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Council grants variances for Cutoff land division despite fire-hydrant proximity concerns
Summary
The Lafourche Parish Council granted two variances related to a Cutoff land division: a narrower frontage (25 ft to 15 ft) and a fire-hydrant proximity waiver; the hydrant variance passed 6–2 and the frontage variance passed unanimously (8–0, 1 absent). Planning staff and fire-district representatives explained potential risks if a new structure is built on the affected lot.
Jessica Delon addressed the council to request two variances for a proposed Jessica Delone division on East 58th Street in Cutoff. She said her property has existed for years and that mapping discrepancies left her lot off parish maps despite tax bills and 911 records. She asked the council to grant a variance because her driveway/access point is not within 500 feet of a fire hydrant and because the lot frontage measures 15 feet, not the 25 feet required by current subdivision regulations.
David Poisson of the Parish Planning Department confirmed that current regulations require a fire hydrant within 500 feet of a newly created lot. He and others noted that if someone were to build on the currently empty lot, that distance could create problems for firefighting operations, though the district’s fire chief indicated practical options (such as pumping from the bayou or using nearby hydrants). Planning recommended against the hydrant variance at its Aug. 27 meeting, but councilmembers weighed local circumstances and precedent.
The council voted on the two items: the variance from the 500-foot hydrant requirement (Ordinance 3) passed with a recorded vote of 6 yeas and 2 nays (one absence noted: Councilman Adams). The variance reducing required road frontage from 25 feet to 15 feet (Ordinance 4) passed 8 yeas, 0 nays (1 absent).
Council discussion emphasized fairness and the need for consistent application of rules; members noted the number of similar cases across the parish and said a broader regulatory review might be appropriate. The planning department and the fire district will continue to be involved in clarifying access and safety if development proceeds on the lot.
Next steps: The variances take effect as approved; if construction occurs, planning and fire officials will review site access and firefighting options.
