NEIGHBORHOOD TREE TRIMMING

Recently, you may have had a door hanger or received an automated phone call concerning tree trimming around power lines in our Southside neighborhoods.  Entergy has contracted with Nelson Tree Service to do this work.

There are a few things you should know:

Nelson has at least two licensed arborists who are certified and insured through the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry, Horticulture Division, to do the work under contract with Entergy.  Their insurance (a legal requirement to do the work) is in force and does not expire until August 2010.

Nelson assures SSCA that they focus their trimming efforts on sucker growth and avoid limbs and branches unless necessary for safety.  They also confirmed that they use bucket trucks when feasible and use ropes, and not climbing spurs, to access the trees.  This is important when working on healthy trees.

The wisest thing for a homeowner to do is to call the number on the door hanger and ask to be present during trimming, or at least leave a call-back number to speak to the trimmers the day of the trimming if the homeowner cannot be present.  

If you do not wish to have any trimming done on your trees, you need to contact Nelson and/or Entergy with your concerns.  It may be within your rights to refuse trimming on your property.

The up-side to trimming is that this service is free to homeowners who need it.  In addition, on request Nelson may remove 'hangers' (broken or wedged limbs remaining due to hurricane damage in the vicinity of power lines).  The down-side is that trimming often is at the discretion of the arborist doing the work.  This may be another reason to call them and make your wishes known.  However, arborists under contract with Entergy are licensed and insured.

SSCA Partners with BR GREEN

Your SSCA is one of a select group of neighborhood associations that has joined with Baton Rouge Green to maintain our unique neighborhood character.  We now are participants in "Trees 101".  Trees 101 is a project to educate residents about tree maintenance and help them select the proper tree for the proper location.  The project is funded by the Baton Rouge Association of Realtors through the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.  Want to know more about Baton Rouge Green and its programs?

Click Here

Caterie Rezoning Deferred -- Again

Commercial Zoning Request Stopped

Two Perkins Road Lots Were At Risk

A recent request to rezone two lots on the south side of Perkins Road from B-1 to Neighborhood Commercial has been turned back.  The potential buyer for the side-by-side properties, located in the 4200 block of Perkins Road (next to the B’hai Faith Center) had submitted a request to the Planning Commission (PC) and the Metro Council (MC) to rezone these lots in order to operate a hair salon and spa.  Wonder of wonders, the PC did not recommend rezoning.  SSCA Board members worked closely with the potential buyer and several MC members to determine that the current B-1 zoning is adequate for the proposed use, including the ability to sell hair products.  These efforts resulted in a decision by the potential buyer to pull his rezoning request off the table – but not without a great deal of initial opposition by the potential buyer and effort by Board members and concerned neighbors.  This is another victory for the neighborhood.  Rezoning to Neighborhood Commercial would have cleared the way for a number of potential businesses to exist at this site, including a two-pump gas station (according to the PC). 

The purchase of the properties at this location is not finalized.  So we must all stay vigilant to make sure another rezoning request is not submitted for these properties should the current sale fall through.

Lee Drive A-1

Zoning Is Upheld

On Monday, December 8, 2008 the Planning Commission considered Case 78-08, a request to rezone the now-vacant lot at 1245 Lee Drive from A-1 family residential to Neighborhood Office.  This lot is located next to the daycare center near Bluebell and a request had been submitted by a potential buyer to rezone the lot, clearing the way for construction of a chiropractic clinic.  The Planning Commission determined that the zoning change would be completely out of character with the surrounding neighborhood and land use.  Their decision was made based on testimony from half a dozen SSCA members, including three people who live within one block of the property.  In addition, 44 signatures were obtained by a house-to-house circulation of a petition against the rezoning.  Active participation by neighbors willing to speak out and sign the petition is what helped to make this defense of A-1 zoning successful!

This property still remains for sale.  Additional challenges to the current A-1 zoning are possible.  Everyone must stay diligent -- watch for the ominous ‘yellow’ rezoning signs.

Make Your Voice Heard

If you wish to express your opinion to Planning Commission or Metro Council members on neighborhood issues via e-mail, click here for City Government Contacts.