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There is a beginning to this issue where we noticed the posting that
had been staked on the property. We began the process of
discovery to see what we were dealing with. At this point I
knew very little about the intent or the full story of who did what
or what was even intended. It began as a notice for a rezoning
hearing 03-16-09 and it should happen this afternoon at 5:00 pm.
Actually the intent was found out to be only 10 units to be built
and I am only finding that lot 51 is owned by Mr. Walstad and 52 is
yet to be purchased.
"Last year a Ms.
Okolo was checking the situation out before she bought the
property. The conversation I had with her was listening to what she
wanted to do and me explaining our position as to how we could not
support her and we would oppose the rezoning. I do not remember her
actually saying she owned the lot".
"There is a tremendous amount of
incorrect and misguided information….. Clearly having a informal
conversation with you and or members of your board would alleviate
much of the concerns, but I understand you have possibly been
advised NOT to contact us to review. "
Not at all, in fact my restraint was to
allow comment and opinion to return from our discovery and to become
more informed on the issue. It turns out that when someone
is not briefed and allowed reasonable time to discover, information
in high probability be incorrect and not guided at all.
"...I
am completely open to design considerations, site layout and input
as well as hearing the concerns of all involved in regards to the
proposed 10 unit condominium project we would like to build. So yes,
we are absolutely interested in the communication and dialogue. In
fact why can’t we jointly work together to improve the entire
corridor of Nassau street past Summer Grove to Florida Blvd?
Additional Drug free zone/crime free zone signs, communications to
one another about suspicious activity from either side. Why is this
adversarial at all?"
Dave
Walstad explained in an
email some of his intent for the rezoned property. He
explains that he is here due to his son being accepted at LSU and he
is simply investing in some property he hopes to turn around in a
long term 10 year plan. He tries to answer the
miss-information we have broadcast. It is normally better to
start with good communications rather than letting something be
worked out in time. This could have possibly been avoided but it is
what it is now. I will attempt to meet with Dave Walstad this
afternoon at Summer Grove. |
| 02-23-09 |
Today I noticed a rezoning sign posted on the empty lot behind
the Thrift Center. The information on the sign is as follows:
Rezoning Hearing will be held March 16,
2009 at
5:00pm in room 348 at 222 St Louis St. (downtown B.R.)
Case 5-09
1. Land Use From LDR
To HDR
2. Rezoning From A1
To A3.2 Limited Residential
(Multi family and institutional uses of a
residential character - 17.4 units per acre)
389-3144
|
| 02-25-09 |
The
application is by Dave Walstad and is for a 16-unit condominium. |
| 03-02-09 |
The intentions
are to rezone lots 51 and 52 of East Sherwood Forest filing
in Sherwood Forest from A1 to A3.2 and proceed to build a 16
unit condominium. The name of the applicant (01-28-09) is
Dave Walstad of Viking Global Ventures, Inc. His email is
recorded to be
davewaistad@email.com and is recorded to live at 197
White Oak Ln. in Freehold, NJ 07728. They want to develop
16 unit condo’s vs. land left undeveloped with crime issues…
they state that they want to improve our community. I also
want to improve our community, so we both have common
ground.
I was looking for
some background (on the internet) on Dave Walstad that is in
business with Viking Global Ventures, Inc. I found a few
things out about the company at
Business Reports. COM
and little about Dave. Also The
Advocate carried an
article on Summer Grove
that is interesting. While I do not want to dictate what
you feel or think about the rezoning of lots 51 and 52 at
the corner of Nassau and Archery, East Sherwood Forest
filing in Sherwood Forest…I would like to remind you that
these investors are from a long way off, in another world
from ours in Baton Rouge. They are investors and only
concern themselves about investing in property to make a
profit… not necessarily to do the right thing in our
neighborhoods. I am afraid if it sounds too good it just
may sound too good to have an investor come in and build a
wonderful 16 unit condo on undeveloped land… (A1 zoned
property pending to be rezoned of course to A3.2). They
already have been party to a condominium failure right up
the street at 12020 Florida Blvd (or maybe better know as
Summer Grove at 166 Nassau Dr). Just a short time ago they
failed to sell condo units and it is now a full to capacity
apartment complex, as described below in a couple of
articles.
I want the best
for Baton Rouge and what are good decisions for our
neighborhoods in Sherwood Forest. I do not want us to be a
busy-body of snoopy fogies but I do want us to be a solid
board of concerned and informed representatives, the
homeowners of Sherwood Forest elected. We should always act
in the best interest of our members and homeowners.
Rezoning is not the part that leaves me hollow in this case
but the lack of full information and feelings of our
neighbors in that immediate area. The solution is for us,
(I believe) is to ask the people of Sherwood Forest how they
feel and then act in their behalf. That is simple enough.
We report that and it will be what it will be.
|
| 03-04-09 |
SFCA SENT LETTER TO P.C. LAST YEAR
CONCERNING SAME 2 LOTS AND STATED OUR POSITION TO ANY REZONING. AS
THE HOA FOR THIS AREA WE CAN SIMPLY RESTATE OUR OPPOSITION AND
REFERENCE THE '08 LETTER. |
| 03-05-09 |
It seems that the letter we gave to the P&Z made it to Dave
Walstad and he would like to speak with me over the phone. I
would like to hear back from the group that went door to door
and read the concerns/comments before the conversation. It
seems we have about 30 or so signatures and the public sentiment
is happy we are doing this. I see we have no other option but
to represent our membership’s wishes. I also got an email from
Giles Morin (Coordinator, Land Use/Zoning) as you can read
below. What are your thoughts and comments on this
evolution?
|
| 03-05-09 |
We received
your letter stating the position of the Sherwood Forest Civic
Association, thank you for taking the time to submit something
in writing to us. I passed your request along to the applicant.
He expressed his intent to contact you in an attempt to address
the concerns of your Association. With regards to your request
to defer the hearing, I must respectively inform you that the
request and consent to defer must come from the applicant.
Please feel free to contact me with any other questions you may
have regarding this subject.
Best,
Gilles Morin Coordinator,
Land Use/Zoning Office of the Planning
Commission City of Baton Rouge-Parish of
East Baton Rouge
Phone: (225) 389 - 3144
Fax: (225) 389 - 5342
|
| 03-05-09 |
Interesting stuff, Dallas. I'd like to know what
the families whose homes are nearest this piece of property think
about the zoning change. It is they who are faced daily with
"crime," "blight" and "dumping" on the two vacant lots, if such is
actually the case. I agree that we must represent these
homeowners' wishes. |
| 03-05-09 |
You might could suggest he set up a meeting with
the residents. Just a thought He certainly needs to contact Mike
Walker and let him know his plans for lot 51 & 52. |
| 03-05-09 |
I decided to send out a broadcast to as what the
residents (that I had email addresses of) actually thought and
wanted.
|
| 03-05-09 |
And the replies streamed in. As they came in
I tried to respond to each one. If they took the time to
respond so could I. |
| |
Replies from the update broadcast explaining the
opinions and comments about the rezoning of lots 51 and 52. |
2012
membership application (form in adobe)