Walnut Grove on Sallier Street and Morganfield in east Lake Charles are two multi-use developments that will stress the attributes of traditional neighborhoods, according to officials at City Hall.

Both developments will stress living areas where people can easily walk and bike, along with enjoying open spaces among homes and businesses.

Because the American urban planning model champions these types of communities, City Hall is making attempts to pass an ordinance that outlines what traditional neighborhood developments should look like.

The city’s planning office has put together a proposal that the City Council will vote on in the coming weeks.

City spokesman Russ Adams made a presentation detailing the proposal during Tuesday’s agenda meeting.

“This is a throwback in a way communities developed before auto usage became so widespread,” Adams said.

He said baby boomers and young adults want these types of neighborhoods, of which River Ranch in Lafayette is considered one of south Louisiana’s best success stories.

“I think this is a good trend for developers to pursue,” Adams said. “And it streamlines the permitting process.”

The thought among city planners is that a developer can choose to construct a traditional neighborhood development using the city’s general plans, and that would keep investors from having to obtain so many different zoning variances.

“Yes, this is just another tool in a developer’s tool box which allows them to avoid variances,” City Council President Mark Eckard said.

Councilman Stuart Weatherford said the development plans from River Ranch and communities in Baton Rouge served as a template for the work done by City Hall workers.

“We had a real good starting point,” he said.

Mayor Randy Roach said the chance to set voluntary building standards is a different approach for the municipal government to take.

“This creates a new style of subdivision,” he said. “It has worked well in other communities. A lot of work was done on this ordinance.”

Walnut Grove on Sallier Street and Morganfield in east Lake Charles are two multi-use developments that will stress the attributes of traditional neighborhoods

K Wink