A redesigned proposal for an RV park on the west end of Sam Houston Jones Parkway was unanimously approved Thursday by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury.

The original proposal would have allowed 75 RV spots, but the new proposal will allow 42.

“It’s not what we set out to design and have, but it beats not getting developed,” said developer Mister Edwards, who is also Lake Charles director of public works.

The planning and zoning board denied the park 6-4 on March 19 after a public hearing.

Edwards twice asked the Police Jury to defer voting on the matter for 30 days ­— to have survey work done and to hold a public hearing with the Ward 1 Economic Development Board, said Wes Crain, the parish’s director of planning and development.

Under the redesign, only the part of the property away from the road will be rezoned to allow for the RV park, with the property along Sam Houston Jones Parkway remaining commercially zoned. A 6-foot wooden privacy fence is also to be installed around the property.

The new design will mean fewer amenities, Edwards said.

Police Jury President Shannon Spell, in whose district the park will sit, asked that his vote be recorded as a yes although he normally votes only to break ties.

“That case and project is in my district; I felt I needed to be accountable,” Spell said. “I believe that a very reasonable compromise was offered by the developer, and I believe some of the concerns, not all, but some of the concerns of the residents were addressed. In this case, where there was a reasonable compromise obtained, I believe that it should move forward.”

Edwards said he was surprised to be met with opposition.

“I still think it will be a good development,” he said. “Now we have to look at other developments on the front of the property that will have to be commercial.”

(mgnonline.com)

(Michelle Higginbotham / American Press)