National homebuilder DR Horton began groundwork on the Lakes at Jones Creek development more than two weeks before receiving a permit from the city-parish.
The homebuilder was working on the site—near the intersection of Jones Creek Road and Coursey Boulevard—in late July despite not being issued the necessary permit until Aug. 8, Shannon Dupont, the city-parish engineer for subdivisions, told WBRZ-TV.
Dupont told Daily Report that the homebuilders were given a verbal cease and desist order until Aug. 8 after city-parish officials learned of the activity from residents of the area, and that he’s meeting with the parish attorney’s office and Director of Development Carey Chauvin to discuss fines against DR Horton.
“You can’t perpetuate a violation without a penalty,” Dupont says. “I think residents are kind of fed up with that.”
It’s unclear when the city-parish learned that DR Horton was doing groundwork on the project. The controversial 425-lot development has stoked concerns about flood risk in the area, which flooded during the August 2016 flood.
Representatives with DR Horton were unable to be reached for comment before this afternoon’s deadline.
The Planning Commission approved the project late last year and the homebuilder bought the land last month.
