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Posted on May 9 at 6:38 a.m.

Thank you Mr. McColliser for getting to the heart of the Southdowns cancer. To think that someone would sacrifice our children's future for the outside chance that Rouzan would be forced back to the Metro Council is appalling.

What makes it worse is that the “Southdowns Library” in Rouzan will cost taxpayers less than the Burbank site. The developer has not only agreed to donate the land but also do all the design for the new building. If the library is moved to Burbank, significant amount of taxpayer’s money will be required just for infill, to raise it above the flood line, and then there are the design costs for the building.

As a long time Southdowns resident, I find the continuing actions of a few of the Southside Civic Association Board members very childish.

I hope others in Baton Rouge follow Richyb and let the Library Board know that placing the new library at Burbank instead of Perkins in Rouzan is ridiculous.

On Welcome, Albemarle headquarters

Posted on December 18 at 12:13 p.m.

JR, very good information about Mr. Morton. We sometimes forget about the visionaries who are willing to take a risk to better our community.

I found your comments about Arden interesting. I've been trying to follow this project for some time, but there appears to be little information. The only items I could find were at http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/printerf...
and
www.dpz.com/pdf/CRP%20Press%20Release%20...

Do you have any additional information on this development?

On Thanks, Camm

Posted on December 13 at 12:08 p.m.

Orchid, right on with the comments... I live in Southdowns too. Where were the SCA board members up to just a few weeks ago? Oh, I remember, hanging anti rouzan signs in their yards, spreading disinformation, interrupting JTS neighborhood meetings, creating a stop rouzan web site, sending hate mail to Mr. Skyring. With all other options off the table, now they want a TND… but lets build it with density similar to A-1.

As far as density, if JTS agrees to 700 that's a density of 5.8, which is almost the minimum. The lowest he could go and still be within the TND ordinance is 608 units. I still would like to know what makes the members of the neighborhood boards qualified to determine what the density should be? Most of them don’t even understand the concept.

Also, who speaks for the numerous neighbors who want this TND? Bo Thomas? She clearly stated that these were not her opinions, but that of CPEX. Ms. Thomas publicly stated she fears losing friendships that are important to her if she personally backs Rouzan.

On What now?

Posted on December 10 at 9:56 p.m.

Wow, just sat through the whole planning meeting. Good or bad Southdown homeowners do love their way of life, if only they knew how much better life could be.

One thing I got out of the discussions tonight is some of the proponents, most of the oponents, and most of the planning commissioners have no clue what a TND actual is. With so much misunderstand no wonder people are scared.

On What will Kip do?

Posted on December 9 at 8:16 a.m.

Sweetbriar Street dead ends at Dauphine. Per the plan to be presented on December 10, 2007 to the PC, Dauphine will be connected to the development. Per the UDC all existing roads have to be connected, neither Ms. Perkins nor Mr. Spinosa can make this change. Only the PC and Metro Council have the authority to approve this type of waiver.

On The battle over Rouzan

Posted on November 26 at 12:13 p.m.

I have two problems with this editorial. The first is the use of the term NIMBY. The so-called NIMBY is usually a concerned citizen that falls into two categories; those who know what a particular project is about and those who think they know but don’t – both opposing it but having a vested interest in the area.

From my discussions with numerous neighbors in the Southdowns area, I believe most of those against this development fall into the second category. There is so much wrong information about this project it is mind-boggling (this is supported by this editorial and many of the postings). I know the developer has tried to have three meetings with the neighbors and they usually start off well, but are sidetracked by people who are opposed to this development. The last informational meeting went pretty well, since those opposed could not get a foothold due to the open nature of the meeting.

When the Mayor-President requested the last rezoning meeting should be deferred I thought finally our elected officials are going to get involved and organize an informational forum so that all people could get the facts and make an informed decision, but it appears that it was cancelled for strictly political reasons (upcoming elections), which is a real shame.

My second problem with this editorial is when this development was portrayed as a “City within a City”, which is so wrong and goes to the core of some of the concerns I’ve heard from my neighbors. This project would be accurately described as “A Neighborhood amongst existing Subdivisions.”

We have friends that live in a TND in Lafayette, Louisiana called River Ranch. This is a wonderful neighborhood that integrates well into the surrounding subdivisions. I wish I could afford to live there but my job and income make it prohibitive.

This project is a once in a lifetime opportunity for this area and is too important to leave it uninformed citizens to decide.

On Rouzan hell

Posted on November 23 at 9:54 a.m.

I was trying to find more information about this topic when I came across www.for-rouzan.org Has anybody else looked at this site? Looks like it's from some of our neighbors?

On A better idea

Posted on November 14 at 7:57 p.m.

I agree with DOT on every point made. I did not mean to imply that I thought posting of signs on public property was acceptable. I agree signs should only be placed on personal property and out of the right of way. I was only trying to make the point of a double standard.

Who cares who Jon_Deaux is or isn’t. He’s still entitled to his opinion.

On A better idea

Posted on November 14 at 8:19 a.m.

I have been watching this comment section for sometime since it appears to be the only place that people can express their thoughts on this TND proposed for the old Ford Farm. I'm a resident of Southdowns and live very close to the old farm. I’m for this project if the developer would build it more to scale of the neighborhood.

What has upset me the most is the lack of coverage the people for this project has received. I was watching the news last night and it appears that someone went around the neighborhood last night tearing down some of the anti Rouzan signs. This is terrible and I think everyone has the right to express his or her opinion.

But nowhere did anyone mention the hundreds of signs that were torn down on Saturday morning the people FOR the project posted around the neighborhood. KateMcLean noted in an earlier post she saw the SSCA people tearing them down. I don’t know who did this but I do know it happened. I noticed the signs going up Friday and by Friday evening they were everywhere as I drove through the whole neighborhood to see. The next morning when I was driving to the store, I noticed they were gone around my home. Once again I drove through the neighborhood and it looked like they had all been torn down.

The SSCA President was on the news last night saying stuff about freedom of speech and even added a comment about “massacred by the cowards in the night. “ on his website. Well it sounds like both sides have cowards that do their dirty work in the night.

If the SSCA President is so concern about freedom of speech, why has he not condoned the behavior of his members. Sometimes I wonder if Southdowns is becoming 1939 Germany.

On A better idea