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Creole Nature Trail seeks variance to build ground‑level restrooms on donated Holly Beach parcel
Summary
The Creole Nature Trail board requests a variance so a publicly accessible two‑stall restroom can be built at ground level on a donated Holly Beach parcel; staff said federal/state grant terms allow variances in qualifying public‑benefit cases and the jury must decide whether to proceed with permitting or allow the grantee to move funding elsewhere.
Staff briefed the jury on a partnered project with the Creole Nature Trail to construct public restrooms along the Trail and asked the jury to consider granting a variance so the facility can be built with a handicap‑accessible ramp at ground level rather than being elevated to 17 feet BFE.
S15 said the jury previously accepted a donated parcel in Holly Beach for the project and that the Creole Nature Trail applied for federal and state grant funding to construct a two‑stall, unisex, concrete‑block restroom with flood vents designed for low maintenance and pressure‑washing after storm events. The grantee requested a variance because elevating a small restroom to full BFE would be prohibitively expensive and could make handicap access costlier.
Legal counsel (S2) told jurors they have discretion to grant variances when a public benefit exists; he advised assessing public benefit, footprint impact and feasibility. Jurors discussed maintenance and monitoring plans, possible volunteer support and contributions from local industry partners; staff estimated an average annual maintenance commitment of approximately $4,800 in the initial proposal if no private donations or volunteer partners are secured.
Jurors also asked about sewer and site‑size requirements for a public restroom (staff said the parcel exceeded the 5,000‑square‑foot threshold used locally for sewer connections) and noted that coastal permitting and the donor’s property description must be fully vetted by the parish coastal administrator.
Why it matters: the project would provide publicly accessible restrooms for residents and tourists along a rural segment of the Creole Nature Trail but raises tradeoffs between flood‑risk standards and cost/accessibility; the parish must weigh FEMA/permitting risk versus immediate public benefit.
Staff requested direction so the grantee can proceed with coastal permitting or, if a variance is denied, reallocate grant funds to another parish.
