Changes to the UDC Ordinance - Aug 19! On August 19, the Metro Council will vote on
proposed changes to portions of the Unified Development Code (UDC) – the
city-parish ordinance governing development in our neighborhoods.The proposed changes are designed
specifically to increase developers’ options, decrease developers’ risk, and remove language set in place to protect
homeowners’ rights and property.Any
changes approved will have a direct impact on the development timeframes for
TNDs such as Rouzan.These proposed
changes, if approved, could a) prolong development of TND-zoned land
indefinitely, b) remove existing requirements for ‘phased’ developments like
Rouzan, and c) remove safeguards on the quality requirements of these
developments.One change removes the provision for TND-zoned
property to revert to its original zoning if no work is done in a given
timeframe.If you feel strongly
about this issue, contact all members of the Metro Council at metrocouncil@brgov.com and voice your opinion. Tattoo Parlors?
How did we end up with a
tattoo parlor on the south side of Perkins
Road?
In the fall of 2008, the
SSCA Board worked diligently to prevent the rezoning of two adjacent lots for
sale on Perkins Road
from B-1 transitional (service businesses) to C-1 commercial zoning (varied
commercial).Historically, SSCA has
maintained the position that additional commercial zoning on the south side of Perkins Road is not
desirable for our neighborhood. Such a zoning change held the potential
to allow the properties to convert to almost any type of commercial enterprise,
including a gas station.One concern was
that the entire block might be snapped up by a developer who could convert the
site into a strip-mall.However, our
negotiations resulted in a win-win situation – the prospective buyer was
cleared by the city-parish to open a hair salon and sell hair care
products as desired without rezoning the properties.
Unfortunately, the purchase
of that property fell through. The property owner then chose to rent part
of the property to a tattoo parlor – which qualifies as a ‘service business’
just like a hair salon and, by law, can operate at that location. This is still
America.
The property owner can rent his property to any business legally qualified to
operate within the B-1 zoning and we can do nothing about it.
Soon thereafter, the parlor
erected a tasteless and offensive ‘attachment’ to its signage, resulting in
immediate response from the SSCA, expressing concern over a possible signage
ordinance violation.Because of our
protests the attachment was removed.
Now, a second tattoo parlor
is opening on the north side of Perkins
Road near Zippy’s – again, within the legal limits
of the existing zoning.These
neighborhood changes highlight our need to oppose further zoning changes on the
south side of Perkins Road that may result in commercial enterprises that can
negatively affect the practical (traffic, safety) and aesthetic nature of our
neighborhood.
The SSCA Board is doing
everything legally feasible to protect our neighborhood's interests. And
we welcome your suggestions, comments and support.We are all in this together.
Have concerns about signage in our neighborhood?Contact Mr. Neal Bezet with the city-parish
at 389-8680 to see if a signage violation exists.
Solicitors! Reports of solicitors have increased on our
streets, as have reports of break-ins and burglaries.For the record, solicitation is not a legal
activity according to the BR Police Department.The BRPD encourages residents to call the police if they are approached
by anyone soliciting in the neighborhood.Dial 911 for immediate response or 389-3863 (389-2000 on weekends) to
speak with the police station.Do not
hesitate to call!Every report serves to
deter crime and helps increase police presence in our neighborhood.
Widening of Stanford Road
The Greenlight Program has begun
planning for the widening of Stanford Avenue at the approach to Perkins
Road. The proposal calls for taking of land from property owners on
both sides of Stanford near the intersection. For more information,
visit the Greenlight Website