Abita Springs planning panel recommends Aita Meadows PUD to council but defers final plat pending engineer report

The Abita Springs Planning & Zoning Commission on Aug. 28 recommended that the town council approve a Plan Unit Development (PUD) for the Aita Meadows project, but the commission unanimously deferred action on the subdivision's final plat until the town engineer finishes a pending report and outstanding inspections are resolved.

The commission's acceptance of the PUD is a recommendation only; the council will make any zoning change. Commissioners said they could recommend the PUD tonight because rezoning concerns land uses and will be considered later by the council, while the final subdivision plat's approval — which certifies roads, sewer, water and other infrastructure — requires the town engineer's certification before lots may be recorded or building permits issued.

Alex Carter, a consultant with Desireine, explained the two-step process to the commission and the packed public hearing: —The subdivision process is about infrastructure— and requires the town engineer's certification, he said, while the PUD covers allowable uses and building layout and is finalized by council.

Developer representative Adam Henning told the commission his company, Lonesome Development, had completed construction of phase one and, he said, passed most retesting for sewer, water and gas as of that morning; he said a functional test of the subdivision's lift station was scheduled for the following week. —We have now completed all of the retesting for sewer, water, and gas within the subdivision,— Henning said, adding that Fairway Engineering is coordinating the testing.

Residents urged caution. Thad Manel III of Abear Road said runoff and retention-pond behavior had worsened after construction: —It was a disaster. It's still a disaster,— he said, describing chronic flooding on nearby roads and asking the commission to wait for engineering verification.

Several speakers emphasized incomplete records and inspections. Staff told the commission that some checklist items were present but that final as-built drawings for gas, water and sewer were still pending and that the engineer's full, certified review was expected next week. One staff member told the commission that although checklist materials had been submitted, —I can't approve it. That's the town engineer's job.—

After public comment, the commission moved and seconded a recommendation to send the PUD to council; the commission recorded four affirmative votes for the PUD recommendation. On the final subdivision plat — which would permit sale of lots once engineering certification is complete — commissioners debated and then voted unanimously to defer until the town engineer issues a completed report and outstanding items are resolved.

The commission's deferral means final acceptance of subdivision infrastructure will not proceed at this meeting; commissioners said the item will be placed on the next agenda after the town engineer and staff confirm outstanding tests and as-built submissions are complete. The developer and the town engineer remained available to answer technical questions at the next meeting.

What happens next: the town engineer's final report and any remaining as-built certifications or failed-inspection retesting must be submitted and reviewed. The PUD recommendation will be transmitted to the Abita Springs Town Council for its consideration at a subsequent meeting.