Berwick puts moratorium on new subdivisions

BERWICK — The Town Council voted Tuesday to impose a moratorium of up to 2½ months on new subdivisions while officials examine the rules that govern development.
But the moratorium won’t affect two subdivisions already planned for northern Berwick.
Council member Troy Lombardo proposed the moratorium, which passed on a voice vote.
Lombardo said the rules for new subdivisions need examination and, possibly, revision. His example: The town government is equipped to maintain concrete streets but not those paved with asphalt. The subdivision rules allow developers to pave with asphalt.
After the meeting, Mayor Louis Ratcliff cited the same example. Other possible problems: The subdivision regulations in this hurricane-prone region don’t require underground utilities. Council members Duval Arthur and Damon Robison worried that the moratorium might scare away new development.
“I don’t want to stymie growth or send a message out to the public that we’re not interested in new subdivisions,” Arthur said.
Robison said he wants “to make sure the people developing subdivisions know they can operate under the existing subdivision rules.”
The inclusion of a June 1 end date for the moratorium eliminated Arthur’s objection. Robison was the only vote against the moratorium, which passed 5-1.
The council was unanimous when it approved April 14 public hearing dates for the two proposed subdivisions: Fairview Park, with 59 proposed lots south of Fairview Drive and west of Renwick; and River Bend, with an initial 11 lots near Fairview. Fairview Park is being developed by Fernand Privat. Cajun Sunrise LLC is developing River Bend.
In other business, the council:
—Voted to back the St. Mary Parish School Board’s March 28 operation and maintenance tax renewal proposition. If renewed for 10 years, the 12.17-mill tax would continue to provide about $2 million a year for schools in the Berwick-Patterson area.
—Honored Walter Shepherd during the “The Beacon Shines” portion of the agenda. Shepherd, a New Orleans native, was headed for a career as a police officer before changing paths at the last minute to study music at Nicholls State. His first job was in Berwick, where he taught music and band for 33 years before retiring two years ago.

This story was written by Bill Decker of The Daily Review staff. Reach him at bdecker@daily-review.com