The New Iberia City Council on Tuesday approved preliminary subdivision approval for the 48.65-acre Tesh Haven residential development and took initial steps to annex and rezone adjoining property. Council members introduced related ordinances and a petition to publish notice of annexation for an adjacent 13.18-acre tract.

Council members said the project, recommended by the city planning commission, aims to add for-sale housing in the city. Councilman Dan Dahl moved the subdivision approval, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Timothy Gosselin; the council then voted to approve the preliminary subdivision motion. "I applaud you for helping make this happen," Councilwoman (name as on record) said, noting the project could help keep young families in the city. The council also adopted a substitute motion adding a requirement that ingress and egress design features be approved prior to final subdivision approval.

Developer Michael McClain (present at the meeting) described the plan as a long-term investment, saying, "we think this is a start of maybe a 5 to 7 year plan for us" and that the development will include underground utilities, curb-and-gutter streets, enclosed garages and a common area. McClain said house sizes will generally range from about 1,800 to 2,500 square feet and that price points are expected to be roughly in the $250,000 to $350,000 range depending on plan and size.

Council discussion included utilities and infrastructure. Staff said sewer extensions will be required and are budgeted; water supply is provided by LAKCO and electric service by Cleco. Council members noted the developer agreed to work with neighbors and the city on traffic access points; final approval will follow demonstration that ingress/egress concerns are resolved. Property ownership history was noted: council members said the LaSalle family has held the land for years and that the annexation would bring that portion of the property into City District 6.

The council also introduced (set for public hearing) an ordinance to enlarge city boundaries and an ordinance to rezone the Tesh Haven acreage from O-1 (open land) to R-1 (residential); both measures were described as contingent on the annexation and will return for final votes. The council heard that final subdivision approval will not occur until required infrastructure and ingress/egress conditions are met.

Votes on the motions were taken by electronic voting machines. No final sale, permit or home-count figures were adopted at the meeting; the developer and council described timelines as multi-year and contingent on infrastructure work and market conditions.