New Berwick subdivision receives preliminary approval

Development of a subdivision adjacent to Renwick Subdivision took a step forward Tuesday when the Berwick Town Council gave preliminary approval of plans for the 16.2 acre tract of land.
Following a public hearing, developer Fernand Privat of Privat General Contractors in Lafayette said he would purchase the land within the next 10 days.
Privat said he met with the Renwick Homeowners Association prior to the council meeting to assure them that the new subdivision would meet the same standards the town implemented for Renwick.
The developer said he is using the same engineering firm the town used and will hire local contractors in this, his 14th subdivision development. Privat also said he is using local banks for financing.
During a public hearing on the matter, Bryant Dozar, a resident of Renwick, asked if the access to the new subdivision had to pass through Renwick Drive. He said it would be a safer situation if it were accessed from Fairview Drive.
Dozar said it’s already hazardous to leave the subdivision during morning school traffic and adding another 60 or so homes would complicate the situation. Privat said he would take that into consideration during the planning phase.
At previous meetings, the council was informed that all of the lots will be single-family, residential lots, and the exact number and dimensions of the lots will be determined in the engineering phase of the project.
In other action Tuesday, the council:
—Announced that trick-or-treat will be observed from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.
—Expanded the agenda to pass a resolution requesting the overlay of La. 182 from Cameron Iron Works to U.S. 90 be included on the state’s priority road list.
—Learned the town’s recreation committee is planning to purchase new play equipment to replace the aging pirate ship and others in the area near town hall.
—Approved a liquor permit for Bayou Lagniappe, which will open in the old Bee Bee’s Seafood building on Bowman Street.
—Approved a permit for the Double Trouble Bridge Run to be held at 8 a.m. Nov. 1.
—Passed a resolution declaring Red Ribbon Week as Oct. 17-26 and a separate resolution supporting constitutional amendments 3 and 10 on the Nov. 4 ballot. The amendments govern allowing third parties to be contracted by municipalities to assist with the sales tax process.
—Announced that the Berwick Celebration of Life and Light will be held Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., near the Brown House Museum on Third Street.
—Gave authorization to enter into a seclusion agreement between the parish and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.