On October 26, Ascension Parish Council rejected an application to rezone 22.35 “adjacent (south) of Dutchtown High School” which would have cleared the way for a Walmart. The parcel, located on Hwy 73, approximately 1050′ north of Hwy 74, is currently zoned Medium Intensity Residential with a request for Mixed Use. The Council ignored a recommendation by the Zoning Commission which had voted (5-2) to recommend approval of the request (the commission had ignored a STAFF recommendation to deny).
Some of the worst traffic congestion that Ascension Parish has to offer, which probably attracted Walmart’s interest in the first place, argued against approval.
“We understand traffic is a major concern,” conceded Cameron Miller of Phelps Dunbar, the developer’s mouthpiece. “Your code provides protections. A building permit cannot issue unless we are able to achieve a Level of Service ‘D’ or higher.”
Councilman Blaine Petite, whose District 8 includes the subject property, was not buying it. A lifelong resident, he has “seen the change.”
“I don’t like,” the councilman said of quality-of-life diminishing which compromises safety as motorists ignore traffic laws. “Nothing short of five-laning Hwy 73 will make a difference.”
Petite added that he would be more comfortable if the developer agreed to a Small Plan Unit Development (SPUD) since a Multi Use rezone would allow apartments and a number of other unpalatable uses. He ticked off a litany of additional concerns.
The Site has no Secondary Access:
All of the Walmart traffic would, necessarily, empty onto Hwy 73 directly across from Dutchtown Middle School…