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New Orleans CityBusiness - New Orleans condo project idea angers neighbors

The condo project known as Tracage Development LLC isn't even built yet but it already has a sour relationship with some neighbors.

The residents of Lengsfield Lofts, an adjacent condo development in the same block, are irate about Tracage. Opponents say the 23- story development at John Churchill Chase and Annunciation Streets would block their views, increase traffic, destroy the ambiance of the Warehouse District and lower their property values.

Residents are also miffed because they claim they were not given proper notification of public hearings at which the developers were granted certain waivers in January from the Board of Zoning Adjustments.

Residents learned of the project in February, said Keith Perrin, Lengsfield Lofts condo association president.

That was somewhat disconcerting that we hadn't had any input into the process for a zoning variance that was so close to us, Perrin said.

Russ Herman, a lawyer and resident of Lengsfield Lofts, said Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Lloyd Medley signed a preliminary injunction roughly five weeks ago prohibiting the waivers.

Tracage developers say they want to work with the Lengsfield Lofts residents. The developers said they withdrew their first proposal and filed another one with the City Planning Commission rather than argue about whether the notice was sufficient or not to give all the current residents a role in the decision making process.

One waiver allowed the developers to put more parking in the building to decrease off-street parking, the developers said. The other waiver increased the floor area ratio, which will allow retail space, which will benefit the neighborhood, the developers said.

The size of the building, developers said, complies with city zoning regulations. The issue will go before City Planning Commission June 27.

Copyright 2006 Dolan Media Newswires
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.


 
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