St. Tammany Blocks More High Density Development In District 9 As Growth And Drainage Battle Continues

The St. Tammany Parish Council has extended a development moratorium covering a large portion of District 9 as officials continue focusing on drainage and infrastructure concerns in the area.

Councilman David Cougle announced Thursday evening that the Parish Council voted unanimously to renew the moratorium for another six months.

The measure, Ordinance Calendar No. 8155, applies to an area generally bounded by South Military Road, Gause Boulevard East, Amber Street, Lake Village Boulevard, Cross Gates Boulevard, Highway 1090, East Porters River Road, the Porters River, West Pearl River, Doubloon Branch, Yorktown Drive, Starling Drive, Eagle Drive and Old River Road.

The ordinance temporarily restricts certain rezoning and resubdivision submissions as well as the issuance of certain permits for construction or placement of buildings within the designated area.

The Parish Council’s official August agenda confirms that Cougle introduced Ordinance 8155 on August 6, with a public hearing scheduled for September 3. Parish rules require extensions or renewals of development moratoriums to be approved through an ordinance.

Cougle said the purpose is to prevent additional high density development while the parish continues working on infrastructure improvements, particularly drainage.

“This moratorium is not only critical to ensure that no further high density developments are placed in the district, but that we can continue the focus on infrastructure improvements, particularly drainage, for the area,” Cougle wrote following the vote.

Cougle said he remains committed to what he described as smart growth and long term drainage solutions for District 9.

The extension gives parish officials another six months to address those concerns before the moratorium would again need to be reconsidered.