Neighbors unite to fight construction of townhome development at corner of Ernest and W. Claude streets

A public hearing regarding a controversial proposed development will take place at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, July 17.

A request to subdivide an approximate 2.4-acre lot on the northwest corner of W. Claude St. at Ernest St. was unanimously denied by the Lake Charles Planning and Zoning Commission at a meeting in June.

The developer filed an appeal of the commission’s decision, the city confirmed, to bring the matter before the City Council.

Pentangeli Row Development, LLC. – owned by Cypress Engineering & Development Group Engineer David Minton – plans to pace 16 duplex townhomes (32 units) on the lot. These units would be sold and individually titled, not rented, according to the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting minutes. The variance request is accompanied by a major conditional use permit to place an over 200 ft. private driveway and a variance for lot size reduction.

The lot is in a residential area, surrounded by residential homes and is near Central Library.

After hearing from both Minton and several concerned neighbors, the request was denied by Commission members Alvin Joseph, Mitchell Gregory Pete, Gus Schram III and Reginald Weeks.

Three commission members were absent.

At the meeting, those opposed to the development expressed concerns about flooding, traffic, high population density, aesthetics and the future of the legacy live oak on the property.

Sandy Barker – who is spearheading the petition that has received almost 800 signatures – told the American Press she is especially concerned about flooding.

The intersection is already prone to flooding, she said, and the amount of concrete that is required for the development will worsen the issue.

“The system is already antiquated, it backs up. You’re gonna add at least 64 toilets, 64 tubs, 64 sinks, dishwashers,” she said. “Not to mention, that lot floods. So it holds some of our rainwater, it holds back some of the water to help with the soil and the grassy area.”

According to the meeting minutes, Minton stated that a detention system for rainwater “up to a 25-year storm event” would be installed, as required by the City. He later clarified that it equated to “about eight inches in a 24 hour period.”

“With regards to what we are allowed to discharge from the property, it cannot exceed the current conditions, this has to be proved with science, engineering reports and studies that the City will review with its engineering staff to confirm that our science is valid,” he said at the June commission meeting.

Barker also said that the development will worsen traffic conditions at the intersection, which is already heavy because of its proximity to the library and Our Lady Queen of Heaven. She also noted that Ernest St. has become a “major thoroughfare,” as many utilize the street to avoid Ryan Street.

The planned townhomes would be two stories. Neighbors against the townhomes fear that their privacy will be reduced.

Minton said at the commission meeting that after speaking with a group of developers and the architect, eight-foot fences will likely be required for the development. Additionally, Bahama Shutters would be installed for neighbors’ privacy, he said.

The high density of residents on the lot is a concern. Baker explained to The American Press that many homes and townhomes in the area are for residents who are 55 and older.

“It’s just too much in this neighborhood that’s low-profile, quiet, slow.”

Residents would like a park or community area on that lot, she said.

Minton noted at the commission meeting that when the project was first evaluated, they considered they could “make it just like Pecan Wood Subdivision,” but could not proceed because it was not economically possible.

“If it was single-family homes the project would probably not work because of the cost of the land,” he said later at the June meeting.

Those opposed also hope to save the Legacy Live Oak on the property. A petition on change.org currently has over 600 signatures.

The City Council will also address three other Planning and Zoning Commission request denials at the meeting on Wednesday.