an editorial

Spot Zoning's adverse effects and ramifications fail to preserve the integrity of our residential neighborhoods, result in a piece meal of yet another land use plan developed without thoughtful deliberations, and make any assemblance of a public input process a charade from the beginning. Instead of a recovery plan that protects our right to secure tenure, the shift continues toward industry, undermining our health and that of our children.
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Developed as the master land use plan through the work and recommendation of the Citizens Recovery Committee, and adopted by the Council in 2006 http://www.docstoc.com/docs/31788261/Council-Resolution-to-Accept-Master-Land-Use-Plan-St-Bernard-Parish , the Waggoner and Ball Plan http://www.docstoc.com/docs/16762854/Citizens-Recovery-Committee-MasterPlan-April-2006 was submitted to and accepted by theLouisiana Recovery Authority Board as the foundation for the St Bernard Parish Recovery Plan .

Subsequent zoning changes allowed by Council ordinance, which are incompatible with the existing land use maps, seem to arbitrarily enforce local code. Although recently "modernized" with the advice of Donald Poland, a professional planner made available through a grant from the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the local Code of Ordinances Chapter 22 Zoning (available online at MuniCode) left residential properties unprotected. The minimal allowance or required buffer between heavy industry and residential remains unchanged at a mere 100 feet.

Recently introduced dockets, if granted, will allow industrial zoning adjacent to residential homes with even less protective footage; not to mention nearby churches and schools. {Docket 7 - 10 Municipal No. 328 West St Bernard Hwy at Delille Street, Petition for Zoning Change from C2 General Commercial to I1 Industrial} .

It's time for St Bernard Parish to move away from politically motivated zoning changes. That authority should remain with the Planning Commissioners, with appeals of planning decisions heard in State Court.

NOTICE

our neighborhood is slowly being re-zoned without any additional safety measures

Public Hearing March 23rd 4pm
Council Chambers

Petition by Murphy Oil to change three residential lots in our neighborhood from residential to commercial zoning.

Introduction of Ordinance at Council Meeting Tuesday March 16th 1pm.

Comments can be submitted to the Planning Commissioners c/o the Office of Community Development. Comments can be submitted to the Council Members c/o of Council Clerk.

Air Quality Readings

The Air Quality Readings have been high for SO2 at the CHAL_VISTA Site Monitor.

The particulate matter reading in St Bernard Parish is not included in the New Orleans Region Air Quality Index.

March 10 2010 is a good example:


http://www.scribd.com/doc/28238616/2010-March-10-Air-Monitoring-Data-CHAL-VISTA-Site-Data

known as CH_VISTA Site on DEQs website under site data at this link
http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/tabid/2831/Default.aspx

there goes the neighborhood

RE: Docket 5 - 10 Murphy Oil petition for zoning change

This zoning change is contrary to the Petition and Vision of our neighborhood presented in August 2008; contrary to the land use plan (the Waggoner and Ball Plan) adopted by the Council in 2006; it is spot zoning or piecemealing of a master land use plan without the appropriate thoughtful deliberations and public input opportunities; it does nothing to create and preserve a truly protective green zone buffer and shifts the balance towards industry; that shift towards industry undermines our health and safety and does nothing to address the heavy truck traffic on Despaux Drive.

The Council passed resolution not to allow ANY zoning changes by Murphy Oil until Murphy revealed their master plan for the plant and the residential lots. That has failed to occur. The residents of these neighborhoods around Murphy have presented their plan and our elected officials need to support their constituents.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/31788261/Council-Resolution-to-Accept-Master-Land-Use-Plan-St-Bernard-Parish
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/16762854/Citizens-Recovery-Committee-MasterPlan-April-2006

"Katrina the Clown"

Our Community Parade Sunday had a special participant: Katrina the Clown from The New Orleans Levee Newspaper

home to heavy industry

"...the cumulative effect of the pollution is too dangerous not to take actions." "We have to be realistic that you can reach a saturation point in certain neighborhoods,".....

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100203/METRO01/2030371/Southwest-Detroit-residents-want-industrial-development-halted-in-neighborhood

As in Southwest Detroit, St Bernard Parish's State Air monitoring sites in and near the Chalmette Vista neighborhoods show some of the highest, if not the highest, levels for PM 2.5 and SO2; criteria pollutants linked to health problems.

known as CH_VISTA Site on DEQs website under site data at this link

http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/tabid/2831/Default.aspx

Although the monitors sometimes have technical difficulties, such as the PM 2.5 readings in late February, on Feb 25 2010 the CH_VISTA air monitor showed the type of unacceptable spikes in SO2 which occur in community.

This type of short-term exposure to sulfur dioxide undermines our health, and that of our children. EPA proposed SO2 standard changes in 2009 and is expected to issue the new one hour standard in June 2010. ""Exposure to SO2 can aggravate asthma, cause respiratory difficulties, and result in emergency room visits and hospitalization. People with asthma, children, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to SO2’s effects.""

The PM 2.5 readings from St Bernard Parish are not currently included in the New Orleans Area's Air Quality Index, at same link. Truck traffic and coker units, along with barges and other shipping on the river, contribute to this situation.

""EPA strengthened the air quality standards for particle pollution in 2006. Learn more about the 2006 fine particle standards. ""

""The 2006 standards tighten the 24-hour fine particle standard from 65 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) to 35 µg/m3, and retain the current annual fine particle standard at 15 µg/m3.""
http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/

Gulf Coast Civic Works

Whether by inaction or injustice, we still have failed to protect the rights and wellbeing of Gulf Coast survivors, immigrants and their families, especially the children, the elderly, the poor, the sick, and the vulnerable. The collapse of local institutions, homelessness, internal displacement, poverty, abusive labor practices and environmental degradation mean communities continue to suffer and struggle unduly......Serving as a model for engaging residents in disaster recovery and sustainable economic development.

Gulf Coast Civic Works
http://www.rfkcenter.org/files/Gulf_Coast_Civic_Works_to_Speaker_Pelosi.pdf