Board recommends resubdivision of former St. Gertrude property despite neighbor drainage concerns

The St. Charles Parish Planning Board on Aug. 6 recommended approval of a resubdivision requested by PDJ Enterprises LLC for property at 17292 LA-631 in the Zalman zoning district, forwarding the matter with a staff recommendation that included a waiver for lot width requirements.

Planning staff told the board the proposal would split Lot 9B into three parcels and that two of the proposed lots meet zoning standards. One proposed lot—9B3—would be 25.63 feet wide, short of the R-1AM 50-foot minimum, and the applicant asked for a width waiver; staff did not object and recommended approval, noting that future development would still require the standard permitting and engineering reviews, including drainage review.

Resident Ryan Ferry, who said he lives at 125 Singertree Lane adjacent to the parcel, told the board "I already got water in my house a couple of storms ago" and said drainage from the site flows into a ditch he maintains. Ferry said increased housing and traffic could worsen flooding and access burdens on his property. Planning staff responded that any houses built later would have to undergo a drainage review and address drainage issues as part of permitting.

Louis Othamoff, appearing for the applicant, described the resubdivision as "pretty straightforward" and said there was no immediate plan to build on the lots fronting Old Spanish Trail or St. Gertrude Lane. After discussion, the board voted to consider the item and approved the staff recommendation unanimously.

The board's approval is a recommendation to the parish council where final approvals or waivers tied to rezoning or special exceptions may be required. The next procedural step for any future construction on the lots will be the standard permitting review, which staff said includes drainage controls and engineering compliance.