Public Meetings

Throughout November, planners continued to meet with citizens at a series of public meetings to gather input on the future of St. Charles Parish. Outfitted with displays, before and possible after photos (photomorphs), maps and activities, the meetings that were held at five different locations attracted the input of 150 participants across the parish. In December, the planning team also visited the Satellite Center, and worked with more than 60 high school students to further the vision for St. Charles 2030.

One of the most popular activities both at the satellite center and in the public meetings was allowing participants to “spend their tax dollars."

Each participant was given $10 to spend on what they felt was most important by placing their money in the corresponding jar. Categories included beautification, redevelopment, improving/widening roads, sewer system improvements, road maintenance, drainage, flood and storm protection, and building new roads. The pie charts show the opinions of the participants, illustrating the priorities of the public and students.

The ideas collected on the comments/suggestions flipchart further identified some of the desires of the public. Many of these comments suggested a need for more/improved recreational opportunities, including lap pools, bike paths, public art, bike paths, scatter skate parks.

Additionally, many comments praised the library system, asked for more connectivity, identified the need for an assisted living for the elder community, and requested more restaurants and retail shops.

See the full list of public comments below:
· I don’t see much development for Killona. The walking path on the levee doesn’t include them presently and I see nothing in the future plan. Some folks don’t have transportation to go to the other areas. Some effort should be made to include these areas as we develop.
· Bike way on Old Spanish Trail presents serious safety questions. Speed limit is already too high – illegible – no place for pedestrians to get out of the traffic now. Needs major rethink here!
· At least a walk path on top of Davis Diversion levees to promote bird watching and link in with LA’s birding tourism. Very rich in bird and wildlife. Do it while doing western tie-in.
· Suggest central site for recreation activities. As is now, only sites are Bridge Parks and small partially used “donated” land for group recreation use. Eg. Soccer is 2^nd largest youth activity with only school sites and subservient to school growth needs. When developers develop land, put $$ in FUND designated for recreation only. St. Charles Soccer League 504-462-9243; Ed Wohden
· I would love to see some public art included along the levee bike paths, i.e. sculptures, etc.
· Tie technology part to fiber optic back-bone on Interstate. Build Move Theatre right on Wall Mart (after you demolish it)
· Start home pick up recycle program as it was prior to Katrina
· Eliminate 90% of stop signs
· Too much reliance on industrial activity
· Make more use of Pontchartrain shoreline
· Need work on waterfront recreation potential
· More parks – neighborhood, off St. Rose Ave? Or, near Jefferson Memorial Cemetary
· Another E/W Road on EB – parallel to train tracks?
· Love our library system
· Need to require garden homes in each development to accommodate retired citizens
· Need assisted living facilities
· Need to consider “town square” concept when developing a residential community
· Yes to bike and walk paths (sidewalks) on Major and other roads
· Ama .2 mile to complete eastern end of sidewalk to Bernard
· If there is a new connection between River Rd and Hwy 90 needs bike path
· Consider railroad overpass instead of new crossing from River Rd to Hwy 90. Cost of crossing maintenance will outweigh $ of overpass construction.
· Bring in a Cracker Barrel restaurant
· Indoor exercise/ indoor lap pool
· Highway 49 extension to NOLA
· 3127 to Hwy 90
· Airport runway extension – zone for future development of runway
· Developers should pay taxes toward services (school, utilities, roads, infrastructure)
· Attainable goals
· We need assisted living for the elder community
· Regional mall should be outside oriented rather than enclosed
· Civic and commercial should have small down-town feel (ex. Natchitoches)
· We need a Cabelas
· We need a mall also placed for teenagers to hang out
· Other restaurants – restaurants other than Chinese
· Definitely bring recycling back!
· Park or something near Boutte
· Build a movie theater
· Start to build more shopping centers and have more variety in types of food
· Build bike paths in more places other than levees
· Policies for maintenance and upkeep of pipeline and infrastructure rights of way should be established. Particularly adjacent to residences.
· East west road between Almedia Rd and Ormond East Bank?
· Make River Road all the way from Hale Boggs Bridge to Ormond 3 lanes
· There are no bike friendly streets in St. Charles Parish except Ormond Blvd (Including Rathborne Park)
· Salvadore/Timpken is shown as a “Regional Park” - Since this areas is only accessible by boat, seems like this does not meet criteria for a “park”.
· Move Hahnville Branch library to the right location [verify on map]
· Mark the new library in Paradis [not shown on map]
· Move the Eastbank Regional library to the new locaton [shown incorrectly on map]
· Check with BTNEP about coordinating blueways – ecotourism; local paddle clubs?
· Middle Median for turn offs (Paradis area) while the Hwy 90 is being resurfaced (It would prevent lots of accidents)
· Scattered skate parks and small skateboard facilities or elements of existing facilities should be explored. And, adequate parking is essential at existing and future parks
· Building on current parks: to become multi-use, multi-even facilities would draw more participation