Zoning Committee

The Civic Association now has a Zoning Committee, chaired by Bob Benedict, to look into complaints about zoning violations. To contact the committee, e-mail zoning_committee@universityhills70808.net.

Bob is looking for members for this new committee. If you'd like to help, contact him at 769‑1401 or by e-mail at zoning_committee@universityhills70808.net.

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Abandoned Properties Report: 6/5/2009

During the past year we have been working on problems at 6 or more locations, concentrating on the four listed below. We have been successful with the first two and are making real progress with the last two.

• 545 Centenary Dr.

Eric Ponti, who previously owned the property, ultimately became convinced that the cost (probably both economically and politically) was not worth it and put the house up for sale. The new owners have really fixed it up. We should be very happy to have them as neighbors.

• 4665 Tulane Dr.

This location, which had been uninhabitable for several years, was pushed through the necessary legal process and was torn down and removed by the city. The lot doesn't look so great, but it is much better to have the house gone. We will now be working on seeing what can be legally done, and when, to keep it from being an eyesore.

• 529 Centenary Dr.

This is the property owned by Frank Fontana, a New Orleans lawyer, who knows how to work the system, but that has not stopped us from making some progress. About a year ago we were able to work with the Parish Attorney's office to get a judgment against him. He began a series of maneuvers to delay things, but we have persisted. The Parish Attorney's office informed me on 6/3 that a court date of September 21, 09 has been set to hold him in contempt for not complying with directives related to the first action. We have a few actions in mind with which to keep the pressure on Fontana.

• 4615 Tulane Dr.

This is, of course, the big eyesore at the intersection of Delgado and Tulane. After considerable effort, it now appears that the owner, David Bazzell, has come forward to apologize for the condition of his property. On 6/3/09 he wrote an email to the Association board in which he stated "I expect to have the initial cleanup completed within the next week, and I assure you that I will keep it maintained in the future." Hopefully, we can depend on this.

• McGlynn property behind Druid Circle.

There has been activity by one or more persons during the past year who have wanted to purchase several acres along the bayou for the purpose of developing it. So far they have all been discouraged from doing so upon learning that they would face serious opposition to the rezoning that would be required for the projects they had in mind.

Please send me an email (rcwbsr@aol.com) or call me at 769-1401 if you want more information, have information you can provide, or want to work with our committee on these projects.

To main Zoning page.