recycling cement slabs

particulates matter

located within a mile of the newly redeveloped Val Riess baseball fields, and within just a few blocks of  family neighborhoods, concrete dumps and cement chipping for recycling are not helping the air quality. nor is it protective of public health

concrete slabs stockpiled along the 40 arpent canal; the pink and red colored slabs indicate asbestos encapsulation, possibly from asbestos flooring tiles and mastic

the St Bernard Parish Council recently passed an emergency re-zoning ordinance to help facilitate the quick removal of stockpiled slabs from the 40 arpent canal.  The concrete will be moved to an E Law Street location within an existing industrial area.  Re-zoning was required to grant a conditional use for concrete grinding and chipping.  The emergency ordinance did not require a public hearing, although the planning commission conducted one the following week. 

The stockpiled slabs pose a weight-bearing concern for the 40 arpent canal and the concrete grinding and chipping will help recycle the concrete for use in levee t-wall work in the eastern district of the parish. Without proper dust suppression, the nearby family neighborhoods and ball park will be effected by particulate matter and other emissions associated with concrete chipping.

What's next on the Menu ?

Chalmette's Today's Ketch expands to adjacent properties

June 14 2010 by Frank McCormack

Public Library Board of Control Meeting

Library Board of Control - Third Monday of Each Month


NEXT MEETING June 21, 2010

Postponed May 2010 Meeting Agenda

March 2010 Meeting Minutes

April 20 2010 Remarks to Council
Seeking Justice for the Public Library

Oil Leak EXPO

Oil Spill Responders to Hold St. Bernard Parish Community EXPO June 16 ... Representatives from BP, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Wildlife and Fisheries, ... host an Open House Expo Wednesday, June 16th at the St. Bernard Council on Aging, 6 to 8 PM

PUBLIC HEARING Tuesday June 15 1PM

Arabi Park Subdivision
1600 Block  Aycock and Esteban at Judge Perez

Council Meeting Tuesday June 15, 2010 1PM
PUBLIC HEARING on zoning change from R1 residential to C1 Neighborhood Commercial

PUBLIC HEARING: Tuesday June 15 2010
Council Meeting 1pm

Arabi Park Subdivision 1600 Block Aycock and Esteban at Judge Perez
Summary No. 2655, an ordinance to approve Docket 4-10, a petition of the St. Bernard Parish Planning Commission to the St. Bernard Parish Council to consider a map change from "R, 1, (single family residential)" to "C-1, (neighborhoodcommercial)" for four lots situated in Arabi Park Subdivision, designated as Lot "1", Square "a"; Lot "29", Square "b"; and Lots "1" and "2", Square "c".

The Council's considerations for a parish-wide re-zoning of all properties within 250 feet of Judge Perez Drive could result in parking lots, dumpsters, commercial traffic and other nuisances coming to any residential street.

House Committee Hearings

"Citizens suits like this one happened because refinery neighbors had to take enforcement into our own hands; federal and state enforcement was and is not happening. The situation is truly desperate. Accidents in the industry are ongoing but the agencies are not enforcing the law. We have been shouting about this problem for years."  --  LABB Founding Director, Anne Rolfes, Testifies with the House Committee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, Thursday June 10, 2010

Read her testimony  here .

seems only the residents are compromising

The Council voted unanimously to grant commercial zoning to two Murphy-owned lots in our residential neighborhood.  Docket 5 - 10 zoning change

 Essentially, they granted a variance to their own ordinance, which clearly states commercial property SHALL NOT exceed 250 feet from a major highway. The Council does not have the authority to grant variances- only the Board of Zoning Adjustments does. Even a former planning commissioner pointed out that a previous docket's review by parish attorney(s) required resubdivision of lots so not to extend commercial property beyond 250 feet.  When questioned, the perspective buyer indicated he had not approached Murphy about resubdivision of the lots. Such re-subdivision would be a reasonable compromise and would minimize the adverse effects on the residents. It leaves plenty of room for the refinery catering contractor to store his equipment.  Yet, without it, parking, truck traffic, dumpsters for the seafood catering business and other nuisances will encroach further into this family neighborhood.  It was also mentioned that the catering trailers return late at night !

Residents still wonder what else Murphy Oil has on the menu. They had initially asked for the cater to use the available commercial property on the highway.  That lot can accommodate the business' expansion and re-zoning  is not required.


At a recent meeting with the new refinery manger, residents were asked to co-operate with the refinery and be that extra set of eyes and hears for issues at the plant. Residents were also told Murphy Oil Couldnot construct anything on the properties in the green-belt. Yet, we already have a petrochemical testing lab in the green-belt. After pointing out that this Docket's purchase agreements have expired, residents asked Murphy Oil to co-operate with the neighborhood and not extend the agreements.