LAFAYETTE PARISH, La. (NEWS 15) — A $5,500-per-meter fee imposed by Lafayette Parish Water District South is halting residential development in southwest Lafayette Parish, drawing frustration from developers, residents, and members of the parish council.
Real estate developer Ross Berthelot told the council he has been unable to complete a 300-lot subdivision because of the fee, which the water district tied to $5.5 million in infrastructure upgrades needed to serve about 1,000 new homes slated to be built near Ridge Road.
“As of today, I cannot develop my property that was approved by the Planning Commission back in 2022,” Berthelot said. “I cannot sell my property because there’s no water.”…