Town of Carrollton Watch

28/01/2023

"Road hog!"—Doddamani barricades Joseph St. for his private construction project at 5533-35 S. Tonti—Doddamani's why Broadmoor needs zoning regulation (posted on Jan. 28, 2023)

City Planning Commissioners said on Jan. 24 that they didn't know why Broadmoor needs Giarrusso's amended University Area IZD. So they excepted Broadmoor (along with Leonidas) from their motion of approval, which sent the amended IZD, in a 7-2 vote, to the City Council.

Seems the Commissioners had no idea that the Board of Zoning Adjustments—which is technically part of the CPC—heard six or seven Broadmoor neighbors complain bitterly on Dec. 5, 2022, about seasoned D2D developer Ravi Doddamani and his latest incursion into the neighborhood—at 5533-35 S. Tonti, where he has added a six-bedroom annex to a traditional four-bedroom house—for lucrative rentals as private student housing. (See yellow addition to house in attached photographs.)

This past week (Jan. 25-26), Doddamani cordoned off Joseph Street so a couple of Bobcats could work unhindered on digging up the back of the lot, where a parking pad will be installed in the old backyard.

A construction dumpster stood in the middle of the street. The license plates had been removed from the contractor's pick-up truck and construction trailer to hide identifying information from residents.

Doddamani is known for his forthrightness with neighbors. Ask him what's going on, and his usual response is: "None of your business." He also brags about his connections at City Hall. He had no trouble getting by the BZA last month; and now the CPC is turning a blind eye too.

Broadmoor neighbors are asked to write to City Councilmembers to oppose private dormitory development. Please ask the City Council explicitly to keep Broadmoor/Marlyville in the University Area IZD. The matter will go to the City Council by late March.

[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

Personnel:
Ravi Doddamani, dba ESN Property, LLC
Christopher E. Johnson, architect
Katherine Swartout, attorney (BZA hearing, Dec. 5, 2022)

28/01/2023

Carrollton/Black Pearl items on the N.O. HDLC Agenda for Wed., Feb. 1 (posted on Jan. 27, 2023)

Some neighborhood buildings are on the Agenda for the Feb. 1, 2023, HDLC hearing at 12:30 p.m. in City Council chambers. Meeting materials were posted by HDLC Staff today.

Please see more information at the Agenda links.

(1) 1023 Cambronne—partial (but extensive) demolition of a contributing-rated residential home. HDLC Staff has no objection, but recommends retaining more of the original house:
https://sites.google.com/view/no-cmm-020123/new-business-demolition-applications/1023-cambronne-st?authuser=0

Note: The Ehrensings (local developers) no longer own the 1890s-era house at 1023 Cambronne. The architect for the new owner is Greg Hackenberg, who co-incidentally serves as N.O. HDLC Commissioner for the Irish Channel Historic District. (The Ehrensings had applied for the full demolition of the house on July 21, 2022, but finally withdrew the application.)

(2) 7465 Pitt—full demolition of non-contributing residential building—HDLC Staff has no objection:
https://sites.google.com/view/no-cmm-020123/new-business-demolition-applications/7465-pitt-st?authuser=0

(3) 8500 Spruce —demolition of entire roof of a contributing-rated commercial structure—to build a second story. HDLC Staff recommends 50% roof demolition to camelback the building instead:
https://sites.google.com/view/no-cmm-020123/new-business-demolition-applications/8500-spruce-st?authuser=0

Please see the full Agenda for other business throughout the City:
https://sites.google.com/view/no-cmm-020123/agenda?authuser=0

A Code Enforcement presentation takes place early in the Agenda and should be of interest.

FOUR HDLC Commissioners' seats are still vacant: St. Charles Avenue (for over a year now); Lower Garden District; Esplanade Ridge; and Holy Cross.

Please send written public comments to [email protected] on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, by 4 p.m.

More about public commenting here:
https://nola.gov/next/hdlc/home/

26/01/2023

WE'RE GOING BACK—back to the BZA—on Mon., Feb. 6 (posted on Jan. 25, 2023)

We're appealing another Amicus D2D—this time at 1117 Pine Street. Please send an email of support by Monday, Jan. 30, at 5 p.m.

A BZA appeal has been docketed as "BZA010-23" for Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, to appeal the non-structural work permit issuance for Amicus Properties at 1117 Pine:
https://onestopapp.nola.gov/SummaryContent.aspx?type=Project&id=38017

Draft Agenda:
https://nola.gov/getattachment/NEXT/City-Planning/Meetings/Current-Year/2023/February/Board-of-Zoning-Adjustments/2-6-2023-10-00-00-AM/2-Draft-Agenda.pdf/

This is a new D2D. Six bedrooms (an increase of three) are suspected. Amicus Properties of NYC announced in March 2021 that they would no longer develop in residential neighborhoods. But here they are again.

Appellant is Town of Carrollton Watch, LLC, who contends that Safety and Permits failed to review the permit for the parking requirements of the new (amended) IZD. Here's the summary for their work permit:
https://onestopapp.nola.gov/SummaryContent.aspx?type=Permit&id=948338

Every new bedroom must be matched by an off-street parking place per the amended IZD, enacted on Oct. 6, 2022, a week before this permit was filed on Oct. 11:
https://townofcarrolltonwatch.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/M-449.pdf

Please send written public comments of support to [email protected] by Monday, Jan. 30, at 5 p.m. Mention "BZA010-23" in the subject line. Thanks!

More information about this development:
https://www.facebook.com/TownofCarrolltonWatch/posts/pfbid02Tz51cMA2ahqrTpX3mQgNdoaiaWzK4mw7rbf4AAUeo34giKQjoJ7pMK4FRjmLA11nl

26/01/2023

HDLC Informational session, Wed., Feb. 1, at noon (posted on Jan. 25, 2023)

Learn more about the New Orleans HDLC.

The New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission will host a Lunch-and-Learn on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 12:00 noon in the 7th Floor Conference Room, City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street.

The public is welcome.

Agenda:
I. HDLC Jurisdiction by District Review
II. Demolition Definition Review
III. Presentation of case studies
IV. Discussion

https://nola.gov/getattachment//NEXT/HDLC/Meetings/Agendas/New-Orleans-Agendas/Commission/2023/2-1-2023-12-00-00-AM/Lunch-and-Learn-Agenda-020123.pdf

Please attend—with your probing questions.

One example: if full-control HDLC jurisdiction is right for Carrollton, how do we go about obtaining it?

Image: old Carrollton Courthouse

24/01/2023

Amended University Area IZD passes the City Planning Commission (posted on Jan. 24, 2023)

The University Area IZD passed the CPC today, 7-2. But Commissioner Rob Steeg asked for a territorial limit—at So. Carrollton on the west and So. Claiborne to the north, which would exclude Hollygrove, Leonidas, Marlyville and Broadmoor. This was passed as part of his motion.

Won't Ravi Doddamani be pleased?

The City Council must take up this issue of re-establishing the IZD by March 31.

See link for video.
Timestamp for University IZD (ZD 100/22) is 01:04:49:
https://youtu.be/rvQXZCFxgp8?t=3885

Current map of D2Ds:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1ujmuD9pVcTyeRq55zF1xLec_oug8rZ7v&ll=29.963129777099127%2C-90.12139846259447&z=15

16/01/2023

Public comments due to the CPC by 5 p.m. today, Jan. 16, to support the amended University Area IZD (posted on Jan. 16, 2023)

On Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, the City Planning Commission will vote on Zoning Docket 100/22, which amends the text of the CZO to re-establish the University Area IZD for the expanded University Area Overlay territory, requiring off-street parking to match any increase of new bedrooms, one to one.
https://onestopapp.nola.gov/SummaryContent.aspx?type=Project&id=37863

See the text of the Oct. 6, 2022 City Council motion amending the IZD in Article 19:
https://townofcarrolltonwatch.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/M-449.pdf

Written public comments are due to [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16. (Please put “ZD 100/22” in the subject line.

Please write in to state that you support the amended IZD. It's important. Just the simple statement is enough.

The CPC's preliminary staff report,* and public comments already submitted by neighbors are in the OneStop folder here:
https://onestopapp.nola.gov/Documents.aspx?ObjLabel=Project&ID=37863

* File name is "ZD100-22 Deferral 1.10.23 with attachments.pdf"

Meeting Agenda:
https://nola.gov/getattachment/NEXT/City-Planning/Meetings/Current-Year/2023/Jan/City-Planning-Commission/1-24-2023-1-30-00-PM/CPC-agenda-for-01-24-23.pdf/

ALSO on the Agenda: Citywide short-term rental legislation will heard under docket number ZD 002/23:
https://onestopapp.nola.gov/SummaryContent.aspx?type=Project&id=38007

The preliminary staff report and public comment are available in this folder:
https://onestopapp.nola.gov/Documents.aspx?ObjLabel=Project&ID=38007

It's not an easy issue, of course. Many local homeowners who depend on residential STRs for their livelihood were present at the Dec. 13th CPC meeting to argue in support. (It's our opinion, anyway, that they need consideration.)

Both issues (the University Area IZD and the citywide STR issue) will go on to the City Council, of course, but input at this stage is still important. Both issues have been deferred from the Dec. 13 and Jan. 10 CPC meetings.

Thank you.

07/01/2023

Some research results from https://www.ethics.la.gov (posted on Jan. 6, 2023)

Tonight's research topic:
Political contributions by CAPITOL IMAGING, LLC:
https://coraweb.sos.la.gov/commercialsearch/CommercialSearchDetails.aspx?CharterID=1147301_56877FD9D0

Filer Name Report Type Source Description Date Amount
King III, Freddie F103 : SPCL - LA-100358 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 12/8/2021 $2,000.00
King III, Freddie F102 : 40G - LA-103233 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 12/8/2021 $2,000.00
King III, Freddie F102 : 30P - LA-100647 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 8/28/2021 $2,000.00
Brossett, Jared F102 : 30P - LA-99209 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
P.O. BOX 6022
METAIRIE, LA 70009 8/24/2021 $5,000.00
Moreno, Helena F102 : 90P - LA-98504 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
P.O. BOX 6022
METAIRIE, LA 70009 7/1/2021 $5,000.00
Morrell, Jean Paul F102 : 90P - LA-99301 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 5/20/2021 $2,500.00
Williams, Jason Rogers F103 : SPCL - LA-93445 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 12/2/2020 $5,000.00
Williams, Jason Rogers F102 : 40G - LA-101905 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 12/2/2020 $5,000.00
Walker, Scott F102 : ANN - LA-95850 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
P.O. BOX 6022
METAIRIE, LA 70009 11/23/2020 $1,000.00
Williams, Jason Rogers F102 : 10G - LA-93474 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 10/20/2020 $5,000.00
Edwards, John Bel F103 : SPCL - LA-82588 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009-6022 10/30/2019 $5,000.00
Edwards, John Bel F102 : 40G - LA-84822 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009-6022 10/30/2019 $5,000.00
Cantrell, LaToya F102 : ANN - LA-87401 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
POB 6022
Metairie, LA 70001 10/23/2019 $2,500.00
Henry, Charles A. F102 : 10P - LA-80238 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
P.O. BOX 6022
METAIRIE, LA 70009 9/19/2019 $2,500.00
Schlegel, Scott U. F102 : 30P - LA-78770 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
P O Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 9/1/2019 $2,500.00
Lopinto, III, Joseph P. F102 : 30P - LA-78735 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
P. O. Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 8/29/2019 $5,000.00
Jefferson Chamber PAC, F202 : 30P - LA-78596 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
P.O.Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 8/28/2019 $2,000.00
Sherman, Kea F102 : 30P - LA-78626 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
P.O. BOX 6022
METAIRIE, LA 70009 8/5/2019 $2,500.00
Johnston, Paul F102 : 30P - LA-81846 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
Post Office Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 7/31/2019 $1,000.00
Abraham, Dr. Ralph F102 : 90P - LA-77707 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING, LLC
PO BOX 6022
METAIRIE, LA 70009 7/4/2019 $1,000.00
Sangisetty, Ravi F102 : 30P - LA-79094 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009-6022 6/28/2019 $500.00
Young, Jr., John F. F102 : 90P - LA-77469 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING, LLC
P. O. Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 5/26/2019 $1,000.00
Lee-Sheng, Cynthia F102 : 90P - LA-77554 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009-6022 5/3/2019 $5,000.00
Henry, J. Cameron F102 : 30P - LA-78640 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO BOX 6022
METAIRIE, LA 70009 4/5/2019 $2,500.00
Edwards, John Bel F102 : ANN - LA-75648 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009-6022 11/1/2018 $5,000.00
F102 : ANN - LA-75965 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING, LLC
P.O. Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 11/1/2018 $5,000.00
Lopinto, III, Joseph P. F102 : SUP - LA-75042 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
P. O. Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 9/6/2018 $500.00
Brossett, Jared F102 : 90P - LA-71168 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
P. O. Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009-6022 7/13/2018 $5,000.00
Banks, Jay H. F102 : ANN - LA-77850 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING, LLC
P.O. Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 6/28/2018 $200.00
Lopinto, III, Joseph P. F102 : 10P - LA-69927 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
P. O. Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 3/2/2018 $1,000.00
Lopinto, III, Joseph P. F102 : 30P - LA-69515 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
P. O. Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 1/19/2018 $1,000.00
Charbonnet, Desiree F103 : SPCL - LA-66930 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 11/9/2017 $2,500.00
Charbonnet, Desiree F102 : 40G - LA-70458 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 11/9/2017 $2,500.00
Charbonnet, Desiree F102 : 40G - LA-71010 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 11/9/2017 $2,500.00
Cantrell, LaToya F103 : SPCL - LA-66427 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009-6022 10/13/2017 $2,500.00
Cantrell, LaToya F102 : 10G - LA-71894 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009-6022 10/13/2017 $2,500.00
Charbonnet, Desiree F102 : 90P - LA-69528 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
PO Box 6022
Metairie, LA 70009 6/20/2017 $2,500.00
Moreno, Helena F102 : 180P - LA-64459 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
P.O. BOX 6022
METAIRIE, LA 70009 4/6/2017 $2,500.00
Moreno, Helena F102 : ANN - LA-63032 CONTRIB CAPITOL IMAGING LLC
P.O. BOX 6022
METAIRIE, LA 70009 1/27/2016 $2,500.00

06/01/2023

Troubled "unofficial frat" at 7417 Burthe is sold to another LLC (posted on Jan. 6, 2023)

7417-19-21 Burthe has been purchased for $630,000 by Les Bon Temps Ventures, LLC, from Leborne, LLC. The transfer was listed in yesterday's Times-Picayune (Jan. 5).

Les Bon Temps Ventures, LLC, already owns the old Ione Apartments across the street at 838 Lowerline, purchased for $3,336,500 on March 10, 2022.

LLC registration here:
https://coraweb.sos.la.gov/commercialsearch/CommercialSearchDetails.aspx?CharterID=1641692_EBDF8EDB93

Attorney Allen Borne owned the Burthe Street triplex for over 20 years. Safety and Permits logged many violations at the house, most recently in early 2022:
https://onestopapp.nola.gov/SummaryContent.aspx?type=Code%20Incident&id=274026

Borne made an unsuccessful bid for the office of Public Service Commissioner in Dec. 2020:
https://ballotpedia.org/Allen_Borne_Jr.

02/01/2023

Broadway Street Holdings, LLC, will appear before the N.O. HDLC on Wed., Jan. 4, 2022 (posted on Jan. 1)

The corporate owner of 2220 Broadway (and other student rental properties) is asking for forgiveness (“retention”) of illegal partial demolition of the primary facade. The hearing starts at 1:30 p.m.

This demolition is governed by the new fine structure for illegal demolitions:
$1,000 to $25,000; or 15% of the assessed value (in this case, $100,440).

The complicated story of this violation is described here:
https://sites.google.com/view/nocmm010423/new-business-retention-applications/2220-broadway-st

Please write to [email protected] with a public comment by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Note that Broadway Street Holdings, LLC, has been cited for working without a permit at other properties:

7200 S Claiborne Ave
5/11/2022
https://onestopapp.nola.gov/SummaryContent.aspx?type=Code%20Incident&id=275227

2029 Broadway St
7/8/2022
https://onestopapp.nola.gov/SummaryContent.aspx?type=Code%20Incident&id=278780

Also—complaints have been sent to S&P since 11/28/2022 about unpermitted work at 7832-7834 Plum Street. But S&P has NOT responded.

Corporate profile for Broadway Street Holdings, LLC, at Secretary of State’s office:
https://coraweb.sos.la.gov/commercialsearch/CommercialSearchDetails.aspx?CharterID=1623816_F504A0E554

Agenda for Jan. 4, 2022 hearing:
https://sites.google.com/view/nocmm010423/agenda

(1) Photo by HDLC inspector Daniel Syal at Nov. 30, 2022;
(2) In comment section: photo before alleged Ida damage (unattributed)

31/12/2022

7929 Freret—Request to remove HDLC landmark designation (posted on Dec. 31, 2022)

The owner of the D'Antoni House at 7929 Freret has requested that the HDLC remove landmark designation from the building, which was designed by architect Edward Sporl in 1919.

The request will be considered by the N.O. HDLC at its monthly hearing on Jan. 4, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.

7929 Freret was nominated as an HDLC landmark in 1983 as "a noteworthy example of Eclectic architecture." It was designated in the following year.

The same owner first requested "dedesignation" back in 1987.

HDLC Staff recommends denial of the request yet again.

See a history of the issue and more photos in the Meeting Materials:
https://sites.google.com/view/nocmm010423/landmark-7929-freret-street

See also:
https://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/LA-02-OR184

E.F. Sporl Office Records archived at Tulane:
https://archives.tulane.edu/repositories/3/resources/3416

Please send written public comments to [email protected] by Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2022, at 4 p.m.

More information on HDLC commenting procedures:
https://nola.gov/next/hdlc/meetings/

Photo: Google maps, Sept. 2019

29/12/2022

January 11 and 24, 2022—Important meeting dates and deadline for public comment about D2Ds and other zoning issues in the university neighborhoods (posted on Dec. 29, 2022)

—Note: Additional information may be posted in the comment section about the substance of these issues/meetings.—

(1)
City Planning Commission (CPC) meeting
Tues., Jan. 24, 2023, 1:30 p.m., City Council chambers
Zoning Docket 100/22 — Amends the text of the CZO to re-establish the University Area IZD for the expanded University Area Overlay territory–requiring off-street parking to match the increase of new bedrooms.

Written comments are due by Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 5 p.m. to [email protected]. Please put “ZD 100/22” in the subject line.
Public hearing notice:
https://nola.gov/getattachment/NEXT/City-Planning/Meetings/Previous-Years/2022/December/City-Planning-Commission/12-13-2022-1-30-00-PM/CPC-public-hearing-notice-12-13-22.pdf/
Preliminary Staff report:
https://cityofno.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=23605&meta_id=611246

If you are in favor—it's OK to just write "I support the amended IZD."

FYI: this item was deferred from the CPC meetings of 12/13/22 and 1/10/22.

**Update at 1/5/23: According to Joe Giarrusso's office, ZD 100/22 will be heard at the CPC on Jan. 24, not Jan. 10. **

(2)
Neighborhood meeting about FLUM zoning
Wed., Jan. 11, 2023, 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Willow School (old Fortier High), 5624 Freret
The City Planning Commission has plans for your neighborhood. Let them tell you about it at this public meeting. The topic is FLUM—Future Land Use Maps. This is the meeting for City Planning District 3—includes Uptown, West Riverside, Freret, Broadmoor, Audubon, West Riverside, Black Pearl, University Area, Carrollton, Leonidas, Hollygrove and Dixon.

See all FLUM planning meeting dates and locations at this link:
https://nola.gov/next/city-planning/news/master-plan-future-land-use-map-amendment-proposals-public-input-meetings/

See all City Planning Commission announcements here:
https://nola.gov/next/city-planning/home/

Thanks.

The New Orleans City Planning Commission is a nine member citizen board appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council.  The Planning Commission provides analysis and recommendations to the City Council on matters dealing with the present and future development of the City, in accordance w...