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Commissioners deny developer’s plan to relocate lots in Bidco/Beautiful Creek Preserve
Summary
St. Tammany commissioners voted to deny a proposed PUD amendment that would have moved up to 30 lots from the front entrance of a preserve to a new northwest location; residents argued the change violates the community master plan and threatens conserved land and drainage functions.
Commissioners on the St. Tammany Parish planning commission voted to deny a major amendment that would have relocated lots inside the Vertical/Beautiful (Bidco) Creek planned unit development.
The petition, described by petitioner’s counsel Paul Maroon, sought to convert the front‑gate lots into green space and move up to 30 single‑family lots to a northwest corner of the PUD. Maroon said the change would reduce visible density at the front entrance, keep overall green‑space and developed‑area ratios unchanged and “put the area down by the creek into green space, into the conservancy,” increasing conservancy acreage compared with the current plan.
Residents opposed the amendment during public comment. William Philpott, who identified himself as a nine‑year resident, argued the proposal “clashes with the community’s master plan” and fails multiple standards for amendment, including protections for the natural environment, compatibility with the comprehensive plan, and the requirement that amendments correct a demonstrated change in condition. Philpott said residents worry the change would undermine promises the developer made about conservation and property values.
Commission discussion emphasized that the parcel in question has been treated as conservation/open space in prior PUD configurations. Commissioner Robert said the request represents a “material departure from that long‑established planning framework” and moved to deny the amendment; Commissioner Martino seconded. With no additional debate the motion to deny carried.
Why it matters: Commissioners and neighbors framed the dispute as a land‑use and trust issue — whether a long‑preserved conservation parcel should remain protected or be reallocated for new residential lots. The commission’s action preserves the existing PUD configuration and rejects the petitioner’s relocation plan.
Next steps: The motion to deny was approved by the commission; the petitioner may return with alternative proposals but would have to address the standards the commission cited.
