Neighbors Oppose Sale of Alcohol by Stallings Playground

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GentillyFoodMartOn February 9, 2015,  Brian Kelly represented Mario Hizaj and Gentilly Food Mart at the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association meeting in an effort to obtain support for a license to sell beer at 1629 Gentilly Blvd.

The minutes from the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association meeting indicate that Mr. Kelly stated that the facility is 300’ from the playground (Mr. Kelly revised that number to 127 feet from the playground at the hearing). A copy of Sec. 10-237 of the City Code was provided at the meeting. Mr. Kelly further stated that there are variances allowing stores to sell beer. The variances include limiting the amount of liquor that can be sold, that package liquor can not be advertised outside of the business, and re-registration each year. Mr. Hizaj is proposing that 7% of his store will be dedicated to beer. Mr. Hizaj will provide a monthly donation to the park. The store has closed-circuit TV and he doesn’t allow loitering.

A motion was made by Sarah Stogner to oppose the request to sell any alcohol at Gentilly Food Mart. The motion passed.

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GentillyFoodMart1On June 18, 2015, neighbors saw a notice on a utility pole on Maurepas Street about a hearing to be held where the City Planning Commission had recommended approval of zoning docket 52-15 which would allow the sale of alcohol for off-premises consumption at 1629 Gentilly Blvd.   Provisos were suggested.

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On June 23, 2015, over 20 neighbors on both sides of Gentilly Blvd. attended the hearing. The neighbors were all against the sale of alcohol across from the playground due to the detrimental effects on the playground of the sale of alcohol from the Fair Zone convenience store before it closed.   Increased crime, constant loitering, and drinking of alcohol by loud and unruly men in the playground were cited as reasons for opposition.

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In the video below, you will see a diverse group of people all in opposition to the sale of alcohol across from Stallings playground.

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Details can be found here in the preliminary staff report.

Gentilly-Food-Mart-ZD_052-15-2015june23

Erroneous Alcohol Permit Revoked

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S-express-March-2014-Google

The New Orleans Alcohol Beverage Control board ordered the S Express convenience store at 2703 Ursulines Avenue to stop selling hard liquor immediately, after officials and Bayou St. John residents argued Tuesday afternoon that the store’s permit was granted mistakenly.

Click here for the rest of the story in the Mid-City Messenger.

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Video of S-Express hearing on the erroneous permit

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The Relationship Between Alcohol Availability and Injury and Crime

Introduction
There is a growing body of research that shows what many people already know: areas with more alcohol outlets (a business or location where alcoholic beverages are sold) tend to experience more alcohol-related injury and crime. Incidents of sexual and other assaults, domestic violence, child abuse, youth violence, homicides, alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, and drunk driving have all been shown to increase when the availability of alcohol increases.

Concern among local communities generally focuses on alcohol availability from commercial outlets, such as bars and retail stores. But public availability of alcohol, or alcohol that is served at public events and in public places such as parks, can be a significant source of alcohol in the community and should also be of concern.

The Facts
The number of alcohol outlets is related to violent assaults. One study showed that each additional alcohol outlet was associated with 3.4 additional assaults per year. Scribner, R., Mackinnon, D. & Dwyer, J.: “The risk of assaultive violence and alcohol availability in Los Angeles County.” American Journal of Public Health (85) 3: 335-340. 1995.

Alcohol outlet density has been shown to be the single most important environmental factor explaining why violent crime rates are higher in certain areas of the city than in others. LaBouvie, E. & Ontkush, M.:”Violent crime and alcohol availability: relationships in an urban community.” Journal of Public Health Policy 19(3):303-318. 1998.

There are a greater number of alcohol-related injury crashes in cities with higher outlet densities. A 1% increase in outlet density means a .54% increase in alcohol-related crashes. Thus, a city of 50,000 residents with 100 alcohol outlets would experience an additional 2.7 crashes for each new outlet opened. Scribner, R., Mackinnon, D. & Dwyer, J.: “Alcohol outlet density and motor vehicle crashes in Los Angeles County cities.” Journal of Studies on Alcohol (44): 447-453, July 1994.

Blocks that have more bars have higher crime rates for murder, rape, assault, robbery, burglary, grand theft and auto theft. Adding one bar to a block would result in 3.38 crimes committed on that block in a year. It would increase the risk of murder taking place on that block by 5%, and increase the risk of having a violent crime of any type by 17.6%. Runcek, D. & Maier, P. “Bars, blocks and crimes revisited: linking the theory of routine activities to the empiricism of ‘hot spots.’ “ Criminology (29) 4: 725-753. 1991.

The level of drinking, drinking participation, and participation in binge drinking are all significantly higher among all college students when a greater number of outlets licensed to sell alcoholic beverages exist near campus. This is particularly true for underage drinking. Chaloupka, F. & Wechsler, H. “Binge drinking in college: the impact of price, availability and alcohol control policies.” Contemporary Economic Policy, vol. xiv, October 1996.

Freedom from unwanted interruptions in one’s house or place of business are fundamental legal rights. A basic tenet of law is the right to the “quiet enjoyment” of one’s own property. High densities of alcohol outlets cause noise, traffic, loitering, and other disturbances of the public peace. Preventing Problems Related to Alcohol Availability: Environmental Approaches. U.S. DHHS Pub No. (SMA) 99-3298.

Policy Solutions
Communities can influence both alcohol availability and consumption, and thereby mitigate related problems, by controlling the number of alcohol outlets, regulating the behavior of current outlets, and even closing problem outlets. These measures, along with others such as stricter enforcement on underage sales of alcohol and responsible alcohol service training, are part of a broader strategy that communities can implement to prevent and reduce threats to the health and safety of their residents from alcohol abuse.

BGR Suggests Trojan Horse in CZO

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BGR

The Bureau of Governmental Research Suggests Serious Problems
Exist in Proposed Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.

Click here for the full report.

Since 2011, BGR has raised concerns with each successive draft of Article 5. While the City Planning Commission has made changes in response to some of BGR’s suggestions, our most critical concerns remain unaddressed. At this late stage of the game, with the City Council moving quickly toward final approval of the draft CZO, the prospects for creating an acceptable revision seem bleak.

For that reason, BGR recommends that the City Council eliminate Article 5. In its current form, the article puts up for grabs hundreds of pages of zoning rules that have absorbed vast amounts of civic energy and taken years to fashion. However, should the council proceed with Article 5, it should at a minimum do the following:
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Eliminate the general provision that puts all zoning regulations on the bargaining table in exchange for benefits. Also eliminate the smorgasbord of potential beneficial project features to be used in exchange for zoning exceptions.
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Instead, craft a set of district-specific sections setting forth the relevant challenges the city hopes to address in each area. Each section should contain:
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A clear statement of intent identifying what problem the section is attempting to solve and how that problem relates to the geographic areas covered.
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Strategies that flow directly from that statement.
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A statement specifying which zoning rules can be bent, with a narrative explaining why exceptions to such rules relate to the stated intent and strategies. There should be clear limitations on the exceptions.
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Detailed guidelines for decision-making bodies to use in determining whether the exceptions requested for a development are necessary to advance the strategy for that district category.
If the challenges and strategies to address them in a given type of zoning district cannot be clarified, the pertinent section should be struck from Article 5. The article could be amended later, if suitable strategies are created.
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Make the minimum site size requirements ironclad. The language allowing exceptions to the minimum if “there are … exceptional circumstances affecting the property” should be struck. Consideration should be given to increasing the minimum site sizes, so that fewer sites across the city are thrown into play.

Click here for the full report.

City Removes Tree

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tree-removed-2013july16

A neighbor in the 3200 block of Grand Route Saint John called the City of New Orleans about a dead tree in front of their home.

The tree was dead and full of bees. The City came out and determined that the tree needed to be removed. The Parks and Parkways Department will help with trees on City property. This tree was between the sidewalk and the street. The area between the sidewalk and the street belongs to the City of New Orleans.

The Department of Parks and Parkways encourages tree planting by citizens, but requires citizens to get a free Tree Planting Permit to plant a tree between the sidewalk and curb. Citizens also need to submit plans for the trees and/or shrubs they intend to plant on public property.

For full information and a permit application, see the Tree Planting Permit page from the City of New Orleans Permit & Licenses department. Depending on the location planting location, citizens may also need a Sidewalk Cut Permit.

If you need to contact the City of New Orleans please visit the link below:
https://fsjna.org/contact/federal-government-links/

stump1-3200grsj-2013july16stump-3200grsj-2013july16

Many thanks to the City workers
who did a great job!


entergy-3200grsj-2013july16

Entergy came out after the tree was removed
to make sure all the utilities were safe.


tree-removed-2013july16

City workers left the area clean.

Volleyball is Fun

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volleyball1

Hello volleyball friends,

We’ll be playing volleyball as usual along Bayou St John this Saturday assuming the weather holds. I think there will be about a 50% chance of rain Saturday, but most of you know the routine… if we get nets set up before it’s raining then we’ll most likely play through any isolated showers. Our schedule is as follows:

9:30am-11:30am Junior League (help us get more kids!)
11:30am-2:00pm Adult “speed” tournament ($5.00/player)
2:00pm-until… Free pick-up games

Don’t forget that we’re also now playing on Tuesday evenings starting at 5pm and going until sundown. Frank is running a doubles tournament Tuesdays ($5.00/player) starting at 6pm, and we may be adding a net of quads tourney action too if there’s demand.

FYI our volleyball group has submitted a proposal to the Sewerage and Water Board to develop sand volleyball courts on vacant land across the street from where we usually set up. A handful of nearby neighbors have raised some concerns about our proposal which has caused the S&WB to consider withdrawing their lease offer. MCVG in the next three weeks will be doing everything it can to convince the S&WB that there is great community benefit to our proposal. We may need you to be present at a meeting or two to show the S&WB that there is in fact great demand for a sand volleyball venue. I will keep you posted when we hear which meetings to attend, but I can say that all S&WB meetings take place at 9am at their headquarters at 625 St Joseph Street (2nd floor conference room). Just to give you a heads up, the Finance Committee will meet June 4, the Executive Committee will meet June 7 and the full board will meet June 19 (see http://www.swbno.org/news_boardmeetings.asp).

On a sad note I must deliver some tragic news. Long-time volleyball player John Martinez passed away yesterday morning at the age of forty-six after a sudden bout with lung cancer. He has inspired a group of nineteen of us to visit his home town of La Ceiba on the Caribbean coast of Honduras, and we will miss him dearly on our trip next week. I will pass along information about funeral services as soon as I hear anything.

See y’all Saturday,

Peter Hickman
Volleyball Soldier
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Details on Proposed Volleyball Courts


1) The proposed site for sand volleyball courts is more than 200 feet from the edge of Bayou St John on vacant land that runs along side Armstrong’s Supply Company. We would initially build just two courts near Toulouse Street on the side of the property that tends to flood and become muddy. By adding drainage underneath the sand we would be adding value to the property by making it useful for recreation. I’d like to point out that we are not building any permanent structures on the property but instead are converting frequently unusable green space into usable tan space.

2) We recently had a lighting expert give us a quote for lighting two courts. Lights will be focused on the courts from poles on either side of the pair of courts. Lights will be used only when necessary meaning they will only be turned on at sundown and they will immediately be turned off after the conclusion of league play. Leagues will be run Monday through Friday from 6:30pm to 10:30pm for three or four seasons a year but probably not over the dead of winter. Weekend activities hopefully will be concluded during daylight hours so no lights would be necessary Saturday or Sunday. If lights were required on weekends, again they would be used only when absolutely necessary.

3) We have permission to use the parking lots of Armstrong’s Supply Company and Bayou Bicycles after hours. The Mid-City Theatre and post office parking lots may also be available. There is street parking available on both Toulouse Street and Orleans Avenue, and we will designate a portion of the S&WB property for overflow parking. We will have numerous bicycle racks and will offer discounts to players who arrive by nonmotorized vehicle as an incentive to lower the automobile parking burden.

4) We probably will not have a PA system initially as that would require a permanent structure to house the equipment. Eventually, however, we would like to mount speakers on each light pole and, as with the lights themselves, focus sound onto the court. We are well aware of being good neighbors and would keep the volume low. Furthermore, volleyball players need to communicate with each on the court all the time, so for that reason the volume of music would be kept particularly low. The “surround sound” approach to mounting speakers will actually help keep volumes low instead of a single speaker having to blast across the entire space. As for whistles, we do expect to have referees for most of the league play, but I point out that scale matters. For those who thought Coconut Beach was a cacophony, with only two courts there will be much less racket. For the nights and weekends when matches are self-reffed there will be no whistles at all.

5) We have an excellent relationship with Jared Zeller as MCVG was once a part of The MotherShip Foundation. We would only be using a small fraction of the S&WB property, and the Orleans Ave side would be left open for parking or other uses during the Bayou Boogaloo. MotherShip Foundation is actually contemplating making a parking arrangement with Delgado Community College or St Margaret’s Nursing Home in the future and offering free shuttle service to the festival. In other words, the MotherShip Foundation is also cognizant of the parking burden that automobiles exert on the bayou.

6) The Mid-City Volleyball Group was the first to approach City Park in 2007 regarding the development of a sand volleyball facility within the park. Coconut Beach approached City Park in 2011, and a couple of entrepreneurs that call themselves NOLA Beach Volleyball approached City Park in 2012. As far as I know, all three of our groups have been turned down by the City Park leaders who have a MasterPlan that simply doesn’t include volleyball.

There’s one last point I’d like to make. For many years MCVG advocated for a space along the Lafitte Greenway, and there seemed to be a great deal of public support for this. Unfortunately, the space most likely to be dedicated to sand volleyball courts is currently occupied by city facilities such as the sign and signal shop, and the city has no intention of re-locating those businesses any time soon.

Design Workshop suggested that MCVG approach the S&WB about developing land 1-2 blocks from the Greenway that is essentially an extension of the Greenway, and that sounded good to us as it could fulfill our immediate need (we are already an active group, and our numbers are growing each week). We have a dozen letters of support from community organizations, local businesses and national volleyball associations, and we have 443 petition signatures including over 100 from residents in the immediate vicinity of the S&WB land.

Unfortunately, a few vocal critics have caused the S&WB to hesitate with the proceedings, but I truly feel we will be providing a community service [our mission is to create a safe public space in Mid-City where residents can enjoy outdoor activity, reduce stress and build community through the shared experience of playing volleyball]. No matter what happens in the next few weeks with MCVG‘s proposal to the S&WB, there is no doubt that active recreation will be coming to the Lafitte Greenway and people within the corridor will have to adjust to increased activity and parking within their neighborhood.

MCVG has always tried to build coalitions, and we welcome comments from our neighbors.

Yours truly,
Peter Hickman
President of The Mid-City Volleyball Group, www.midcityvolleyball.org
President of Mid-City Youth Volleyball, www.midcityyouthvolleyball.org
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SANYO DIGITAL CAMERAHello MCVG volleyball players,
Here’s a message from the younger brother of John Martinez, Glenn, who himself is a volleyball player and coach.
hello and thank you for being such a nice human being…i can just know john said the same about you..his funeral services will be at the Gardens of Memories in airline drive from 10am-1pm this saturday the 1st of june prayers in chapel and then his burial…everyone is welcome..thank you and thanks to everyone in midcity volleybal..i know John will be watching your volleyball game in la ceiba from heaven…Godbless

MCVG will still hold it’s normal activities tomorrow, but I personally may head to John’s funeral to represent our group. I’ve attached a photo of John (orange shirt) and his Honduran buddy, Jesus (red shirt), taken during the summer of 2010 during a MCVG pick-up game. It’s how I will remember him. -Peter

Two Zoning Issues in Faubourg St. John

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by Greg Jeanfreau, Zoning Committee Chairman

zoning2013may13a
3127-PonceDeLeon
On Friday 5/10/13, I spent time at City Hall speaking with a staff member for the City Planning Commission. I was able to obtain the file for 3127 Ponce De Leon as it pertains to the BZA meeting on Monday 5/13/13. The parking waivers were approved last and the reason they are re-applying is that their building permits expired after a year and therefore they have to re-apply for the parking waiver. The staff is recommending approval. There is also some documentation of neighbor support.

What is most interesting is that on the second page of the staff report (and I confirmed this with the young lady I spoke with) there is a footnote stating that Ice Cream shops are considered “standard restaurant” uses similar to that of coffee shops. This has been the slippery slope fast food question regarding whether an ice cream shop would create a precedent for fast food chains to move into the neighborhood.

Therefore, my understanding is that this and/or Tutti Fruitti would not be considered fast food and would not set any sort of precedent. I mentioned the Tutti Fruitti location and the CPC staffer confirmed this was the case with that project also. If it were considered fast food, the project would have required variances and applying for a conditional use prior to obtaining their building permits as Fast Food is a different use with heavier requirements. Tutti Fruitti does have their permits, FYI.
3042-UrsulinesAve

Construction Celebration

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https://fsjna.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Esplanade+Bike+Path+Study1a.pdf

Paths2Progress4webclick on the announcement for a larger view

Tuesday | March 5th

Meet under the big dome on the bayou –> Holy Rosary cafeteria at
3368 Moss Street in beautiful Faubourg St. John

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Orleans_Ave_Paving_Begins

Barriere Construction Company will begin the Esplanade repaving project on March 6th. One lane of traffic will remain open on each side of Esplanade during the project.

Esplanade-Paving-March6
Dean Burridge sent in this report on January 12, 2013:

The $5M project has been coordinated with the Sewer & Water Board along with area utilities, and completion by July 2013 is anticipated.

ADA curb ramps will be the items that will be the first construction to begin. A new 2″ surface of asphalt will be installed after removing of the previous material, along with curb repair. The stone curb will remain and be reset as deemed necessary.

Seven day notice will be given to area businesses and residents prior to the initiation of road work and the work will be generally continuous from 7am to 5:30pm. Some occasional evening & weekend repairs are possible. If you have any questions they may be reached at 1-800-574-7193.

One lane will remain open during construction work. Esplanade Avenue will become a one vehicle travel lane in each direction. The lane will be widened to 12′ and it is the city’s intention to have an accompanying bike lane with accompanying striping. The bike lane striping will be done later.

The Rail Road track and subsequent bump on City Park Avenue will remain. Several crosswalks at area schools, along with those in “downtown” Faubourg St. John will be done in a “bold” pattern style. None of the area parks will be utilized for construction material or devices.

https://fsjna.org/2013/01/esplanade-and-city-park-avenue-repaving/


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Paving announced July 23, 2012:

https://fsjna.org/2012/07/esplanade-to-get-upgrade-in-december/


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Request for comments November 3, 2011:

https://fsjna.org/2011/11/comments-due-on-esplanade-repaving/


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Paving announced October 12, 2011:

https://fsjna.org/2011/10/esplanade-avenue-to-be-repaved/


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The article below is by Kate Parker, former Faubourg St.John Neighborhood Association president:

The infrastructure improvements for Esplanade are not a surprise to this neighborhood. Indeed, they were discussed in 2006, 2007 and 2008 at several planning meetings. They are located within the bike master plan for the city. It is possible that not everyone here attended every meeting or was involved in every discussion. But, as a former neighborhood president, I was. And I
encouraged it, and I was not alone.

Road diets on streets with sub-standard travel lanes in a places with a high residential and business mix make sense for safety and economic development.

Crash rates between cars decrease (see FHWA report http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/humanfac/04082/index.cfm) as cars cross fewer lanes of traffic to turn minimizing the potential for conflicts.

Furthermore, the safety of pedestrians increases. Pedestrians do not have to cross as many lanes of traffic to reach their destination. We have many new families with young children in this neighborhood. We have elderly citizens who require extra time to cross streets. Let’s try to envision a neighborhood that keeps our kids and their grandparents safe.

Our neighborhood businesses cannot survive on the business of the small group of people who live in the Faubourg St. John alone. People visit Faubourg St.John from all over the city not only at Jazz Fest, but at other times of the year. There are at least three businesses that rent bikes to tourists downtown. The tourists (and our own residents) require a safe way to travel from the French Quarter to City Park. City Park is adding infrastructure for people to be active and enjoy the park. It is absurd that we would want them to drive to the park to be active.
People should be able to walk and bike there safely.

Finally, there will be an increase in cyclists and also in pedestrians. I have completed two studies in peer-reviewed journals of the impact of bike lanes in New Orleans on cycling. Both the St. Claude lane and the S. Carrollton lanes led to an increase in cyclists. (Parker et al, JPAH, 2011, & Parker et al, Annuals of Behavioral Medicine 2013). A third study I am finishing details that after the new improvements on S. Carrollton there was an increase in pedestrians too. Considering the needs of our businesses to attract customers, I think that new bike and pedestrian traffic helps them significantly. Moreover, the new comprehensive zoning ordinance has features that encourage business to include parking for bikes. Our city is moving to become more inclusive of all users of the roadways, as evidenced by the passage of the 2011 Complete Streets Ordinance.

New Orleans is a flat city in a temperate climate, well-suited to walking and biking.

CZO INFO

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by Nick Kindel

Below is information from Nick Kindel about the proposed Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.

First go to the proposed zoning maps. Faubourg St. John is located in Planning District 4. Here is the link to the zoning maps… http://www.nola.gov/RESIDENTS/City-Planning/DRAFT-Zoning-Ordinance/Draft-Zoning-Maps/

Look at the black and blue lines which show the boundaries of the proposed zoning districts. The letters are the ‘code’ that tells you the zoning from the property. Sometimes there is more than one code (ie HU-RD1/HU-RD2), this means that City Planning is trying to decide which zone they will apply to that area (this is a great opportunity to provide your input). Then you can go to the zoning code text which will tell you the uses allowed in each zone, the height, bulk, and setback requirements for buildings in the zoning. Here is the link to the proposed Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance text… http://www.nola.gov/RESIDENTS/City-Planning/DRAFT-Zoning-Ordinance/Draft-Zoning-Ordinance-Text/

You will find the regulations for most of the zones in Faubourg St. John in Articles 11 and 12 for Historic Urban Neighborhoods Residential/Non-residential zones. Other zones can be found in other articles (like OS-N is in Article 7 for Open Space). A couple of other important sections to look at is Article 20 (Use Standards), which has specific development standards for certain uses (like gas stations and child care centers just to name a few) and Article 21 (Onsite Development Standards) which has development standards (for example lighting and environmental standards) for all uses. Other sections get into more details and requirements for signs (Article 24) and parking (Article 22).

City Planning is trying to move away from overlay zones in the new Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. There is a section on overlay zones (Article 18), but there are only a few remaining overlay zones in the new Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, and I did not see any in the vicinity of Faubourg St. John.

The zoning code is very long and it can be complex, so please let me know if you have any questions. I am willing to go through the proposed zoning code with people if they want me to.

Thanks,
Nick Kindel
Citizen Participation Project Coordinator
Committee for a Better New Orleans
4902 Canal Street, Suite 300
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 267-4665 (office)
(503) 871-0576 (mobile)
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This is a map of the boundaries of the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association.
FSJNA’s boundaries are:
Onzaga to Orleans and North Broad to North Carrollton.
CLICK HERE FOR A GOOGLE MAP OF THE AREA.

Faubourg St. John, established in 1708, is a neighborhood located
just north of Broad Street at the intersection of Orleans Avenue.

It is approximately 75 city blocks in area and has an average elevation of about 1 foot above sea level. Not bad when you consider about half of New Orleans is several feet under sea level. More than 4,000 residents call Faubourg St. John home.

One of New Orleans’ finest neighborhoods, Faubourg St. John is famous for its stately trees, abundant parks, spectacular homes, world-class museums, vibrant bayou, excellent restaurants and fine shops throughout the neighborhood especially along its business districts on Ponce de Leon and Broad Streets.

Faubourg St. John contains the full range of residential uses, fun and friendly business districts, office space, a wide range of medical services and a small amount of light industrial property. This full range of land use, plus the economic and ethnic diversity of the neighborhoods’ population qualifies Faubourg St. John as a premier destination.

FAUBOURG ST. JOHN
“Where Big Dreams Grow!”

What Happens When Zoning Laws are Ignored?

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A picture really does speak a thousand words does it not?

A Mid-City neighbor sent in this photo this afternoon and explained that this illegal parking lot was just installed on Bienville Street between Carrollton & David St. There is no permit and it was installed over a storm drain, on city property, and on top of an old oak tree’s roots.

The location of the zoning violation is at 4136 Bienville Street. The building is an owner-occupied duplex.

Click on the photo for a larger view.

Krishna Flyer Spurs Controversy

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2012 Krishna flyer below

<---Click on the 2012 Krishna flyer for a larger view.

The flyer from the Krishnas that you can view in the link below specifically mentions that the court case affects their ability to sell food. The city council passed a law cracking down on aggressive solicitation, and the Hare Krishnas are seeking to have it overturned.

https://fsjna.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/krishna-restaurant-2012.jpg

The Krishnas are filing Civil Action Number 71-684. The Deputy City Attorneys came to the following conclusion concerning this issue:
CONCLUSION
The plaintiffs have failed to plead that they have standing in the present action and have failed to plead a cause of action. The Aggressive Solicitation Ordinance does not violate the plaintiffs First Amendment rights as it places reasonable content-neutral time, manner and place restrictions that serve a compelling governmental interest. Accordingly, Plaintiffs’ Complaint ought to be dismissed. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ACTUAL COURT DOCUMENTS

https://fsjna.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/KRISHNA-COURT-CASE2.pdf

In the link please find the plaintiff’s argument (Krishnas) and the defendants response (City of NO). The Krishnas filed their complaint in response to City Ordinance 28682 which prohibits agressive solicitation. The ordinance is also included in the PDF.

https://fsjna.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/KRISHNA-COURT-CASE2.pdf

The Krishnas distributed the flyer in the link below in order to drum up support. The flyer states, “Judge Lemmon will make very important decisions which determine whether the Hare Krishnas can collect funds for their free food programs.”

https://fsjna.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/krishna-restaurant-2012.jpg

Based on the misleading information distributed in the Krishna flyer, neighbors voiced their concerns. FSJNA obtained the court documents in this link on April 9, 2012 and the issue was discussed at the April 9, 2012 FSJNA Board meeting.

1983

Residents claim the Krishnas at 2936 Esplanade Avenue have caused parking problems, committed building code violations, stripped gardens to decorate their altar and brought transients into the neighborhood with their free meal program.

On September 19, 1983, the Krishnas appeared before the Board of Zoning Adjustments asking to build a small addition to their temple. The board denied the request, in part because the addition would have extended over the Krishna’s property line.

Members of the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association appeared at the meeting with a petition signed by 46 residents, saying the Krishnas are a detriment to the neighborhood.

The Krishnas own the Esplanade temple and rent 22 apartments in 10 buildings in the vacinity, most of them on Gayoso, Desoto and Crete streets. In New Orleans, it is illegal for more than four unrelated adults to live together.

Click here for the extensive article about the Krishnas operation in the October 9, 1983 Times Picayune.

2007

Neighbors report:
Krishnas yelling to get each other’s attention at all hours of the night, play loud music, use vacuum cleaners on the cabs at 3 am and park next to fire hydrants and in driveways of others.

Krishnas 2007

2012

The flyer from the Krishnas that you can view in the link below specifically mentions that the court case affects their ability to sell food. The city council passed a law cracking down on aggressive solicitation, and the Hare Krishnas are seeking to have it overturned.
https://fsjna.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/krishna-restaurant-2012.jpg

The Krishnas add to the eclectic mix of people in Faubourg St. John but the neighbors don’t like the negative impact their actions have on the quality of life in their neighborhood.

Click on any photo for a larger view.

2552 St. Philip Gets New Life

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UPDATE December 6, 2014

You can see the WWL’s story in the video below. WWL TV should have the story up on their LINKS ON 4 page soon.

UPDATE: A “Police Jail and Patrol Station” built in the turn of the 20th century in the Esplanade Ridge neighborhood was auctioned off for $175,000 Friday, according to city officials.

The 6,291-square foot Queen Anne and French Renaissance Revival-style building, located at 2552 St. Philip Street, was given a market value of $175,000 in September 2012.  It is “in very poor condition,” with “substantial flooding and roof damage,” according to an appraisal done by Stegall, Benson and Associates, LLC for the city of New Orleans.

According to Tyler Gamble, the city’s press secretary, Liz and Raul Canache purchased the property.

December 16, 2013
http://midcitymessenger.com/2013/12/16/st-philip-street-police-station-from-1902-auctioned-for-175000/

 

by Charlie London | February 28, 2012
Property Disposition 12/12: Consideration of the sale of 2552 Saint Philip Street, Lots 99 and 100, Square 322, in the Second Municipal District, bounded by Saint Philip, Dumaine, North Rocheblave and North Dorgenois Streets. (ZBM C-13, PD-4)


You may remember that I have been passionate about the restoration of 2552 St. Philip for many years now. I happened upon the property while surveying the area after moving to Faubourg St. John after my previous house was destroyed by the Federal Flood. I literally gasped when I first saw the property. It is a stunning architectural gem of serious historical significance.
I am happy to announce today that dream of getting the property restored may indeed become a reality… with your help. You see, the city wants to auction 2552 St. Philip off to the highest bidder. I hear you saying, “so what, I can’t afford that!” Maybe not, but you may know someone who can. Let’s work together to find someone who will provide the care and restoration this property so desperately needs.

There are many people who helped bring this city property up for auction. Michelle Kimball of the Preservation Resource Center has been a stalwart fan of 2552 St. Philip and deserves much of the credit for keeping the pressure on the city to do something with it. The Louisiana Landmarks Society was also instrumental in bringing attention to 2552 St. Philip when it listed it as one of its “New Orleans 9 Most Endangered Properties”.

Former Councilperson Shelley Midura and present Councilperson Susan Guidry both of New Orleans Council District A and their staffs were also extremely helpful.

2552 St Philip Street was included in a presentation given to the Council Housing and Human Services Committee yesterday. It is among the City’s first list of surplus properties to be auctioned.

2552 St. Philip is just one of the historic city-owned properties being demolished by neglect…

Restoring City-owned historic properties would create anchors of positive development throughout New Orleans and give a big boost to our restoration efforts. My previous blog posts about 2552 St. Philip are in the links below:

PHOTO and DESCRIPTION of 2552 St. Philip
http://katrinafilm.wordpress.com/2009/04/28/2552-st-philip-street/

DONATION OF CITY PROPERTY
http://katrinafilm.wordpress.com/2009/05/29/donation-of-city-property/

CITY DEMOLISHES PROPERTY BY NEGLECT
http://katrinafilm.wordpress.com/2009/05/28/581/

PHOTO and DESCRIPTION of 2552 St. Philip
http://katrinafilm.wordpress.com/2009/04/28/2552-st-philip-street/

CITY PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2012

PUBLIC HEARING: 1:30 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER (CITY HALL -1E07)

THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROVISIONS OF THE REVISED STATUTES OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND THE CITY CHARTER REGARDING PROPERTY DISPOSITIONS, WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2012 FOLLOWING THE ZONING PUBLIC HEARING, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER (CITY HALL 1E07), ON THE FOLLOWING PROPOSED PROPERTY DISPOSITIONS.

Article below sent in by Robert Thompson | click on the article below for a larger view
1984dec28-stphilip2552