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Neighbors and fire officials oppose Seventh District Pavilion rezoning; board records 10‑1 vote against rezoning and defers related items
Summary
A proposed 118‑lot Pavilion Acres subdivision prompted strong opposition over drainage, water supply and fire protection; the planning board recorded 10 votes against and 1 for rezoning and deferred related variance and plat items to the Police Jury for further review.
Seventh District Pavilion sought rezoning of roughly 113–140 acres off McAllen Road to permit a 118‑lot residential subdivision (Pavilion Acres). Byron Rock of Meyer & Associates presented a phased plan and said lots were sized to meet parish minimums and that the development would proceed over several years under a USDA‑linked affordability program. Owner Daizeta Thorne told the board the project would provide homes to families using a sweat‑equity model and USDA lending.
Multiple neighbors and local officials strongly opposed rezoning at the rural site. Russell Moss, whose property adjoins the tract, cited drainage and density concerns and questioned whether the land could be drained effectively if developed into so many lots. "Where are we gonna drain all this water?" he asked, urging a drainage study. Eric Van Winkle, representing the Manchester Fire Department, expressed fire‑protection concerns: the proposed subdivision would be over a mile from the nearest hydrant and would require shuttling water for a structure fire, complicating emergency response.
Board discussion emphasized infrastructure questions: lack of municipal water, potential sewer capacity limits for many on‑site septic systems, road length variances and compatibility with surrounding agricultural uses. After motions and an electronic vote on the rezoning (item 20), the board recorded 10 votes against and one for. Counsel advised that follow‑up items (the road variance and preliminary plat) be deferred; the board moved and approved deferral of items 21 and 22 and indicated the matters will return to the Police Jury on Thursday for further consideration.
The board’s action rejected the requested rezoning at this meeting but did not permanently bar revised proposals; staff and opponents flagged key technical issues — drainage, water supply, fire access and sewer capacity — that any revised plan would need to address before approval.
