Neighbors decry density and safety of five‑home plan; council tables variance requests

Councilmembers and residents sparred Tuesday over a proposed small‑lot subdivision on South Morgan and Glen Street, with neighbors saying five new homes on three lots would be too dense for the Old Town area and could create parking and emergency‑access problems. After extended public comment and technical briefings, the council voted to table the requested variances so staff, neighbors and the developer can negotiate changes.

The item, brought by Montague and Domain Inc./Ibram Balbici Development, requests several waivers of the city’s subdivision and Old Town Overlay requirements to allow a 0‑lot‑line layout with about 6 feet of separation between some homes, reduced right‑of‑way and easement widths, and modified intersection fillets at Morgan and Glen. City Engineer Walter told the council the developer originally proposed six units but reduced the plan to five and is seeking five waivers including sidewalks/utility easement reductions and a side‑setback variance to permit the narrower spacing.

Multiple neighbors described how rear‑facing windows would look directly into existing yards, said Morgan Street is already narrow (residents documented pavement as little as 17 feet wide) and warned that adding units would worsen parking and block emergency access. Colleen Fall, who lives at 407 South Saint Pierre, said she has a child with special needs who spends time in the backyard and asked for consideration on window placement to protect privacy. Several residents urged the council to require fewer homes—suggesting four instead of five—and pressed whether the developer or city would pay for intersection improvements.

Public Works Director Mel said the city could widen the Glenn/Glen intersection but that the work would require additional right‑of‑way, which the engineer had recommended. Fire Department leadership said the proposed layout, if it includes rear parking and a 25‑foot easement for access, could allow a fire truck to stage behind the houses; the chief said the area is already covered by an engine and ladder company and that water supply should be adequate.

Developer representatives told the council the owner agreed to move or remove a proposed rear window to address privacy concerns and that the plan had been reduced from six to five units. One representative (transcript ID given as Bridal Baldesi/Ibrahim) said the homes are modest shotgun‑style units intended for families and argued the proposed layout complies with many city requirements; another representative, Guidry, said several prior issues had been resolved during the review process.

Council members debated whether to vote on each waiver separately or return the item to a committee for negotiation. Councilman Reagan moved to table the item so the developer and staff could meet with neighbors; the motion carried on a council roll call. The mayor and staff confirmed the tabling halts action tonight and that any revised submission must be made publicly available and return to council within the statutory timeframe.

Next steps: the council asked staff to coordinate follow‑up meetings between the developer and neighborhood representatives, to require the detailed engineering submittals (drainage, utility hookups and any piping of ditches) when the developer resubmits, and to post revised plans in the council packet ahead of the next hearing.