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Residents urge council to revisit modular‑home rules, complain park closures and seek answers about downtown leasing
Summary
During public comment on Aug. 27, Terrebonne Parish residents asked the council to review permit rules after a structure resembling a mobile home appeared in a historic downtown neighborhood, complained that Randolph Park is being closed early and lacks restroom access, and sought information about a downtown building appraisal and leasing plans.
Several residents addressed the Terrebonne Parish Council on Aug. 27 with neighborhood complaints that touched on housing, parks and downtown economic development.
Karen Schilling of 511 Wilson Avenue told the council neighbors woke to find a structure placed in their historic downtown neighborhood that they believe resembles a mobile home. “We saw something moved into our neighborhood that looks like a mobile home,” Schilling said during the public comment period, and she asked the council to consider a moratorium on permits for such structures until the parish and residents can review definitions and ordinance language.
Harvey M. Chauvin, who lives at 214 Central Avenue, also spoke about the same placement. “You feel like y’all opening a Pandora’s box,” Chauvin said, urging the council to revisit the issue because residents fear a precedent that could affect property values.
Anthony Bruce (recorded address in transcript) raised two concerns about recreation management: he said Randolph Park has been closing at 7:15 p.m., earlier than other parish parks, and said volunteer coaches and parents lack restroom access for youth practices. Bruce requested the recreation district board be brought before the council for answers; the chair and a council member who represents the area offered to follow up after the meeting.
April Wallace, a public commenter who declined to give an address, asked whether an appraisal had been completed for a downtown building referred to in the meeting as the Whitney Bank property and pressed the council on whether lease opportunities would favor “family and friends” or be open to the public. Council members replied on the record: a council member said an appraisal had been ordered and that the appraisal process can run about three months; another council member offered to arrange a tour of the Whitney Bank building for Wallace.
Council responses and next steps
- The council chair said the recreation district representative for the park’s area would follow up with the speaker after the meeting and that the council member representing the area would contact the resident to discuss avenues for resolution.
- On the downtown appraisal and leasing questions, the council’s administration said the appraisal had been ordered and that the process typically runs about three months; staff said they would follow up with the commenter and that ongoing budget work has limited immediate responsiveness.
Nut graf: The public comment period highlighted neighborhood concern about the placement of a structure that residents believe may be a manufactured/modular unit in a historic district, frustration with park access and hours affecting youth activities, and questions about downtown property appraisals and leasing transparency. Council members pledged follow‑up through staff and offered to meet with residents and schedule further engagement.
Ending: The council made no immediate changes to ordinances at the meeting; residents asked the council to schedule review and to bring affected recreation district members and other administrative staff to future sessions for answers.
