Commission approves minor subdivision of former 11-acre lot after residents press drainage and use questions

The St. Tammany Parish Planning Commission approved a minor subdivision that divides an approximately 11.455-acre parcel into two pieces — a proposed 7.8-acre Lot A1 and a proposed 3.5-acre Lot A2 — after public questions about future uses and drainage. Owner Aaron Shipman told the commission he and his wife previously split 38 acres into four parcels and now want a different configuration for estate planning and use. The application requires a waiver because the proposed Lot A1’s frontage does not meet the L1 large-lot residential district minimum lot width of 150 feet. Richard Reno, who identified himself as president of his homeowners association and a resident of a neighboring subdivision on Vintage Drive, asked whether the new lots would be single-family, multi-family, apartments or other uses and whether increased construction would worsen long-standing drainage issues. Staff explained that a minor subdivision is a land division into up to five parcels and that, in this case, the applicant proposes one house per new parcel; guest houses are allowed under current rules. Reno also asked about an uncleaned ditch adjacent to the property. Staff and the applicant were asked to record the drainage concern for follow-up; commissioners approved the requested waiver and the subdivision, with Commissioner Seager moving to approve and Commissioner Truxillo seconding. The motion carried. The decision creates two buildable lots but does not approve specific building plans; each lot will still require drainage and building-permit reviews and must comply with any applicable covenants, road frontage, septic and stormwater standards.