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Ascension Parish board approves purchases of two sites for regional detention
Summary
The drainage meeting approved two land purchases — about 13.69 acres at 37483 LA 704 for up to $450,000 and about 13.52 acres at 12429 Foshay Road for up to $510,000 — to be used for regional detention under the parish floodplain management plan.
Ascension Parish drainage leaders on July 7 approved purchases of two parcels intended for regional stormwater detention, moving the projects forward by unanimous consent.
The board approved acquisition of roughly 13.69 acres (rear portion of parcel 5825200 at 37483 LA 704) at a cost not to exceed $450,000, and about 13.52 acres at 12429 Foshay Road at a cost not to exceed $510,000. The Chair introduced both items under general business and recorded motions and seconds for each; neither item drew formal objections.
Why it matters: parish staff said both sites are targeted as upstream detention locations that would hold water and reduce downstream flooding, and that acquisition is part of the parish floodplain management plan. A staff member described the LA 704 tract as having drainage structures on the north and south sides and said the site “checks all the boxes” for a detention facility.
Exchange on development: a commissioner who identified himself as Mister Hilden asked whether buying the land and creating ponds would prevent a previously proposed nearby subdivision. A staff member said the parcel had been discussed previously as a potential development site but that the parish’s role was to make an offer to secure the site as a detention facility rather than to intervene directly between property owners; staff noted not every subdivision meets criteria for detention and described why this tract fits the plan.
Motions and outcome: for the LA 704 parcel, the motion was recorded as made by Mister Milanso and seconded by Miss Alonzo. For the Foshay Road parcel, the motion was recorded as made by Mister Hilsbeck and seconded by Miss Alonzo. The Chair moved both items by unanimous consent after inviting questions and objections.
Next steps: staff will proceed with acquisition steps consistent with the parish’s floodplain management plan and bring any required documents back to the board for finalization.
