Four Hour Council Meeting Results in Deferral of Development

By Dave Freneaux

In a probably record-long almost four hour Council meeting the bulk of the time was spent debating drainage plans for a proposed commercial and townhome development.  The developer, long time Central resident Jeff Couvillion of Acadiana Constructors, presented plans for the second phase of the project which is behind Cane's at the Sullivan and Wax Road intersection.  Included in the plan is addtional commercial and office space as well as a gated townhome community of 115 units targeted to give predominately younger home buyers an affordable option to choose to settle in Central.  Several residents in neighboring Huntley place expressed concerns over the concept af a large development very near their homes, but most people who spoke in the public comment period recognized the need for this type of development as Central grows.  Several Central residents in their twenties implored the Council to favorably consider the project so that young people like themselves would have the option of staying in Central as they embark on their careers.
 
Much of the four hour meeting was spent debating this rezoning request, and almost all of that discussion concerned whether the drainage plans for the development were appropriate and would handle the drainage and sewerage needs of the complex.  At close to 10 PM the Council voted to defer the item to give the Mr. Couvillion, concerned area citizens and engineers time to work out the details and agree on what needs to be done to make rezoning acceptable.
 
In other Council business a credit card expenditure policy was adopted (brought to Council by Councilman Messina) and a cooperative agreement providing up to $10,000 to the Cheneyville Fire Department was approved for the purpose of adding more fire hydrants to the northern part of the City of Central (brought to Council by Councilman Moak). The Council also approved resolutions facilitating the Central Fire
Department and Police Departments to receive state financial support for the purpose of purchasing equipment (brought to Council by Councilman Moak).