[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6428879,"mediaKeyId","5893226-c63e611b19396e3bbb7aaa0e5344e829","parentId",5893226,"title","Council upholds planning commission denial of Piney Ridge Estates after residents cite flooding, drainage and sewer concerns","audioSeconds",1508,"startMs",1238000,"endMs",2746000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5893226-c63e611b19396e3bbb7aaa0e5344e829&start=1238&end=2746","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5893226-c63e611b19396e3bbb7aaa0e5344e829/thumbnail_1238000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6428879/St-Tammany-Parish/Louisiana/Council-upholds-planning-commission-denial-of-Piney-Ridge-Estates-after-residents-cite-flooding-drainage-and-sewer-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428879-d0e6c7f217dc9fafbcf623f0fff0a662/orig.mp4?Expires=1776002431&Signature=jhuFVa2KHkdnMOtOlbDrnwm83yTw2TJFu3-VlvCN7sqcESx54SLSBUFkuM0F9GNn-qKEHOTt5QwypLQlAFn8N13OGWlNz3U89kpeSsICSnMFaryj84zl~yjeFEhRRm3eq4ykHmjCz6PrOsvIkovGCoApnNACtbPmLqMCepnX5VhvGfM2cWgmXzbXaKavED7~htVwgr1EgSQc8Cwt7AW8ehJpatRCrecR~~bixzrhVkY~kphoIxwSKes~1w8Nmz-RMzezUGf0rEm7cxFKHhP5AhPPlBSRB6GKDZupXfd0bd~m9Veh7aLMxtFMp7N1P6vI0Oh6q4ApMQP0NYdKcFMf9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Tammany Parish, LA","date","2025-10-03T02:50:40Z","article","The St. Tammany Parish Council on Oct. 2 upheld a planning commission denial of the concept subdivision plan for Piney Ridge Estates, a proposed 150‑plus lot development west of Pen Mill Road and north of U.S. Highway 190 in Ward 3. The council voted 11–3 to concur with the planning commission’s denial, blocking the developer’s appeal to advance the plan to the next design stage.

Supporters of the developer, Precision Development LLC, told the council the concept plat meets the Unified Development Code’s standards, noting the developer intends to donate a 2.4–2.5 acre tract for public use, potentially for a fire station, and to coordinate required DOTD traffic improvements. Derek Deliquin of Precision Development said the project “meets and exceeds your UDC code in all aspects” and that the firm has worked with staff on traffic and drainage reviews.

Why the council’s decision matters: residents and river‑watch advocates urged the council to reject the appeal, arguing the subdivision places too many homes in flood‑prone areas, threatens wetlands and longleaf pine savanna habitat, and could worsen wastewater discharges into nearby streams. Several speakers detailed prior major floods in the area and cited concerns about Pruden Creek and the Tchefuncte River watershed.

Neighbors and environmental advocates pressed technical concerns during public comment. Christina Gould, a Pen Mill Road resident, said the site includes wetlands and a flood‑risk zone locally known as Lake Ramsey Preserve and Ramsey Savanna WMA, and urged the council to limit or reduce the scale of development. Matthew Allen of North Shore River Watch and other speakers questioned drainage capacity, the placement of homes relative to the flood plain, and the proposal to connect additional flow to the Pinmill Place wastewater treatment plant. Allen asked the council to require LDQ/LDEQ concurrence on any new or expanded sewage discharge before construction begins.

Council discussion focused on process and timing. Council member Katrina Casaubon said she met with planning staff and commissioners and believed the developer’s concept plan complied with the new UDC terminology (concept vs. preliminary/tentative). Casaubon moved to overturn planning’s denial so Precision could proceed to the next stage; that motion initially failed 9–5 because a two‑thirds majority was required to overturn. Council later voted to concur with the planning commission’s denial, 11–3.

Developer responses: Derek Deliquin said Magnolia Water Systems had provided a signed “will‑serve” letter and that Precision planned to add two cells to the existing Pinmill Place treatment plant and to upgrade associated infrastructure; he said engineering designs would be reviewed and approved by parish engineers and regulators before construction.

What the council voted on: the council considered an appeal of a planning commission denial of the Piney Ridge concept plat. After public comment and debate, the council first failed to overturn the denial (motion to overturn: 9 yays, 5 nays; two‑thirds required). A subsequent resolution to concur with the planning commission’s denial passed 11–3.

Next steps and context: because the council concurred with the planning commission decision, the developer must return to the drawing board with a materially revised plan if it wishes to proceed. Council members and staff indicated that drainage, traffic, wastewater capacity, and community meetings would be points of review for any future resubmission.

Ending: The council’s action preserves the planning commission’s judgment at this stage and leaves unresolved longer‑term questions about regional sewer service and drainage upgrades in the area; speakers urged the parish and the developer to coordinate further technical analysis and community outreach before resubmission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Tammany Parish Council Meeting : October 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","St. Tammany Parish Council sustained a planning commission denial of a 154‑lot Piney Ridge Estates concept subdivision near Pen Mill Road after neighbors raised flooding, habitat and wastewater concerns; the council voted 11–3 to concur with the denial following public testimony and debate.","taxTitle","St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana","taxId",4368,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6428871,"Parish president presents proposed 2026 operating and capital budgets; auditors report clean opinion on 2024 statements",762,401000,1163000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5893226-c63e611b19396e3bbb7aaa0e5344e829&start=401&end=1163","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5893226-c63e611b19396e3bbb7aaa0e5344e829/thumbnail_401000.jpg","/articles/6428871/St-Tammany-Parish/Louisiana/Parish-president-presents-proposed-2026-operating-and-capital-budgets-auditors-report-clean-opinion-on-2024-statements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428871-712369bf06e85a50497abfde85f2fbc0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776002431&Signature=DGiRgEx0GMpjhMJ0OdvUulybZqFIQntJyHt3cd3hTzCDwN2dkLUBjaPsBifqCXAzqkMr46GL1JHDRtRVHKPMfSrwiK2dXTQPiIEiACI5VG29HHt-yIZeFya6GvvQmI9n8Xf3gGSHzSevccQvAGMvR2Hbp8mP9U9Af5O-x00Ud18s3o6dutOVvmQklhqao6PIajFv9e4q6VPOeT79ROyFQ4EsWwmjii2ioM47gFD3~Zi7ilbMMXL0GL8vIxejrqP1qHVDHNqhoKHH75lBdTiut8fmo1qhqVugsYDV9gZiKatAYYt9CsBAfCrsr9jIn1T6bcQVveID93P0EXsW93TgEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parish President Michael B. Cooper presented the proposed 2026 operating and capital improvement budgets to the St. Tammany Parish Council during its Oct. 2 meeting and formally introduced two budget ordinances for council review. President Cooper said the budgets reflect fiscal responsibility, prioritized investments in infrastructure and resilience, and forward‑looking maintenance of parish services.

Key budget points presented: the proposed budgets allocate more than $53 million for roads, bridges and drainage projects; they continue investments in flood protection, stormwater management and coastal restoration; and they fund roughly 70% of 2025 funding levels for the district attorney’s office, the judiciary and the justice center — an acknowledged shortfall the administration said it is addressing through discussions with council leadership. Cooper thanked the finance department, led by Annie Perkins, and said the parish will hold public budget review meetings prior to adoption.

Council actions on introductions: Council member Cheryl Tanner moved to introduce Ordinance No. 7963 (2026 operating budget) and Ordinance No. 7964 (2026–2030 capital improvement budget); both motions were seconded and the ordinances were introduced for subsequent public review and formal adoption at a later date.

Independent audit: Lester Richew of LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors presented the independent auditors’ report on the parish’s 2024 financial statements. Richew reported an unmodified (clean) opinion and no material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting. He noted no reportable compliance exceptions related to federal funds and that the statewide agreed‑upon procedures report required by the state produced no exceptions. The auditor thanked parish finance staff for their cooperation in completing the audit.

Why it matters: the operating and capital budgets set policy priorities for infrastructure, resilience and public safety services and will be reviewed in public hearings before the council adopts them. The clean audit supports the parish’s financial reporting integrity and may affect bond ratings and borrowing capacity.

Ending: Council members set public budget review dates; the ordinances were introduced so the council can hold the required hearings and public review prior to adoption later in the budgeting calendar.","Parish President Michael B. Cooper presented proposed 2026 operating and capital budgets that prioritize infrastructure and resilience and allocate more than $53 million for roads, bridges and drainage; independent auditors issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the parish’s 2024 financial statements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6428876,"Council introduces amended ordinance to require triennial inspections of many on‑site sewage systems after lengthy debate",2060,4677000,6737000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5893226-c63e611b19396e3bbb7aaa0e5344e829&start=4677&end=6737","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5893226-c63e611b19396e3bbb7aaa0e5344e829/thumbnail_4677000.jpg","/articles/6428876/St-Tammany-Parish/Louisiana/Council-introduces-amended-ordinance-to-require-triennial-inspections-of-many-onsite-sewage-systems-after-lengthy-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428876-70f2e4a5c60513c6826f3868213698ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1776002431&Signature=XGsZU9-BW8uwnydEeuckQSjvCQBmFiQEqLi2ku-CMsltO~jslsGicGBbuoe9FLQwYcODDQeGFasKXsokov59oDN3VuD6aiOjKP4LKIrgshjMiB5zCCKHlEPtkgO9cLp~YROXpgQBV9JcFRKAPA5t7mY1jkSeINCQ~4fngY0jrkJ5WzoTY-pTqcpEgDWUb90fIzu1EZ4qi7q1FIGH01qHf7ArtwP72cUUJ9Efp2fQ3-a90TslW1L1sDkVjWHFVzgnr2lXfk5VWCrpkYlIZy8KtojO8YrCBmIx-1BWwwqtrIMUcrssZ831V8FrNGE6gPLQsJ2ADH8w~WC~FvAAVCkWbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Tammany Parish Council members introduced an amended ordinance Oct. 2 that would require triennial inspections and certificates of inspection for many on‑site wastewater systems (septic tanks and aerobic treatment units) in parts of the parish. The ordinance was the subject of extensive public comment, technical briefing and council amendment before being introduced for further consideration.

The proposed program focuses on areas below the parish urban growth boundary and would exempt larger rural parcels and properties with overland disposal on the owner’s property. Parish staff cited pilot program results showing failure rates in targeted neighborhoods and said regular inspections would reduce untreated discharges to ditches and waterways.

Public concerns and technical issues: more than a dozen residents and stakeholders spoke. Speakers for inspection requirements — including the Pontchartrain Conservancy and North Shore River Watch — pointed to local studies and pilot inspections that found high malfunction rates in some neighborhoods and linked failing systems to degraded water quality and mosquito problems. Christy Trail of the Pontchartrain Conservancy said targeted inspection programs previously raised compliance in the Abita River area from low levels to 85% compliance after follow‑up work.

Opponents raised cost, logistics and enforcement concerns. Residents and elected officials said the parish would need to scale up inspections (estimates ranged toward 10,000–12,000 inspections per year to cover the population) and asked how inspections and any required repairs would be funded. Some speakers — particularly from rural and retirement communities — warned about the financial hardship of repair or replacement and asked for stronger assurance of grant and low‑interest loan support. Several speakers said they would prefer targeted water‑quality testing first, rather than blanket inspections.

Changes made before introduction: Council member Kevin Corbin moved a substitute amendment that narrowed the geographic scope (below the urban growth boundary), added an education and public‑communication requirement for the Department of Environmental Services, reduced penalties and clarified timelines, and built in a program for low‑income reimbursement (HUD grant eligibility was noted during the discussion). The ordinance references a $313,000 EPA grant administered with the Pontchartrain Conservancy for monthly water sampling at up to 20 locations to monitor impacts and help prioritize neighborhoods.

Votes and outcome at the meeting: after debate, the council approved the Corbin substitute and introduced the ordinance for final adoption at a later meeting. The substitute passed on the council floor by a recorded vote (9 yays, 5 nays). Multiple subsequent motions to postpone or substitute alternate language failed. The matter will return for final adoption in accordance with the parish ordinance adoption timeline.

Why it matters: the parish contains a very high number of on‑site wastewater systems and several waterways listed as impaired; officials and advocates say inspections and corrective action are necessary to protect public health and water quality. Critics say the program as written could be burdensome, that funding and testing protocols should be clearer, and that the parish should continue to explore regional sewer alternatives.

Ending: The ordinance was introduced for further consideration; council members directed staff to continue outreach, refine implementation processes for inspection scheduling and low‑income assistance, and provide monthly reporting to the infrastructure committee.","After extended public comment and several amendments, the council introduced a substitute ordinance that would require triennial inspections and certificates for many on‑site wastewater systems below the parish urban growth boundary; the introduction passed amid debate over testing, enforcement, exemptions and funding.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6428868,"Council appoints Penny Petrie to Library Board after public lobbying and contested ballot",1175,2796000,3971000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5893226-c63e611b19396e3bbb7aaa0e5344e829&start=2796&end=3971","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5893226-c63e611b19396e3bbb7aaa0e5344e829/thumbnail_2796000.jpg","/articles/6428868/St-Tammany-Parish/Louisiana/Council-appoints-Penny-Petrie-to-Library-Board-after-public-lobbying-and-contested-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428868-ad48c942897dbaf91e09bf5a3656ce59/orig.mp4?Expires=1776002431&Signature=n7j1d75im3hBj8A9Pjw5y0laM~eLbgC~UirNbSz2~3MQGOLmrYNn7ikzyQtFeFxaJStpvHj9OuKMW~4u3zBvF01XU8NzBWEsgdYqTaqc14p6D9sMFxbQMzjy2H-M-6sMOzE00yI4rGso9IoXxznSK3YgaU-7HGkRmCyVX1FC~T5gcFRC1wUKuhBsRh-EFXIuWCH~JGHUIkvA3NNIqRMjvVxh1zuSuPtO6v--dNM7-MoYJ4kKdbHOjLCBXrI8mzRpbxXW9lyc4vMY8DBGN-CdSCahh-GVmrfnBg8n71N-hO6cZc0su-lV~8kAIdyBP4JuyjpQjUCQgphKvgi8-~YO~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Tammany Parish Council voted Oct. 2 to appoint Penny Petrie to the St. Tammany Parish Library Board of Control after a contested selection process that drew public speakers from both supporters and opponents of various nominees.

Selection process and public comment: the council considered three nominees to fill a vacancy: Penny Petrie, Cheryl Godwin and Lorraine Kinchin. Multiple members of the public spoke during a packed public comment period, urging the council to select a board member who would be nonpartisan, experienced in literacy and grant work, and broadly representative of the community. Supporters of Lorraine Kinchin emphasized her grant‑writing experience and nonprofit leadership; other speakers urged selection of a candidate perceived as apolitical. Support for Penny Petrie highlighted her background in the St. Tammany Parish school system and experience as a librarian.

Council balloting and outcome: the council took an internal ballot that produced nine votes for Penny Petrie, three votes for Lorraine Kinchin, and one vote for Cheryl Godwin. Following that tally, Council member Phillips moved a resolution to appoint Penny Petrie; the resolution passed unanimously on the formal vote.

Why this matters: the Library Board oversees a major parish cultural and educational resource and the appointment follows a period of public controversy over board governance. Speakers repeatedly asked the council to select a candidate who would put the library’s mission first and avoid politicization.

Ending: Council members thanked all nominees for submitting and encouraged cooperation as the board moves forward on library leadership and services.","Following public testimony and a council ballot, the council appointed Penny Petrie to the St. Tammany Parish Library Board of Control; Petrie received nine votes in the internal ballot and the subsequent formal resolution to appoint her passed unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council upholds planning commission denial of Piney Ridge Estates after residents cite flooding, drainage and sewer concerns

Parish president presents proposed 2026 operating and capital budgets; auditors report clean opinion on 2024 statements

Council introduces amended ordinance to require triennial inspections of many on‑site sewage systems after lengthy debate

Council appoints Penny Petrie to Library Board after public lobbying and contested ballot