities to see the codes:<\/p>\n
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Go here to read the rest: <\/p>\n
Developers in Ascension may soon get the green light to build - WBRZ<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ASCENSION PARISH - A moratorium on new development comes to an end next month. Continue reading