On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarrolltonWatch/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/townofcarrolltonwatch/
On Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/CarrolltonWatch
A comprehensive list of neighborhood and local news. For mainstream media articles and video only, see Local media.
NEW May 20, 2024 BZA hearing. Zach Smith and Les Bon Temps Ventures, LLC, are applying for parking variances at 7417 Burthe (BZA 023-24), seeking to expropriate public land in the right of way for off-street parking; and also to obtain a waiver for tandem parking in the driveway. In the meantime, it’s unclear whether Smith’s appeal for 7417 Burthe (BZA 016-24) has been withdrawn. Also, Town of Carrollton Watch has filed an appeal (BZA 029-24) for the work permit at 7504–7506 Zimple, alleging material misrepresentation on the part of Campus Rentals, LLC, and architect Graham Hill in the design of two required (and nonfunctional-noncompliant) off-street parking places in the dormification of the single-family house at 7506 Zimpel. Though three bedrooms are proposed in plans for the new unit—and two in the old—the house is currently advertised by Marley Development as having four bedrooms in 7504 Zimpel and three in 7506 Zimpel. See the Draft Agenda for May 20.
May 2, 2024 —The City Council passed the Small Multifamily Affordable (SMFA) housing amendment (ZD 27-24). SMFA is a boon to University Area D2D developers, who have used it so far to get around the off-street parking requirements of the University Area Overlay to create extra bedrooms at 7417 Burthe St. and 1808 Lowerline. More such development is expected to follow. Affordable housing units sunset in just 15 years. A carveout should be provided for the University Area. Video from the hearing starts at author Lesli Harris’s introductory remarks. An article from the N.O. Advocate (May 2, 2024) makes no mention of D2Ds or of any stated opposition to the amendment.
March 22, 2024 From today’s property transfers… Marci Surfas has bought 1200 Pine dba 1200 Pine LLC for an undisclosed amount, entailing the loss of a homestead exemption; and Ravi Doddamani, dba 4403-05 Fontainebleau LLC, has purchased 4403-05 Fontainbleau Drive for $364,000 from BRM Properties LLC. Source: www.nola.com
March 18, 2024 BZA hearing—1533 Broadway (BZA 102-23)—John P. Hamide’s appeal was denied. The work permit remains rescinded. 7417 Burthe (BZA 016-24)—Les Bon Temps Ventures, LLC—has been deferred yet again. Architect Zach Smith is the applicant: his appeal will now coincide with neighbor Debra Howell’s appeal of the work permit for 7417 Burthe, which was issued on March 14, 2024. The appeal has been docketed as BZA 24-0243. Watch the video here.
March 14, 2024 From today’s property transfers… The Tolberts have picked up two more houses in the University Area: dba Brothers T LLC, the purchase of 1714-16 Broadway for $550,000; and dba Armenda, LLC, the purchase of 2425-2427 Palmer for $100 from Casa Pilar, LLC. Also, MCD2 Capital Investments, LLC, based in Woodside, California, has purchased 2831 Calhoun for $395,000. Source: www.nola.com
March 12, 2024 Neighborhood Participation Program (NPP) meeting on March 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Maple Leaf Bar, 8316 Oak. Meeting concerns a conditional use request for a bar/music venue zoned HU-MU to allow Outdoor Entertainment–Secondary use per Article 12.2.A, Table 12-1 Permitted and Conditional Uses. The proposed stage will take up 250 square feet of the 1200 square-foot courtyard.” Download the NPP letter and site plan. See a recent announcement on NextDoor.
March 6, 2024 “OPINION | Tulane’s new junior residency requirement puts students last,” student opinion in the Tulane Hullabaloo. Tulane students will be required to live on campus for their junior year, starting in fall 2025. See Tulane’s new residency requirements as posted on the TU website.
March 5, 2024: Fourth anniversary of the University Area Off-street Parking IZD:
http://czo.nola.gov/Article-19#19-4-A-11
March 1, 2024: Seventh anniversary of the founding of Carrollton and Uptown Historic Districts https://w:ww.bizneworleans.com/uptown-carrollton-neighborhoods-become-new-orleans-historic-district-landmarks-commission-members/
Feb. 25, 2024 On Feb. 19, architect Zach Smith filed for a structural renovation work permit and plans for the conversion of the two-family shotgun at 1808-10 Lowerline into a 4-plex. Includes a 2-bedroom affordable housing unit. 1500 sf will be added to the house. Original bedroom count: 4. Proposed: 10. No new parking. The house was purchased by Les Bon Temps Ventures, LLC, on Dec. 13, 2023, for just $295,000.
Feb. 22, 2024 The City Council voted unanimously to approve the new Design Overlay for the University Area—Zoning Docket ZD 89/23—City Council Motion #M-23-472.
Feb. 19, 2024 BZA hearing—1533 Broadway (BZA 102-23)—John P. Hamide; 7417 Burthe (BZA 016-24)—Les Bon Temps Ventures, LLC; and a variance application by a neighbor at 7718-7720 Freret (BZA 006-24). All applications were deferred for thirty days.
Feb. 3, 2024 Krewe of Choctaws rolls on the Uptown route, starting at 2 p.m. Chief Choctaw is D2D developer John P. Hamide. Choctaw route is here. UPDATE at Feb. 1: because of weather advisory, Choctaw will start at 11:30 or earlier.
Feb. 2, 2024. “New Orleans car wash owners can knock down three Tchoupitoulas Street homes Uptown, council says,” by Sophie Kasakove, with photos by Chris Granger, Times-Picayune/N.O. Advocate.
Feb. 1, 2024 (Land use issues start at 11:00 a.m.) City Hall. The City Council will hear the HDLC demolition appeals of three old houses—5414-16, 5518-20, and 5524 Tchoupitoulas—by owner Car Wash Blues, LLC, who would demolish the buildings to expand the business to fill the entire block between Octavia and Joseph Streets. (The HDLC denied the demolition request on Dec. 6, 2023, arguing that the developer allowed the buildings to fall into disrepair over a 15-year period.) Please write to Joseph.Giarrusso@nola.gov with your comment. See posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and NextDoor for more information. DEFERRED FROM JAN. 18.
Also: The City Council will vote on the new Design Overlay for the University Area. It’s Zoning Docket #89/23 –City Council Motion #M-23-472. You must submit a comment by 8 a.m. on 2/1/24. Town of Carrollton Watch thinks the Design Overlay is too much work for too little return; full-control historic districting is preferred. The fatalist will respond: “At least it’s something.” DEFERRED FROM JAN. 18; again to Feb. 22.
January 30, 2024. “Car wash owners seek demolition of Tchoupitoulas cottages” by Stephanie Bruno and Katherine Hart, Uptown Messenger (posted Jan. 30, 2024)
Jan. 27, 2024 This week’s property transfers included the Jan. 19 off-market sale of 1208-10 Short (off Oak) to SJC Crescent Rentals, LLC, based in Metairie, for $550,000. Realtor’s listing is here. The listing does not explicitly describe the rental(s) as student housing; but the sale of the camel-backed Craftsman double means the loss of a homestead exemption (owner-occupied home) in the neighborhood.
Jan. 18, 2024 The BBSA rejected the appeal of the owner of 1533 Broadway, affirming Safety and Permits’ decision that the application was complete not on October 6, 2022 but on January 25, 2023—meaning it is governed by the University Area IZD, not the more liberal University Area Parking Overlay. A representative from Safety and Permits spoke up on several occasions to correct misrepresentations by the applicant and his consultants. The matter goes back to the BZA: the owner’s appeal has been rescheduled for Feb. 19.
January 2024 City Planning Commission—Zoning and Land Use Committee meeting. We’re watching the CPC calendar for a meeting (requested by Commissioner Brown) on the long-awaited subdivision regulations update. The meeting’s been postponed since October 2023. (The update has been postponed since 2021.)
Jan. 18, 2024 The City Council granted a conditional use for 2428 Napoleon, Our Lady of Lourdes school, for development as a hotel of over 10,000 sf. Amicus Properties director Doug Cloninger is part of the development team, along with David Fuselier and Christopher Prasad; the involvement of Zachary Kuppermann of St. Vincent’s Hotel was also alleged. CM Giarrusso (Dist. A) handled the motion in the absence of CM Lesli Harris (Dist. B). The CU was granted despite the developers’ demonstrated negligence of the old church building next door (cited by Code Enforcement on Jan. 5, 2024)—and attorney Mike Sherman even stated that the developers did not own “it” and were therefore not responsible for maintenance. (The developers do in fact own the old church building—but not the school, yet.) A finished parking plan was not required either. Thank you, City Council.
Jan. 10, 2024 The D2D map has been updated. The new version shows the loss to private dorm development of conventional rentals (92) vs. loss of homestead exemptions (owner-occupied homes; 49) and some unknowns (8).
Dec. 14, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting. The City Council hears ZD 45–23, a text amendment to amend and reordain Article 18, Section 18.2.Z, purpose of the University Area Off-Street Parking Overlay District and Section 18.30 University Area Off-Street Parking Overlay District, etc. See ordinance cal. #34,441 here.
Dec. 14, 2023 Original date of the Board of Building Standards and Appeals (BBSA) meeting for BBSA 23-75, as recommended by the Board of Zoning Adjustments on Nov. 13, 2023. Owner John P. Hamide and his attorneys seek the reinstatement of the work permit—rescinded by Safety and Permits because the permit application was finally deemed incomplete. Applicant is attorney Kailey LeBoeuf. IItem 12 of 16 on the Meeting Agenda. [Result: deferred until Jan. 18, 2024.]
Dec. 12, 2023 Disclaimer: “Stop D2D” is neither an advocacy group nor a “movement.” It is only the domain name of a website, www.stopd2d.com, maintained by Maple Area Residents Inc. (MARI). Town of Carrollton Watch is not associated with an entity called “Stop D2D”—it does not exist.
Dec. 12, 2023—CPC hearing of Zoning Docket ZD 089-23. The CPC unanimously supported the creation of a new University Area Design Overlay, while accepting the changes proposed by CPC Staff. The new overlay was proposed by CM Joe Giarrusso on Oct. 5, 2023, per City Council Motion M-23-472. This text ordinance is intended to prevent such infelicitous designs as the three-story new construction at 7417-19 Zimpel (Doddamani) and the three-story addition at 1018-20 Pine (Tedesco and Torres). Video of the Dec. 12 hearing of ZD 089-23 is here. Read a transcript here.
Nov. 23, 2023 7506 Zimpel was sold for $350,000 on 11/9/2023 to Campus Rentals, LLC, a known D2D developer. Source: Times-Picayune/N.O. Advocate, 11/23/23. The seller was KSAK, LLC, a company domiciled in Meridian, Miss. Campus Rentals also owns 7608 Zimpel (3/31/2023; $250,000); 7700 Burthe (4/25/2023; $1,075,000); 7500 Zimpel (6/23/2023; $450,000); and 1414 Audubon (10/30/2023; $842,500)—for a total of $2.97M year-to-date.
Nov. 16, 2023 At today’s City Council meeting, CM Joe Giarrusso approved a conditional use on Zoning Docket ZD 73-23 for the expansion of the Chevron gas station at 1400 South Carrollton Avenue. The facility will be torn down and rebuilt. Two white-box stores will be constructed in addition to the new gas station. The project was started in 2019—when permit applications were filed with the City. By the developer’s own account, it was delayed by the pandemic (Staff Report, p. 41). Watch the video on YouTube; and read the transcript of the discussion and Giarrusso’s opinion on the item. View the CPC Staff Report, dated Oct. 10, 2023.
Nov. 13, 2023 BZA 102-23 has been deferred by the BZA for 60 days—until January 2024. This is developer Preston Tedesco’s appeal of the City’s rescission of his work permit for 1533 Broadway, which he has been trying to convert to an 8-bedroom private dormitory (D2D) for three years now. Here’s the Safety and Permits Staff Report—the City’s 207-page response to the appeal. Watch the video of the hearing. The developer was directed to apply in the interim for a hearing at the Board of Building Standards and Appeals (BBSA). We fully support the long-suffering neighbors of this ongoing development nightmare.
Nov. 9, 2023 812-814 Hillary has been sold for $350,000 to Holt Investment Properties, LLC. The single-family house at 1414 Audubon has been sold for $842,500 to Campus Rentals, LLC, a known D2D developer. Source: Times-Picayune/N.O. Advocate, 11/9/23. Campus Rentals also owns 2422 Joseph (3/25/2022; $630,898); 7700 Burthe (4/25/2023; $1,075,000); 7608 Zimpel (3/31/2023; $250,000); 7500 Zimpel (6/23/2023; $450,000).
Oct. 5, 2023 The amended University Area Overlay (motion M-23-471) was approved by the City Council. Any new construction or renovation with more than THREE bedrooms or more than 2.5 bathrooms will need to provide additional onsite parking spaces for each additional bedroom or obtain a variance; and must include a common room—among other provisions. In addition, the Council passed a motion (M-23-472) proposing a new design overlay for part of the Overlay area.
Oct. 4, 2023 HDLC landmarks nomination hearing for 7632 Hampson—the last residence (1966–1969) of author John Kennedy Toole. The nomination was unanimously approved.
Oct. 2, 2023 — BZA hearings again for (1) 7608 Zimpel Street, owned by Campus Rentals, LLC (BZA084-23); and (2) 1120 Lowerline Street, owned by Preston Tedesco and Sidney Torres, V, dba 1120 Lowerline, LLC. See the final agenda. Both appeals were denied—meaning neighbors lost.
Sept. 11, 2023 BZA appeals by neighbors: (1) 7608 Zimpel Street, owned by Campus Rentals, LLC (BZA084-23)—see video here; and (2) 1120 Lowerline Street, owned by Preston Tedesco and Sidney Torres, V, dba 1120 Lowerline, LLC (BZA086-23)—see video here—were DEFERRED for thirty days. (Note: The permit for 1533 Broadway has been rescinded and the appeal—BZA085-23—rendered moot.)
Sept. 2, 2023 New yard signs available—”Stop turning our homes into dorms.” They’re free. Write to StopD2DinNOLA@gmail.com to arrange for a pick-up. Please offer to help distribute them too.
Aug. 31, 2023 It was announced in today’s property transfers that the double at 2205-07 Broadway (between Sycamore and S. Claiborne) was sold to John P. Hamide, dba 700B15, LLC, for the nominal sum of $100. Closing date and estimated purchase price are TBA. It is his 42nd purchase in the neighborhood.
Aug. 24, 2024 The single-family house at 7534 Jeannette has been purchased for $570,000 by Jonathan Heidenberg, a member of the Heidenberg Property Group. It is their 13th house in the neighborhood. The Heidenbergs average a new house every year, renovating without permits—and adding bedrooms without also adding required off-street parking, in violation of the University Area Overlay.
Aug. 11, 2023 Letter to the editor, Times-Picayune/N.O. Advocate, “If your child is living off campus this year, please read this,” by Angie Lamoli Silvestri.
Aug. 8, 2023 Tulane community meeting in Freeman Auditorium. The problem of doubles-to-dorms had to be raised by the audience. It was not on Tulane’s corporate agenda for this meeting.
Aug. 8, 2023 The City Planning Commission voted 5–3 to reject the University Area Overlay (amended)—ZD 045-23.
Aug. 2, 2023 Our HDLC landmarks nomination for 1623 Pine was denied.
Aug. 1, 2023—First anniversary of increased HDLC fines on illegal demolitions. It’s been exactly a year (Aug. 1, 2022) since State Rep. Aimee Freeman’s House Bill (HB) 193 went into effect as Act 611. Yet N.O. HDLC Commissioners’ fines on illegal demolitions have recently been challenged and reduced in the City Council for: Broadway Street Holdings, LLC, at 7200 S. Claiborne; the homeowner at 1622 Pine; and Les Bon Temps Ventures, LLC, at 838 Lowerline. Please write to Dist. 98 State Rep. Aimee Freeman to ask about the future of this state law in the N.O. Historic Districts: hse098@legis.la.gov
July 31, 2023 Leah Clark, “Tulane to open two new dorms; part of $185M project to bring more students on campus,” Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate. (Is MARI a “resident advocacy group”? We thought it was a neighborhood association.)
July 25, 2023 Architect Zach Smith filed a Board of Building Standards and Appeals (BBSA) appeal on behalf of Ramesh Reddy at 905-07 Cherokee—BBSA 23-45—on July 6.
Appeal letter and other documents are available here. [Update at Aug. 2—city records were not updated timely on this issue:] At the hearing of July 20, Reddy’s permit was reactivated. He recommenced work on July 29.
July 18, 2023 An accessory building at 915 Pine has recently been developed by Deb Singer, dba Marley Development, as a rental property—and advertised at $2000/mo. as a one-bedroom apartment. But the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance states that accessory structures may not be used as living quarters. The property was inspected by Safety and Permits on July 18 and a violation was logged as “CZO 21.6A: Accessory Structures and Uses.” In addition, no work permit is on file for this address, though the apartment is advertised as a new renovation.
July 13, 2023 BZA appeals underway: An appeal filed on June 30, 2023, by neighbor Debra Howell alleges material misrepresentation on the permit materials for 7608 Zimpel. It will be heard on September 11. Another BZA appeal was filed on July 12, 2023, in re 1533 Broadway, owned by developer John Hamide.
July 8, 2023 Demolition commenced yesterday (July 7) at 2502 Palmer Avenue—removing the rear of this hundred-year-old cottage. The 1600-sf double will be camelbacked by Fla. investor Patrick Balters for use as a 6-bedroom D2D expanded to 3384 sf. Architect is Zach Smith, whose plans falsely claim four existing bedrooms—while real estate records and old classified ads confirm just three (originally, two). It’s all part of the tedious calculus of the University Area IZD, which requires an off-street parking place for each new bedroom. The workers cheered as the back of the house fell to the ground today (July 8).
July 7, 2023 Personal injury attorney Chip Forstall has sold a third Carrollton house to D2D developer Amicus Properties of New York City. On June 30, 2023, Forstall transferred the house at 7610–22 Oak St. to Amicus for $350,000—the company’s 14th purchase in the neighborhood. No renovation plans have been filed yet. With at least 110 bedrooms in commerce near Tulane and Loyola, at a conservative estimate ($1500 per bedroom), Amicus grosses about $165,000/month from our houses—and almost $2M/year.
Chip Forstall’s transfers to Amicus Properties: 6/30/23—$350,000—7610-22 Oak (development TBD); 4/26/19—$285,000—1025-27 Cherokee (elevated for 9 bds total); 11/15/18—$320,000—821–823 Hillary (camelbacked for 8 bds total)
June 22, 2023 Town of Carrollton Watch appealed the HDLC’s conceptual approval of the partial demolition at 7417-21 Burthe. We lost the appeal—as CM Joe Giarrusso denied it—but it was important to correct errors of fact in the record. Video is timestamped here. Because developer Les Bon Temps Ventures, LLC, lost their BZA appeal on May 1, they must now ask for a conditional use for an expanded footprint—or adopt some other development plan. They’re currently planning 12 bedrooms in this longtime student rental.
June 15, 2023 “Another preservation fight is brewing in New Orleans. This time it’s about historic signs,” Times-Picayune/N.O. Advocate. [Update: issue is shelved until further notice. Might be heard in August.]
June 7, 2023 The landmarks nomination of the 1860s house at 1129 Lowerline was denied. Meantime, the new owner has been cited for working without a permit. Plans originally showed the historic pocket-doors would be removed to enclose the traditional dining room and create a sixth bedroom for student tenants. (DSP has promised this won’t happen.)
June 7, 2023 At the HDLC’s June hearing, (1) the owner of 838 Lowerline was fined $48,254 for the illegal partial demolition of over 25% of the primary facade through the installation of vinyl windows without a Certificate of Appropriateness. Applicant is Zach Smith. The historic 1920s apartment house was purchased on March 10, 2023, for $3.34M by D2D developer Les Bon Temps Ventures, LLC. The fine has been appealed to the City Council. And (2) the owner of 1622 Pine has also been cited for illegal front-facade demolition without a CofA. This fine has also been appealed to the City Council.
June 3, 2023 The owner of the student rental at 812-814 Lowerline has been reported to the HDLC for the unpermitted demolition of the primary facade of the building in excess of 25% in a partial-control district. The owner has replaced historic windows with vinyl.
June 2, 2023 Co-incidentally, it was City Zoning Administrator Nick Kindel’s last day of work at the Department of Safety and Permits. Kindel has done much to dismantle the historic neighborhoods of New Orleans, while virtually gutting the CZO in a range of zoning decisions. We wish him well in his new post-DSP incarnation—preferably far away from our fair swamp of a city.
June 2, 2023 A structural renovation work permit for a 442-sf addition was issued today for Preston Tedesco, dba Broadway Management, LLC. Zoning was apparently approved for eight bedrooms and no added parking.
June 1, 2023 A non-conforming use determination was issued by Safety and Permits, approving the development of a six-plex at 914 Dante—historic home of the Zeller family, whose patriarch F. C. Zeller was one of the last mayors of Carrollton. The house was sold by Riverlake Properties on June 30, 2022, for an undisclosed amount to developer Colin Rusovich, who successfully opposed the landmark nomination of the building on Dec. 7, 2022.
May 24, 2023 The office of Preston Tedesco, dba Broadway Management, LLC, at 7913 Maple Street was served with an eviction notice on May 18 by the Orleans Parish constable’s office. Photo here. See the file for docket #20230518N/VACATE019 on the constable’s website. The office has been rented by the Tedesco family for many years.
May 22, 2023 “Assessor Has Removed 4,393 Homestead Exemptions Since Beginning of 2022,” www.bizneworleans.com, May 18, 2023. And he definitely needs your help to do it. Call the Exemption Fraud Hotline at (504) 754-8929. See more information at the tax assessor’s website. (For one thing, an LLC may not claim a homestead exemption.)
May 15, 2023 Stephanie Riegel, “Tulane University looks into leasing five streets near Uptown campus from city,” www.nola.com, May 15, 2023.
May 15, 2023 The City announced on May 11 that the City Planning Commission’s Planning Advisory Committee hearing on May 17 will include a consideration of Tulane’s intention to permanently close several blocks near the Uptown campus that are currently public. See the May 17th Agenda. Send public comments to cameron.boissiere@nola.gov as soon as possible; cc Joseph.Giarrusso@nola.gov. Neighbors support the postponement of the meeting until a traffic impact study can be made available for review. See the map of the Uptown closures.
May 14, 2023 “City Hall taught consultant how to navigate the system,” by Stephanie Riegel, “Talking Business” column, Times-Picayune/N.O. Advocate, May 14, 2023, Page D11. Riegel interviews Zach Smith, who works for dorm developers John Hamide and Preston Tedesco, Berry Silver et al., and Le Bon Temps Ventures, LLC.
May 10, 2023 We’re posting more often on Instagram these days. Still haven’t returned to Facebook.
May 8, 2023 Safety and Permits has issued a stop work order at 1225 Fern, rescinding the non-structural renovation work permit issued on Jan. 19, 2023, for the renovation of an upstairs unit. An S&P inspection verified that owner Ramesh Reddy had illegally expanded the footprint of the Established Multifamily (4-unit) building—which would require a conditional use per CZO Article 20.3.W.4. Reddy’s second permit, filed on May 4 for work in another unit, will not be processed until problems with the first are resolved. Read the Safety and Permits memo of May 8. The contractor is Asper Construction. Architect is unknown at this time.
May 4, 2023 7700 Burthe has been purchased from Riverlake Properties by Tulane undergrad Alec Rovner and attorney Steven Rovner of Feasterville, Pa., dba Campus Rentals, LLC, for $1,075,000, according to this morning’s property transfers. The new construction D2D was built on a lot subdivided from 7706 Burthe—a single-family house purchased by Riverlake in 2001 for use as their office in a multi-use conversion that was challenged by neighbors for years.
Asper Construction worked on the house for almost two months for Riverlake before permit issuance on Dec. 5, 2022, and have never been cited by Safety and Permits.
Alec Rovner has been advertising the units at 7700 Burthe and other D2D properties online through Wave Development, LLC, which he owns with other Tulane students. (Wave Development is domiciled at 7522 Burthe, a D2D owned by John Hamide.) Campus Rentals, LLC, also owns 7608 Zimpel, currently under development as a D2D. Hamide purchased the old house at 7706 Burthe and adjoining properties 806 Adams and 816 Adams on March 31, 2023, for $1.449,000.
May 3, 2023 7417-21 Burthe was back on the HDLC Agenda after a 60-day deferral. HDLC Staff states that it is “not opposed” to the demolition of over 50% of exterior walls that’s involved in this development, which must also pass a zoning review by the BZA on May 1. See the 7417-21 meeting materials. UPDATE: PASSED.
May 1, 2023 We’re watching/supporting the BZA appeals for the D2D at 1225 Fern and 7419-21 Burthe. See the 1225 Fern appeal letter (.pdf) of applicant-neighbor Jim Logan. Case is docketed as #BZA 039–23. Also on the agenda is the appeal filed by architect Zach Smith on behalf of Le Bon Temps Ventures, LLC, for the structural work permit for their multi-family acquisition at 7417-21 Burthe, docketed as BZA #042–23. See the 7417-19 Burthe appeal letter here. The company wants to expand the footprint of an existing nonconforming use, which is prohibited by the CZO, increasing the bedroom count from 6 to 12. (Owner claims 8 current bedrooms.) See the May 1 Draft Agenda.
UPDATE: (1) LOST 1225 FERN; (2) BZA DENIED THE 7417-21 BURTHE APPEAL. NO VIDEO YET.
Apr. 28, 2023 “Loyola, Tulane plan to increase student housing,” by Kloe Witt, Uptown Messenger.
Apr. 13, 2023 The purchase of 7608 Zimpel by Alec Rovner and Steven Rovner, dba Campus Rentals, LLC, closed on March 31, 2023. Sale price: $250,000. Buyer’s agent: Haj Langford. Entails the loss of another homestead exemption in the neighborhood. We’re now up to 116 D2Ds.
Apr. 12, 2023 “Fire erupts in a university area apartment building,” by Katherine Hart, Uptown Messenger. About an April 10 one-alarm fire at 825-27 Hillary, owned by John Hamide and Preston Tedesco.
Apr. 12, 2023 “New Orleans City Council tries, again, to crack down on ‘doubles-to-dorms’ near universities,” by Stephanie Riegel, nola.com. About the amended IZD, passed April 6 by the City Council.
Apr. 11, 2023 Subdivision regulations update were considered by the CPC. A vote was deferred until May. Commissioner Kelly Brown asked for a zoning subcommittee meeting in the interim for a more detailed discussion of the update. See #14 on the Agenda.
Apr. 10, 2023 A fire broke out tonight at 825 Hillary, owned by John Hamide and Preston Tedesco. The source of the fire is unknown. EMS reported that no one was hurt. Several students were evacuated from the camelbacked shotgun next door at 821-823 Hillary, owned by Amicus Properties.
Apr. 6, 2023 The amended IZD went back to the City Council, where it was unanimously approved as M-23-143. The final version included Marlyville, Broadmoor, Hollygrove and Leonidas. Got to follow through to make sure it’s codified correctly. Next up is the enactment as the University Area Overlay, expected soon.
Apr. 3, 2023 We lost again at the BZA. Applicant-neighbor Melinda Alphonso appealed the issuance of a work permit to owner Dov (“Berry”) Silver, et al., d/b/a 1530 Hillary, LLC. Zoning docket was #029-23. Work permit applicant was a representative for Zach Smith. The hearing video is available here.
Mar. 30, 2023 The old Ireland house at 925 Burdette has finally sold for $1.625M. History of the house.
Mar. 27, 2023 is the public comment deadline for the April 3 BZA appeal for the issuance of a non-structural renovation permit for the D2D at 1530-32 Hillary. See the 1530-32 Hillary appeal letter (.pdf) of applicant-neighbor Melinda Alphonso. See the Draft Agenda.
Mar. 8, 2023 “Critics say New Orleans failing to properly enforce new ‘doubles to dorms’ regulations,” by Stephanie Riegel, nola.com. See the .pdf here. Concerns the BZA’s rulings on a neighbor’s appeal of S&P permit issuance for 7417-19 Zimpel and 905-907 Cherokee.
Mar. 6, 2023 The $1.449M purchase of 806 Adams (six-plex), 7706 Burthe (3-bedroom house), and 816 Adams (freestanding 1-bedroom unit in rear of 7706 Burthe) by Riverlake to John Hamide, dba CMP 1, LLC, closed on Feb. 28, 2023, as announced today on a commercial website.
Mar. 6, 2023 At the BZA today, the developers won on all D2D issues, as usual: neighbor Debra Howell’s appeals for 905-07 Cherokee against Ramesh Reddy and 7417-19 Zimpel (against Ravi Doddamani) and on Zach Smith’s variance for a lot that will be subdivided from 919 Broadway as 901 Broadway—presumably for a D2D. See the Final Agenda. Here is the March 6 BZA meeting video.
Mar 2, 2023 An adjudication hearing for Dr. Curt Freudenberger, owner of 1230 Webster, was held on Thursday, March 2, at 9:30 a.m. See the adjudication notice and the listing in the adjudications database. District A sent two representatives to the meeting. Result: Another adjudication hearing will be held on May 1, at 9:00 a.m. on the status of the worksite. These photos were taken on Feb. 6, 2023:
An official close to the matter said, “It’s obvious where the owners are going with this”—meaning full demolition, one way or the other. Developer’s personnel: attorney Mike Sherman of Sherman Strategies; and Patrick Melancon, architect. Freudenberger, of Huntsville, Alabama, was chastised by CM Lesli Harris (Dist. B) in the City Council on June 23, 2022, “You have made New Orleans less New Orleans.” He was ordered to incorporate the older house into the new design. Instead, we have the result pictured above.
Feb. 27, 2023 This is the comment deadline for two appeals that will be heard by the BZA on March 6 for work permit issuances on D2Ds in the neighborhood—for 7417-19 Zimpel, new construction by Ravi Doddamani (8 bedrooms), and for the renovation of 905-907 Cherokee (5 bedrooms increasing to 8). See applicant Debra Howell’s appeal letters for 905-07 Cherokee and for 7417-19 Zimpel. Please write to cpcinfo@nola.gov by Mon., Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. with comments. Or attend the March 6 hearing, which starts at 10 a.m. See the Draft Agenda.
Feb. 21, 2023 The subdivision of the corner lot of 919 Broadway (at Burthe) is in progress as SD 137-22. The new address is 901 Broadway. A variance is also docketed as ZD 019-23 for the March 6, 2023, BZA hearing for retention of an accessory structure (a three-car garage) without a principal building. Write to cpcinfo@nola.gov by Mon., Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. with comments. Or attend the March 6 hearing; starts at 10 a.m. See the Draft Agenda. Architect is Zach Smith; new owner/developer is unnamed.
Feb. 16, 2023 The attorney for Cypress Coast Concepts, LLC, was a no-show at the City Council yesterday (Feb. 16) for the contractor’s appeal of a $21,690 fine by the HDLC for illegal demolition activity at 2220 Broadway. The owners, Broadway Street Holdings, LLC, bought six buildings in the University Area/Broadmoor in Dec. 2021-Aug. 2022 for $3.2M: 2220 Broadway, 2025 Broadway, 2029 Broadway, 7200 S. Claiborne, 7832 Plum, and 3106 Upperline. (The same owners have purchased several other houses in the area under other LLCs.) It’s expected that they’ll develop student dorms (D2Ds) at all locations.
In an ironic gesture, perhaps, Councilman Joe Giarrusso (Dist. A) has proposed lowering the fine on these cash-flush developers to $15,000. Here is the HDLC’s extensive appeal report on the violation—filed with the City Council ahead of the appeal. Preservationists were on hand for public comment at the City Council yesterday. It’s hoped there will be a bigger turnout on the new appeal date, March 9—the same day the City Council will likely vote (per the Dist. A office) on the amended University Area IZDthe same day the City Council will vote on the amended University Area IZD—Motion M-22-449, which re-enacts stricter controls on development for an expanded area, encompassing Broadmoor-Marlyville, and Leonidas-Hollygrove. Please write to IZD co-sponsors Joe Giarrusso and Lesli Harris (Dist. B) and the rest of the City Council with your views.
Feb. 14, 2023 Town of Carrollton Watch has its second anniversary today.
Feb. 14, 2023 “Renovation Report: Former Carrollton Courthouse to open as an assisted living facility,” New Orleans CityBusiness. Available here as .pdf.
Feb. 10, 2023 Local attorney Ramesh Reddy purchased two houses from Riverlake Properties: 905–07 Cherokee, on Dec. 17, 2021, for $775,000; and 1225 Fern on Nov. 30, 2021, for $507,500. Reddy is building eight bedrooms in two units at 905–07 Cherokee (permit issued on Dec. 2, 2022); and eleven bedrooms in four units at 1225 Fern (permit issued on Jan. 19, 2023). He has successfully applied for Established Multi-Family (CZO Art. 20.3.W) status at 1225 Fern through a zoning verification with Safety and Permits: theoretically, he could reconfigure the property for up to 16 bedrooms.
EMF legislation was originally recommended by the City Planning Commission as a means of providing affordable housing in historic neighborhoods. See, for example, the CPC’s 2017 proposal for a Smart Housing Mix to alleviate post-Katrina housing woes. Instead, Reddy and other D2D developers are using EMF to pack students into old houses in our neighborhood for a bigger return on their investment. Rents are pegged at about $1500-1700 these days per bedroom. See this post on Next-Door.
Feb. 6, 2023 We lost the BZA appeal for the issuance of the non-structural permit for 1117 Pine, purchased by Amicus Properties of New York City on Sept. 28, 2022. ZD 010-23 appealed the decision of the Director of Safety and Permits, arguing that S&P failed to review non-structural renovation Permit #22-30752-RNVN for compliance with the amended University Area IZD. But S&P said they did review it; and that four bedrooms are permitted. (There were three under the previous ownership.) S&P had a convoluted response to the appeal. Watch the video here. Starts from the beginning of the issue.
Jan. 24, 2023 The City Planning Commission passed Zoning Docket 100/22, amending the text of the CZO to re-establish the University Area IZD, requiring off-street parking to match any increase of new bedrooms. See Motion M-22-449. However, Commissioner Robert Steeg’s motion excludes Hollygrove, Leonidas, Marlyville and Broadmoor. The vote was finally 7-2. In other news CPC Staff did us the honor of attempting to debunk our data. See the CPC’s staff report, available for upload in this OneStop folder as “ZD100-22 Prelim Report with attachments.pdf.” And see the YouTube video, starting at 02:30:30. The issue must be heard by the City Council by Mar. 31.
Jan. 11, 2023 6:00–7:30 p.m. at the Willow/Brimmer School (old Fortier High), 5624 Freret. Topic: FLUM—Future Land Use Maps. (This was 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, starting on Jan. 10 .
Jan. 9, 2023 BZA appeal for 821-823 Adams failed. ZD 005-23 appealed the decision of the Director of Safety and Permits, arguing that S&P failed to properly review structural renovation permit #22-25821-RNVS for compliance with the IZD.
Jan. 5, 2023 7417-19-21 Burthe has been purchased for $630,000 by Les Bon Temps Ventures, LLC, from attorney Allen Borne, dba Leborne, LLC. The transfer was listed in the Jan. 5, 2023, issue of the Times-Picayune. Les Bon Temps Ventures, LLC, already owns the 1920s-era apartment house across the street at 838 Lowerline, purchased for $3,336,500 on March 10, 2022. Safety and Permits has logged many violations at the Burthe Street triplex, most recently in early 2022.
Jan. 4, 2023 The N.O. HDLC denied a request to remove HDLC landmark designation from the Salvatore D’Antoni House at 7929 Freret, which was designed by architect Edward Sporl in 1919 and 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 recommended denial of the request yet again. See the Society of Architectural Historians’ entry about the house.
Dec. 9, 2022 A stop-work order was posted at 821-823 Adams on Nov. 19, 2022, by the HDLC for exceeding the scope of demolition and triggering the agency’s review. Yet the crew of workers hired by John Hamide and Preston Tedesco continues to work. Four stop-work orders have been posted; the fourth, issued on Dec. 7, grants a broad exception for stabilizing the building. The owners are constructing the building—and expanding the footprint—through this loophole. [Update on Dec. 29: work continues.]
Dec. 8, 2022 A BZA appeal has been docketed for 1117 Pine for the February 2023 hearing. ZD 1594-22 holds that Safety and Permits failed to review the non-structural renovation permit of Amicus Properties, LLC, dba 1117 Pine, LLC, for compliance with the IZD.
Dec. 7, 2022 Our landmarks nomination for 914 Dante was denied by the N.O. HDLC. Attorney Sonny Shields, the “lion of preservation,” provided legal representation for the new owner/developer of the building, who opposed the nomination.
Dec. 5, 2022 The BZA denied Lenore Gordon’s BZA appeal of the decision of the Director of Safety and Permits in issuing a work permit to developer Ravi Doddamani for the construction of a six-bedroom annex at 5533-35 S. Tonti in Broadmoor—ZD-094-22. Here is a transcript of the proceedings for 5533-35 S. Tonti. (All neighbors who spoke at the hearing gave their permission for the transcript to be published.)
Dec. 2, 2022 A work permit was issued for an 8-bedroom D2D at 905-07 Cherokee, purchased from Riverlake by Ramesh Reddy, dba KSR & Co., for $775,000 on Dec. 17, 2021. Plans provide for eight furnished bedrooms and eight bathrooms. Proposed rent (according to the permit application) is $1500 per tenant.
Dec. 1, 2022 Giarrusso overturns HDLC ruling on 5919 Freret. Attorney Mike Sherman says house will not be a D2D or short-term rental; owner will sign deed restriction. Architect Patrick Melancon has removed detached unit from plans; number of bedrooms reduced from eight to six. No mention was made of a Nov. 22 drawing showing the removal of the detached unit—and a seven-car parking plan. The drawing was provided to neighbors by Giarrusso’s office. It has not been uploaded to OneStop.
Nov. 28, 2022 Deadline for public comments in support of Lenore Gordon’s BZA appeal of the decision of the Director of Safety and Permits in issuing a work permit to developer Ravi Doddamani for the construction of a six-bedroom annex at 5533-35 S. Tonti in Broadmoor—ZD-094-22. Appeal will be heard by the BZA on Dec. 5 at 10 a.m.
Nov. 24, 2022 The results of the State Fire Marshal’s inspection of 100 D2Ds in the university neighborhoods are now available from the office of State Rep. Aimee Freeman. The SFM concluded that there were no violations at 100 houses (mostly D2D conversions), although just 29 of the properties were available for an interior assessment. Email Rep. Freeman’s office for the annotated inspection list at hse098@legis.la.gov.
Nov. 10, 2022 John P. Hamide, dba Melody 3, LLC, has bought 1125 Hillary, a single-family shotgun, and the adjacent parcel at 7528-7530 Oak for $600,000. The purchase, which includes a double-door garage fronting Hillary, closed on Oct. 21. The properties were bought through Realtor Sidney Torres, V. They were first listed on Sept. 15, 2021, for $750,000.
Nov. 10, 2022 “Fire Marshal inspections of D2Ds yield no violations, report states,” Uptown Messenger.
Nov. 9, 2022 “Future of campus housing? More beds, more students,” Bethany Milner, Tulane Hullabaloo.
Nov. 1, 2022 “State Fire Marshal begins inspections of doubles-to-dorms, Town of Carrollton Watch reports,” Uptown Messenger.
Oct. 27, 2022 “What’s behind that fire safety email? More than you think,” student opinion piece, Tulane Hullabaloo.
Oct. 25, 2022 “Louisiana fire marshal issues warning to owners of 105 ‘doubles to dorms’ near Tulane, Loyola,” by Stephanie Riegel, Times-Picayune/N.O. Advocate.
Oct. 25, 2022 “State fire marshal warns doubles-to-dorms owners about safety violations, NOLA.com reports,” Uptown Messenger.
Oct. 24, 2022 The resubdivision/rezoning request for 8015 St. Charles/618 Short has been withdrawn. Originally scheduled for tomorrow’s (Oct. 25) City Planning Commission meeting, Zoning Docket 086-22 would have appended the rear portion of the residential-zoned property at 618 Short onto 8015 St. Charles, rezoning it as mixed use (HU-MU), like the rest of the 8015 St. Charles lot.
Oct. 23, 2022 The La. State Fire Marshal continued to visit private dormitory developments (D2Ds) in the University Area this weekend, with confirmed sightings on Audubon Street and on the 1500 block of Hillary on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 22). Officials posted notices at a number of D2Ds requesting that owners/tenants schedule an inspection for compliance with state fire safety laws.
Oct. 22, 2022 We were amused to find this “anarcho-capitalist” rationalization of D2Ds by Loyola economics professor Walter Block: “‘Doubles to Dorms’ Isn’t a Scandal, but Prohibiting Bidding on Real Estate Would Be,” Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) Stories. Block himself lives in a condo on St. Charles Avenue.
Oct. 21, 2022 On “Informed Sources” (WYES-TV 12), David Hammer discusses the Office of the Inspector General’s recently published audit of Safety and Permits (link to report). Link to video starts at timestamp 00:21:21. Business reporter Stephanie Riegel and David Hammer talk briefly at 00:24:40 about doubles-to-dorms in the context of the need to reform S&P.
Oct. 21, 2022 The Office of the State Fire Marshal visited Adams Street (between Maple and Burthe) late this afternoon, posting an inspection notice for 817-819 Adams and 823 Adams, owned by John P. Hamide and Preston Tedesco. State Rep. Aimee Freeman has been instrumental in coordinating the D2D inspections with OSFM. The buildings were part of a 5-parcel off market purchase, for $1,623,000, from Riverlake Properties on Dec. 3, 2020. The visit happened to coincide with the beginning of Wave ’22 Homecoming/Reunion/Family Weekend at Tulane.
Oct. 20, 2022 “State rep: The next ‘Double to Dorm’ could be near you“; letter to the editor from La. Rep. Aimee Freeman, Dist. 98, Times-Picayune/N.O. Advocate.
Oct. 18, 2022 The Office of the State Fire Marshal will conduct spot checks of fire safety conditions at D2Ds where more than four persons live in a unit. Dean Erica Woodley informed Tulane parents of the pending inspections in an email timestamped at 3:16 p.m. today (Oct. 18).
“Recently, we began working with the Louisiana State Fire Marshal and Louisiana State Rep. Aimee Freeman regarding fire safety issues in residential rental properties surrounding Tulane University. There have been reports that many properties designed as single-family homes or with limited occupancy are being operated as commercial properties, which have different fire safety criteria. The State Fire Marshal will soon begin doing spot-checks of residences with more than four occupants to ensure that fire safety requirements are met. . . . The State Fire Marshal has the authority to decrease the occupancy of a residence, and even to require all residents to leave an unsafe environment immediately.”
Oct. 16, 2022 See the new map of the new IZD—includes Marlyville, Broadmoor, and part of Audubon/Riverside.
Oct. 14, 2022 The single-story house at 935 Pine has been purchased from Craig Tolbert by Deb Singer, dba Pine and Freret Corner Development, LLC. Singer, whose primary company is Marley Development, LLC, has been advertising this and other Tolbert properties as “Marley-approved” student rentals. On Saturday, Oct. 22, 9–11 a.m., Singer will hold a meet-and-greet at the property to show off her new acquisition. It’s unclear whether the neighborhood is invited.
Oct. 12, 2022 The nineteenth-century house at 914 Dante has been nominated for HDLC landmarks designation. The nomination will be voted on by the New Orleans HDLC at its monthly hearing on Dec. 7, 2022. The house was the site of a Union Army hospital during the Civil War. It was the home of F.C. Zeller, one of the last mayors of the town of Carrollton.
Oct. 10, 2022 A new construction work permit was issued on Oct. 5, 2022, for the D2D at 7700 Burthe—the subdivided sideyard of the old house at 7706 Burthe. Architect is Avant Garde. The developer is a new group called Wave Development, LLC—apparently incubated at the Hamide/Tedesco D2D located at 7522 Burthe. Four bedrooms and 2.5 baths per unit are advertised at $6400/month. The property is apparently still owned by Riverlake. Ads and rendering are here.
Oct. 7, 2022 “Tulane, Loyola support stopgap City Council measure to slow ‘doubles to dorms’ home conversions,” by Stephanie Riegel, Times-Picayune/N.O. Advocate.
Oct. 7, 2022 The structural renovation work permit for 1615 Pine, owned by John Hamide and Preston Tedesco, was revoked today for “material misrepresentation on the application.” A new permit will be required. As issued, the permit allowed the developers to convert the single-family house into a triplex of ten bedrooms with no additional parking—against the provisions of the CZO. The problem came to light when neighbors filed two BZA appeals to challenge the DSP’s decision to issue the permit on July 26.
Oct. 6, 2022 “City Council issues new parking requirements Uptown to curtail ‘doubles to dorms’ trend,” by Sarah Ravits, Gambit Weekly.
Oct. 6, 2022 1515 Pine was purchased by the Heidenbergs, dba HH 1515 Pine, LLC, for $735,335 on 9/23/22; and 1018 Pine was purchased by Preston Tedesco and Sidney Torres V, dba 1018 Pine, LLC, for $735,000 on 10/5/22. Tedesco and Torres submitted a work permit for the property this morning before the IZD was enacted.
Oct. 6, 2022 The IZD passed in the City Council on a vote of 6–0. Helena Moreno was absent from the dais at the time. See the Motion M-22-449.
Oct. 5, 2022 “‘We’re fed up’: Uptown homeowners say ‘doubles to dorms’ replacing longtime residents with students—City Councilman Joe Giarrusso plans to introduce an updated ordinance aimed at slowing the development,” by Stephanie Riegel, Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate.
Oct. 5, 2022 Submit a public comment to the City Council by 8 a.m. tomorrow (Oct. 6) to approve the new IZD in the University Area. The IZD will take effect immediately, requiring developers to provide an off-street parking place for every new bedroom. Select Regular Agenda item 69 at the end of the comment form. Discussion is expected at around 2 p.m.
Sept. 28, 2022 Silver, Eckhaus and Schneider have purchased the duplex at 1530-32 Hillary, next-door to their purchase of earlier this year, 1526-28 Hillary (2/28/22), which they are renovating as a D2D. The house at 1534-36 Hillary was sold to John Hamide, dba 700B14, LLC, on 4/18/22. Makes for three dorms in a row—if in fact 1530-32 will also be a dorm. Ravi Doddamani owns another across the street at 1525-27 Hillary.
Sept. 19, 2022 Two more purchases by Hamide and Tedesco have been discovered after the fact. 1739 Broadway (their 33rd house in the neighborhood) was purchased on July 1, 2022 for $1,150,000 (est.); and 2201 Calhoun (#34) sold on September 9 for $1,450,000. See the updated map.
Sept. 14, 2022 Tulane Hullabaloo: “Stop Doubles to Dorms Movement Continues Amid New School Year,” by Mercedes Ohsen. Interview with Joe Giarrusso. Contains many inaccuracies and is not recommended.
Sept. 7, 2022 At its monthly hearing, the N.O. HDLC approved the full demolition of 6320 S. Robertson. (No new construction plans yet.) The HDLC deferred the partial demolition request for the elevation of the bungalow at 5919 Freret, where eight bedrooms will be installed (including a bedroom in a detached accessory structure) with no additional parking. Owners Calvin and Frances Fayard have retained attorney Mike Sherman and architect Patrick Melancon, the same team that’s working on the demolition of 1230 Webster.
Also deferred was the retention decision on 1218 Valmont. Zach Smith appeared for developer Andrew Yeates to argue that the building was demolished before the new fine structure took effect. The Commission generously allowed Mr. Smith an additional 30 days to gather evidence for his claim. At stake is $123,150 (15% of the 2022 assessed building value of $821,000)—vs. $10,000 under the old system. Mr. Smith is the former Safety and Permits head who was demoted after the 2019 Hard Rock Hotel disaster. The Valmont Street house was the lifelong home of Sadie Irvine (1887–1970)—artist and teacher in the Newcomb Pottery movement. See the full Agenda.
Sept. 1, 2022 Developer R. Gibson Lott can’t unload the old Ireland House at 925 Burdette. Price has dropped for the second time since first listed on June 24, 2022. Now it’s “just” $1,950,000. The original property sold to Michael Fabré (dba Crescent City Developers) on July 9, 2020 for less than this: $1,850,000. Fabré built five $1M houses on the subdivided grounds, selling the original manse to Lott for $750,000. Lott renovated it, adding a driveway. Now it looks like it’s in Lakeview or something. The N.O. Advocate helps out with a special puff piece by Victor Andrews: “For $1.95M, you can buy this 1852 Carrollton house with so much history that it has its own blog” (posted Sept. 1).
Aug. 31, 2022 Tedesco and Torres have begun construction at 7314 Zimpel with a revised plan. Now they’ll camelback the house—no HDLC approval necessary. Permit was issued on August 26. An earlier plan to build a second story atop the 1950s-era house was scuttled on appeal to the City Council on July 21.
Aug. 22, 2022 The single-family Craftsman cottage at 7316 Freret has been purchased by D2D developer Berry Silver. Closing date was 8/19/22; sale price, $455,000. We expect that the three-bedroom house will be converted into a private dorm (D2D) with at least eight bedrooms, grossing $10,000-12,000 per month. For more on Silver and his partners, Sholom Ber Eckhaus and Shea Schneider: “Childhood friends from Brooklyn investing in New Orleans,” Andrew Valenti, New Orleans CityBusiness, Dec. 2, 2021.
UPDATE: Property transfers published by the Times-Picayune/N.O. Advocate on Sept. 8 included this item—”Freret St. 7316: $455,000, Brian R. Friedman and Richard S. Friedman to Chaya Rivkin Cohen and Yosef Cohen.” Development updates to come.
Aug. 11, 2022 Christian Hooper, dba Riverlake Properties, is building a new 3266-sf D2D on a subdivided lot christened 7700-02 Burthe at the corner of Adams—next to the original single-family house at 7706 Burthe, the former site of the realty office. Get ready for 8 more dormitory bedrooms in the neighborhood, with just two parking places provided in a rear parking pad.
Aug. 10, 2022 1100 N. Broad is now for sale. List price: $385,000. Aug. 9, 2022: “Council Upholds Partial Demolition Of Original Ruth’s Chris Steak House,” by Katherine Hart for Mid-City Messenger. Aug. 6, 2022: “Unpermitted demolition at original Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse sparks preservation debate,” by Matt Sledge for Times-Picayune/N.O. Advocate.
Aug. 4, 2022 The generational former owners of the commercial property at 1100 N. Broad, Nick and Nancy Matulich, lost their appeal of the HDLC’s partial demolition OK in the City Council, 2-4. (Helena Moreno and JP Morrell voted to support; Oliver Thomas was absent.) It’s expected that developer Max Perret, assisted by architect Katherine Harmon, will market the building as short-term rentals. The appeal has implications across the partial–control historic districts.
Aug. 4, 2022 Preston Tedesco and Sidney Torres, V, filed another work permit to develop the single-story house at 7314 Zimpel into a double. This time—instead of demolishing 100% of the roof to add a second story, as originally planned—Tedesco and Torres will camelback the building with the same new living area (about 1200 sf) and artificially low (i.e., phony) construction value (about $140,000). Anticipated gross income: $15,000/mo. There’ll probably be no need to file an application with the HDLC for a Certificate of Appropriateness. More details (link to publicly-available FB page).
Aug. 3, 2022 The demolition hearings for two University Area/Carrollton houses, 6320 S. Robertson and 1023 Cambronne, were deferred at the N.O. HDLC’s monthly hearing. The representative for Lucas Ehrensing and Peter Ehrensing, new owners of 1023 Cambronne, appeared briefly at the speaker’s mike to ask for another 30 days, but did not give a reason for the request. Demolition Diva, the local representative for Robertson Family Holdings, LLC, based in Lafayette, La., failed to show up before the HDLC for the second month in a row. No further information is available about either application.
July 27, 2022 The single-family house at 7111 St. Charles has been advertised as a rental by owner-developer Louis Kong, marking the first appearance of a known D2D on St. Charles Avenue. Kong, whose FB handle is “Save Upper Saint Charles Avenue,” spent two years on the renovation, much of it unpermitted. Town of Carrollton Watch reported him for exceeding the scope of a permit for minor work in January 2021. Kong apparently exceeded the scope of three minor renovation permits to create this nine-bedroom, five-and-a-half bath, two-kitchen listing at $15,000/month. It’s unclear what Kong believes he is saving the Avenue from.
July 26, 2022 “Zimpel Street cottage sets off battle between developers and neighbors,” by Katherine Hart for Uptown Messenger.
July 21, 2022 Neighbor Robert Turner successfully appealed the HDLC’s approval of the partial demolition of 7314 Zimpel to the City Council. The vote was unanimous; Moreno and Thomas were absent at the time. The non-contributing single-story house was purchased on April 29, 2022, by Sidney Torres, V, and Preston Tedesco for $475,000. The work permit was filed on April 20, before the sale closed.
July 14, 2022 Southern California investor Marci Surfas, dba Laguna Ventures, LLC, bought the house at 7107 Maple (via 7107 Maple, LLC) for $640,000 on May 12, 2022; and 1209 Pine (via 1209 Pine, LLC) for $1,005,000 on June 21, 2022. On July 14, Surfas was cited for working at 1209 Pine without a permit; she was fined $960. Her contractor has submitted permits for interior demolition and structural renovation. Looks like 1209 Pine will remain a one-family dwelling for now. (The permit notes “six bedrooms or more.”)
All properties were bought with Kay Randels of Latter and Blum. See the interactive map of all D2Ds.
June 30, 2022 John Hamide, dba Melody 1, LLC, purchased 1315 Lowerline for $775,000. The property was bought with realtor Haj Langford. The list price was $774,000; but the recorded price was just $319,000 “and other valuable consideration.” Melody 1, LLC, was registered with the La. S.O.S. on May 20; two more entities in the new series, Melody 2, LLC, and Melody 3, LLC, were registered on June 6.
June 23, 2022 The City Council granted an appeal by Dr. Curt Freudenberger to proceed with the “partial” demolition and renovation of the 1905 Queen Anne at 1230 Webster, with the proviso that the primary facade and first room should be retained. The vote was 5 to 1, with CM JP Morrell voting against—calling the approval a bad precedent. CM Helena Moreno was absent from the dais at the time. Mike Sherman of Sherman Strategies was the attorney for the appellant. The latest plan for the house, dated March 18, 2022, and designed by architect Patrick Melancon, keeps just 27.5% of the original house.
June 17, 2022 David Hammer reported on WWL about the S&WB’s proposed demolition of 7330 Cohn and 1823 Lowerline: “S&WB hires contractor convicted of illegal dumping to demolish historic building [at 7730 Cohn]: The HDLC denied the demolition permit on June 1, but admitted in a letter June 2 it has no actual power to stop it.” See the video.
June 14, 2022 Central Carrollton Association hosted a meeting with the S&WB about the demolition of the old corner store at 7330 Cohn (at Lowerline) to accommodate a new pumping station. The building facade retains many original architectural features. The S&WB has allowed the building to fall into disrepair. There are big concerns about the impact of the smell, noise and parking disruption that will accompany the demolition and construction—especially for the popular restaurant in the immediate area. The City demolition permit has still not been issued. Read the transcript of the June 1 HDLC hearing.
June 10, 2022 Jacqueline Galli, “City board denies neighbors’ appeals over doubles-to-dorms conversion on Audubon,” uptownmessenger.com. Concerns the development of 636 Audubon from five units with (allegedly) 11 bedrooms into four units with 16; includes a three by three tandem parking lot. Developers: John Hamide and Preston Tedesco. Architect: Loretta Harmon.
June 10, 2022 John P. Hamide has recently registered several new LLCs with the Secretary of State: 700B17, LLC, on May 10, 2022; and 700B18 on May 12. Attorney Pedro Galeas was the registration agent, as usual. (So far Hamide, together with associate Preston Tedesco, has actually used 700B through 700B14, LLC, in developing commercial private student housing in the residential-zoned University Area.) On May 24, 2022, John P. Hamide registered another LLC in his new development series, Citizen Property IV, LLC. The registration agent on this occasion was attorney Stephen Dwyer of Metairie. Hamide seems to have no plans to stop developing our neighborhood for us.
June 6, 2022 The BZA rejected the appeals of neighbors in the matter of docket #040-22 and #041-22, the zoning verification and work permit for John Hamide and Preston Tedesco’s D2D development at 636 Audubon, which will turn an apartment building with a current occupancy of five to seven tenants into a 16-bedroom private dorm. See the Meeting Agenda with links to the staff report and public comments. See video here.
June 6, 2022 In docket #036-22, the BZA granted developer Edie Pitt a variance for insufficient rear setback in her renovation of a single-family house at 1015 Adams. See the Meeting Agenda with links to the staff report and public comments. See video here.
June 1, 2022 The HDLC reviewed the partial demolition application for 7314 Zimpel, owned by Sidney Torres, V, and Preston Tedesco. The application was approved, although Commissioners Bruno and King voted against it. Watch the video (beginning at 02:14:47). Also at this hearing, developer Tara Tedesco (Preston Tedesco’s aunt) was fined $10,000, the maximum fine, for renovations in deviation from the Certificate of Appropriateness in her development at 7108 Coliseum.
May 4, 2022 The HDLC reviewed the proposed demolition of the roof (100%) and front facade (36.2%) at 7314 Zimpel. A second story would be added to the non-contributing-rated house. Architect Loretta Harmon has posted plans that show a total of eight bedrooms in two units. The inclusion of two discrete rooms labeled “dining room” leads us to believe that this will be a ten-bedroom D2D. (Dining rooms are exempt from Councilman Joe Giarrusso’s default definition of a “bedroom” in the University Area Overlay, CZO 18.30.) See the HDLC Staff report on 7314 Zimpel. Per the motion of Commissioner Stephanie Bruno (Uptown Historic District), the item was deferred until the June 1 hearing.
April 29, 2022 Sidney (Sam) Torres, V, closed on the single-family house at 7314 Zimpel for $475,000.
April 25, 2022 The sale of 1534–36 Hillary to D2D developer John P. Hamide (dba 700B14, LLC) closed on April 18 for $490,000. The property manager is Preston Tedesco. Two market-rate 2-bedroom rentals are expected to give way to D2Ds with at least 8 bedrooms. The house has two driveways. A work permit application has not yet been posted. The listing agent was Phillip Lobman of Keller-Williams; the house was bought with Sidney (Sam) Torres, V, of the Real Estate Consortium.
April 15, 2022 D2D developer Ravi Doddamani (dba ESN Property, LLC) has purchased 1108 Lowerline and the adjoining 3766 sf vacant lot at 7429 Zimpel for $795,000.
April 12, 2022 Preston Tedesco (dba 700B9, LLC) was cited on Apr. 12, 2022, for working without a permit at 1533 Broadway, where he’s resumed construction on the basement apartment he began in this single-family home in the winter of 2020-2021.
April 6, 2022 Preston Tedesco, dba 700B10, LLC, was cited for exceeding the scope of roof demolition at 817-819 Adams, a single-story contributing building in the Carrollton Historic District. Tedesco was fined $7500 at the April 6, 2022, hearing of the N.O. HDLC.
April 5, 2022 Zoning Docket 012/22. The City Planning Commission voted down Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), 6 to 2. See the video. Former CM Palmer’s City Council Motion No. M-21-435 proposed the text amendment to the CZO that would allow the development of accessory buildings as living space. The issue now goes to the City Council.
March 29, 2022 Katherine Hart, “City Council upholds demolition of bungalow on Henry Clay,” uptownmessenger.com. The demolition permit for 1025 Henry Clay was issued on March 29.
March 25, 2022 The former Ione apartment building at 838 Lowerline has been acquired by Les Bon Temps Ventures, LLC, domiciled in Harahan, for $3,336,500. See the publicly available post on Facebook for more information.
March 24, 2022 District A Councilman Joe Giarrusso, III, denied our appeal of the HDLC-approved demolition of 1025 Henry Clay Avenue by its new owner—Baton Rouge developer Jim Brown, III. We are considering an appeal to the Civil District Court. Watch the video of the proceedings in the City Council, timestamped to begin at the Henry Clay item.
March 23, 2022 “Viewpoint: We need to stop demolishing our historic homes,” uptownmessenger.com. Sponsored editorial by the author of this site argues against the demolition of houses in historic neighborhoods—with 1025 Henry Clay as a case in point.
March 17, 2022 The sale of 1503 Pine Street closed last week. It was purchased by the Heidenbergs, dba HH 1503 Pine St., LLC, for $845,000. The house—their eleventh in the neighborhood—is not yet listed on the company website.
March 9, 2022 The HDLC announced that the increase in the fine for illegal demolitions will go before La. Legislature as Rep. Aimee Freeman’s HB193: $25,000 or 15% of the construction value, whichever is greater. (Up from $10,000.) The bill was introduced on the calendar on Feb. 25.
February 24, 2022 Preston Tedesco was issued a stop-work order for exceeding the scope of his permit at 817-19 Adams.
February 18, 2022 Developer Edie Pitt acquired yet another rental property on January 31, 2022—the orange single-family house at 1015 Adams—for just $160,000. A permit application and contractor’s estimate dated Jan. 26 were filled out in the previous resident’s name. Two minor work permit applications were filed on Jan. 31 and Feb. 3. (These have since been combined into one permit.) Neither has been issued, but Pitt started work immediately and quickly exceeded the scope of the permits, gutting the interior and adding onto the back of the house. Work on this rear addition was finished by 2/19/22. Neighbors repeatedly contacted the City with complaints. The violation was registered by Safety and Permits on Feb. 22.
February 2, 2022 The HDLC reviewed and denied the application for the demolition of 1925 Fern. The out-of-state owners of the double shotgun at 1925 Fern—Taylor Nobles of Houston and Kurt Buchert of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, dba Ole Oaks Holdings, LLC—alleged damage by Hurricane Ida. The owners want to build a new two-family residence. There is no evidence that they sought to remedy the damage. The owners did not appeal the demolition to the City Council.
January 25, 2022 We confirmed with the City Planning Commission that Riverlake Properties’ application for a minor subdivision at 914 Dante has been withdrawn.
January 5, 2022 The HDLC’s hearing of the application for the demolition of 1925 Fern was deferred until the next meeting on February 2, 2022—so that a City inspector may review Hurricane Ida’s purported damage to the structure on both the interior and exterior of the building. Watch the meeting video from Jan. 5 from timestamp 03:34:38.
December 27, 2021 The subdivided sideyard at 1230 Broadway was sold to Frederick C. Kramer by 1230 Broadway Development, LLC, for $317,500. No construction plans have been posted yet. Kramer is a Florida resident who purchased three investment properties in New Orleans in last six months of 2021.
December 23, 2021 The University Area Off-Street Parking Overlay District has been codified in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance as Article 18.30. It supersedes the (now expired) University Area IZD. The Overlay territory is greatly expanded; the requirements of the Overlay, however, are far less stringent than those of the IZD. See a map of the Overlay.
December 18, 2021 Riverlake Properties unloads two more properties in Carrollton.
On Dec. 5, Preston Tedesco and John Hamide, dba 700b13, LLC, purchased 1133 Pine (at Oak) for a publicly listed price of $439,700. (Actual purchase price was $1.1M.) Also, 315 W. Clay Flats, LLC, a corporate entity domiciled in Houston, purchased 1000 Lowerline (at Freret) for $799,000 on Dec. 3. Source: Times-Picayune/N.O. Advocate, Orleans Parish property transfers, Dec. 16, 2021. The sales are part of a continuing trend—Riverlake has been selling off its properties in the past year.
December 16, 2021 Ryan Nelsen, “Affordable housing rezoning, quality of life ticketing measures approved by City Council,” WWNO Radio. (Article contains several errors.)
December 16, 2021 Ben Myers, “New Orleans council allows fourplexes amid continued debate over short-term rentals,” Times-Picayune/N.O. Advocate.
December 16, 2021 The City Council unanimously passed CM Palmer’s motion M-21-471, permitting four-plexes in most residential neighborhoods by right—with the suspension of off-street parking and minimum lot area requirements—if developers include one affordable housing unit along with the market-rate units. (The market-rate units may also be operated as short-term rentals—at one STR per dwelling—though an Interim Zoning District prohibiting STRs as proposed by CM Moreno is still possible. ) An affordable housing component is not necessary for four-plexes in the Marigny, Tremé and Bywater, which may be developed as a conditional use. See video here.
December 15, 2021 Ryan Nelsen, “More affordable housing or short-term rentals? Why a rezoning effort is being met with resistance,” WWNO Radio.
December 14, 2021 Tulane’s announcement about Fogelman Hall, a new dormitory, highlights another milestone in its construction of a campus residential complex called The Village, which “represents the most significant capital investment in Tulane’s history.” It’s reported that upon the completion of the project, the university will be able to house all juniors on campus. Whether all juniors will be required to live on campus—thus easing the strain of private student housing development on adjacent neighborhoods—is another question. And see “Tulane University’s Burgeoning Residential Village Receives Major Donation,” Uptown Messenger (Dec. 14).
December 13, 2021 At the Governmental Affairs/Community Development Committee meeting of the City Council, it was determined that ZD 84/21 (the “Four-plex Amendment”) will be considered at the December 16th regular City Council meeting under a so-called substitute motion M-21-471 proposed by CM Palmer. Watch the meeting video. (Timestamp is 00:31:30.)
December 10, 2021 CM Kristin Palmer arranged a Zoom Meeting to address concerns about ZD 84/21, the so-called Four-Plex Amendment. City Planning Commission staff was on hand to answer questions; Palmer herself was not.
November 20, 2021 618 Short Street has been sold for an undisclosed amount to Terry Tedesco Homes, LLC. (Source: T-P/N.O. Advocate.)
November 18, 2021 See the story by Ben Myers, “N.O. City Council backs Uptown parking restrictions aimed at reining in student housing,” Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, November 18, 2021.
November 18, 2021 The University Area Overlay was enacted by the City Council at a regular meeting. The Overlay is meant to stop overdevelopment by bad-actor developers. It succeeds the University Area IZD in an expanded territory while exempting owner-occupants and affordable housing construction. The CZO citation is at Article 18.30.
November 11, 2021 1736 Pine was been flipped by Preston Tedesco and Sidney (Sam) Torres, V, dba S&P Real Estate, LLC, to HMPCO, LLC, for $850,000. Tedesco and Torres bought the house on April 9, 2021, for $399,000. The Certificate of Occupancy was issued on August 19, 2021. The first-floor apartment has been advertised for 4 bedrooms, the new camelback for 3 bedrooms. The construction value was estimated at just $76,000—but Tedesco always underestimates his costs. First time we know of that a D2D has been flipped.
November 7, 2021 The subdivision of 7706 Burthe (corner of Adams) was approved on Oct. 11, 2021. The subdivision creates a 3600 sf lot fronting Burthe—the minimum area for a two-family dwelling. The new address is 7700 Burthe. The lot retains a curb cut on Adams.
The owner is Riverlake Properties, whose office address is still listed on the company website as 826 Adams St., in the rear of the original building at 7706 Burthe. For more information, see the Facebook posts on the subdivision at August 13, 2021 and May 26, 2021.
November 5, 2021 The City Planning Commission has postponed its discussion of the update of the City’s Subdivision Regulations of 1999 until a date TBD in 2022. The issue will be officially deferred at the November 9 CPC meeting. Sources: Preliminary staff report and Nov. 5 email from CPC staff.
November 1, 2021 It was reported in yesterday’s Times-Picayune/N.O. Advocate that the spires of Mater Dolorosa Church on South Carrollton were damaged by Hurricane Ida. See David Grunfeld’s photo.
October 28, 2021 Jacqueline Galli of the Loyola Maroon reports on doubles to dorms from the Loyola campus perspective: “Uptown home expansions impact community.” In August, Loyola published its Fall 2021 stats for first-year admissions—973 new arrivals, a 25% increase over last year’s admissions. Some have noted this number actually represents a recoup, as admissions took a considerable dive some years ago.
October 27, 2021 A new page of links to HDLC materials has been added to the site.
October 15, 2021 Greg LaRose of WDSU appeared on Informed Sources (WYES) last night to talk about doubles to dorms and the new Overlay. Watch the Oct. 14 segment on YouTube here.
October 9, 2021 Reported by Jessica Williams, Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate: New Orleans City Council OK’s rules against ‘doubles-to-dorms’ conversions Uptown.
October 8, 2021 Reported by Greg LaRose, WDSU-TV (see video and accompanying article): New Orleans council makes permanent zoning law change to limit “doubles to dorms” spread.
October 8, 2021 Reported by Katherine Hart, Uptown Messenger: City Council Approves University Area Off-Street Parking Overlay.
October 7, 2021 The City Council voted to approve the University Area Overlay, which will replace the University Area Interim Zoning District (IZD) in an extended territory. Carves out owner-occupants and affordable housing properties. More information.
August 13, 2021 The fresh new townhouse at 917 Burdette (Lot 5A) is now for sale, listed at $1,109,000 by realtor Terrence Davis of Keller-Williams. [Update: the house was sold on Sept. 23.] And keep watching for a listing for 913 Burdette (Lot 4A—where the Certificate of Occupancy was issued on July 29, 2021); 929 Burdette (Lot 8); 933 Burdette (Lot 9); and 937 Burdette (Lot 10). So you can multiply that figure by five.
These houses were developed by Michael Fabre and Chris Roberts, dba Crescent City Developers, on the subdivided grounds of the old Ireland-Maginnis House (1855), which still stands at 925 Burdette, shorn also of its wings and caretaker’s cottage. Fabre and Roberts sold the historic house to developer R. Gibson Lott, dba SUBU.2, LLC, for $725,000 in December 2020. They bought the original property for a song in July 2020—just $1,800,000. They also finagled a waiver of IZD off-street parking requirements for the five lots.
With the Carrollton Courthouse given over to corporate owner Felicity Property Company, and types like Tedesco-Torres, Amicus Properties, the Heidenbergs, and the Singer-Langford team (dba Marley Development) gobbling up residential property for private student housing, the old neighborhood has become a veritable feast for developers. In the absence of real action from the City—it’s time for an Enforcer.
August 6, 2021 A demolition permit was issued for the single-family home at 1441 State Street, purchased in late July 2021 by Butler Brown Development, dba Bb1441, LLC, for $1.5 million. At the Aug. 4 HDLC meeting, representative Scott Powell of Public Properties, LLC, stated: “We have plans for one house here”—in answer to Chairman Jesse LeBlanc’s blunt question about whether Butler Brown would subdivide the 10,980-sf lot post-demolition.
The house was designed by architect George J. Riehl. States-Item columnist Tommy Griffin mentioned it in brief in June 1962 (.pdf). See also Martha Ann Samuel, “A Planned Paradox,” Times-Picayune, May 10, 1964, Dixie Roto, pages 16-17 (.pdf). And see more about Riehl’s New Orleans buildings, both residential and commercial.
August 4, 2021 At its monthly meeting, N.O. HDLC staff reported on efforts by Commissioners Lee Bressler and Jason King to increase the illegal demolition fine (currently $10,000 maximum) by indexing it to 15% of the assessed value of a building, like the methodology/structure currently used by the Neighborhood Conservation District. The proposal must be sent to the La. Legislature as part of the Mayor’s legislative agenda.
July 29, 2021 A special page on Subdivisions has been added to this site. The topic flared up recently as a general policy issue at the CPC meeting of July 27, 2021. Please check back soon for important updates.
July 28, 2021 A stop-work order was posted at 2204-06 Octavia Street. Marengo Investments, LLC, has been fined a total of $6,960. Owner Matt Rosendahl of Valmont Properties had been working since mid-June without a permit. Contractor is Riverbend Construction of La., LLC. We mention the property because it’s located just outside the boundary of the proposed University Area Overlay. See more details on 2204-06 Octavia on Facebook. [Update at July 31: fine has been reduced to $3280.][Update at Sept. 25: fine has been reduced to just $240.]
July 28, 2021 A stop-work order was posted at 1415-17 Audubon Street, where Tedesco’s crew was working without a permit—quietly, in the back of the property. A fine of $440 was imposed. [August 15: update coming soon.]
July 23, 2021 Preston Tedesco, dba 700B8, LLC, was fined for continuing to work without a permit at 1128-1138 Adams and 7710-14 Oak Street, a five-cottage complex purchased from Riverlake Properties on Sept. 30, 2020. The permit application has been open since February 8. See Tedesco’s other, similar violations. A stop-work order was posted on-site at Adams/Oak on June 29 to no effect. On July 21, a worker was observed sitting in front of the buildings as a lookout while construction activity continued. [Update at July 28: another round of fines were imposed on Tuesday, July 27, when work continued throughout the weekend.]
July 21, 2021 Per the HDLC, Felicity Property Company, developer and part-owner of the Carrollton Courthouse, will not appeal the fine levied on them by the HDLC on July 7, 2021, for their illegal demolition of the historic Courthouse schoolhouse. In addition, the N.O. HDLC confirmed that it would consider a demolition fine increase at the next meeting, scheduled for Wed., Aug. 4, at 1:30 p.m. The current maximum fine for an illegal demolition is $10,000. An increase would require the approval of the Louisiana Legislature.
July 13, 2021 The City Planning Commission voted to deny a recommendation of the new University Area Off-Street Parking Overlay. The final staff report is due at the City Council by July 24. The City Council then has sixty days in which to vote on the Overlay, which would succeed and extend the boundaries of the University Area IZD. The IZD will end on Sept. 17, 2021. See the timestamped links to the July 13th meeting video and a map of the Overlay.
A transcript of the CPC’s July 13 deliberations on Docket #044-21 (.pdf) is now available.
July 11, 2021 In a triumphant “post-pandemic” return to the New Orleans music scene, Benny Grunch and the Bunch performed at Carrollton Station, 8140 Willow Street, for the benefit of Town of Carrollton Watch. Photos by Claudia Garofalo.
July 9, 2021 Katherine Hart reports on the New Orleans HDLC meeting of July 7 in the Uptown Messenger: “Carrollton Courthouse developer fined for razing schoolhouse building.”
July 7, 2021 The unpermitted demolition (in May 2021) of the Carrollton Courthouse schoolhouse at 701 South Carrollton Avenue was considered at the New Orleans HDLC meeting. This was the single-story building on the Maple Street side of the site, dating from the 1880s. In the City’s video, the discussion of the “retention of demolition” for the Courthouse schoolhouse starts at timestamp 02:50:00.
HDLC Commissioner for Carrollton Lee Bressler (BF ’77) stressed the need for higher fines (03:25:55) for unpermitted demolitions. The final vote (03:33:20) approved retention while levying the maximum fine of $10,000. The Courthouse developer, Felicity Property Company, has 10 days in which to appeal the decision to the City Council. HDLC Chairman Jesse LeBlanc II announced his intention to establish a subcommittee to set higher fines as recommended by Bressler, especially for such high-profile sites as the Courthouse.
July 2, 2021 The sale of the “vacant land” at 1230 Broadway—the subdivided old sideyard of 1238 Broadway—is now pending. The sale price is $325,000. The seller is 1230 Broadway Development, LLC (.pdf).
A deed restriction limits the density of the lot to single-family use—or to a single-family house with a mother-in-law suite. More details. However, the size of the lot is 6120 sf, potentially accommodating a three-unit dwelling, though a special application for a non-conforming use would be necessary. The original parcel—that is, the unsubdivided 1238 Broadway—was purchased on December 28, 2018, for $1,325,000. The subdivision was approved (.pdf) by the City Planning Commission on November 6, 2020.
June 28, 2021 The raised-basement Craftsman bungalow at 1602 Pine was sold to Heidenberg Group Rental Properties on June 28, 2021.
Howard and Daniel Heidenberg, a father-and-son developer pair based in Tampa, buy and rent University Area houses to students. (They never renovate, it seems, so this is not the classic D2D phenomenon of gutting a house for conversion into an open space living-kitchen-dining area plus bedrooms and bathrooms.) The properties are mostly leased as single-family houses. According to the company site, this one has six bedrooms.
If 1602 Pine is rented as a single-family house to six student tenants—that’s against zoning, per the CZO/Article 26 definition of a “family” as no more than 4 unrelated people per unit. The law is never enforced, however.
As far as we know, this is the Heidenbergs’ first purchase since they bought the Sisters of Mercy convent at 6028 Freret—13 bedrooms; $12K/mo.—in July 2020. (Otherwise, we’ve noticed that the Heidenbergs are no longer posting rents on their website.) And herewith we’ve lost another homestead exemption in the neighborhood—the mark of owner-occupancy.
June 25, 2021 Preston Tedesco and John Hamide have purchased 1720 Broadway, their 29th house in the University Area. The sale closed on April 29, 2021. The list price was $625,000. Preston Tedesco owns two additional houses, 7313-15 Freret and 1736 Pine (a block away from 1720 Broadway), in partnership with others. [Update: 1736 Pine was sold on Oct. 29, 2021.]
See the current map of private student housing in the University Area. Tedesco and Hamide have not yet applied for a renovation permit. Approval will no doubt be rubber-stamped by Safety and Permits.
June 18, 2021 On June 11, developer Fred Chiu purchased the duplex at 2407 Palmer Avenue for $495,000 from developer Gibson Lott.
Lott had bought the property in a succession sale on April 16 for $350,000. He is also (for the moment, anyway) the owner of 925 Burdette Street—the formerly grand Ireland House, now shorn of its grounds, its caretaker’s cottage demolished.
Chiu also owns 2525 Palmer Avenue, purchased for $765,000 from Eric Nelson of New York City on November 25, 2020. (Preston Tedesco was Nelson’s agent in that sale.)
So Lott turns a tidy profit of almost $150,000; and Chiu gets a new investment property that is not subject to the restrictions of the IZD, which compels a homeowner to provide an off-street parking space for each new bedroom. (The “Overlay” that would extend the territory of the IZD to include Palmer Avenue will not go into effect until later this year.) Both of the developers win. As for the neighborhood—we’ve lost another homestead exemption (i.e., an owner-occupied home), while gaining more trash and noise and parking problems. See the current properties map.
June 12, 2021 Town of Carrollton Watch is now on Instagram. Please send neighborhood photos to contact@townofcarrolltonwatch.org. We’re especially interested in construction sites.
June 10, 2021 The windows of the Carrollton Courthouse were removed on June 9. Four hundred piles will be driven on either side of the Courthouse: the operation is scheduled to last for 4 weeks. The old custodial cottage (aka “the old schoolhouse,” on the Maple Street side of the building), has been demolished. The structure served first as Mr. Romeo’s Russian and Latin classroom in the 1960s at Ben Franklin Senior H.S., and later as the studio art and biology classrooms. Watch for a follow-up on this topic, as the cottage was supposed to be rebuilt by the developer, Felicity Property Company, under a new construction permit in Music Box Village on North Rampart. Not least—Benjamin, the Courthouse cat who’d taken up residence on the grounds, is being well cared for by a neighbor.
June 6, 2021 Rep. Aimee Freeman’s HB372 was deferred by the La. Senate Committee on Health and Welfare today (Sunday, June 6) for further discussion and study. So it’s dead in the water for this year. The bill would provide for stiffer penalties for bad-actor developers in New Orleans. Councilman Joe Giarrusso, III, was also in attendance. Video is available here (timestamp for begins at about 00:08:00).
June 2, 2021 Architect Loretta Harmon submitted a new structural renovation work permit application for the Hamide/Tedesco D2D at 820-822 Hillary, voiding the application she submitted on March 19. The developers have changed the existing use from multifamily (Mar. 19) to two-family (June 2). As a result, they may expand the footprint without establishing non-conforming use. More information to come.
June 2, 2021 We lost our lawsuit against the City, the Board of Zoning Adjustments, and Tammie Jackson, Director of the Department of Safety and Permits. Judge Paulette Irons ruled in favor of the City. Amicus Properties is now free to install 4 more bedrooms in the D2D at 7612-14 Burthe St. for a total of 8 bedrooms—without adding off-street parking. Thanks for supporting your neighbors in this suit.
May 28, 2021 The much-disputed structure at 2431 State Street (corner Willow) is now on the market with three condos for sale, starting at $735K. The property, owned by Bahram Khoobehi and associates, was the subject of a failed BZA appeal by neighbors on August 10, 2020. Architect is Charles I. Silbernagel, CIS Architects, Metairie. There are nine bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom—and a total of three parking places. Listed by Charlotte Dorion of Berkshire Hathaway.
May 24, 2021 The demolition application for 1028 Eleonore Street has been withdrawn from the Historic District Landmarks Commission Agenda for June 2. Owners: Michael Grishman and Butler Brown Development; architect: Charles Neyrey. More details are available on Facebook.
Elevation is no longer permitted in Historic Districts (whether control is full or partial), thanks to an ordinance redefining demolition (.pdf) proposed by Councilmembers Giarrusso, Banks, and Palmer and passed on March 25, 2021, by the City Council.
May 24, 2021 Demolition has already commenced at 1736 Pine. Workers showed up at 7 a.m. to cut off the rear 47.7% of the roof to provide for a three-bedroom camelback. Fifty percent is the limit, as mandated by the Historic District Landmarks Commission.
“Sure they didn’t take off more?” No, we’re not. The HDLC has been alerted to the possibility. Owners Preston Tedesco and Sidney Torres V state that the house will contain 6 bedrooms in total. Looking at the extra “office” and formal dining room—superfluous rooms for students—included in the plans, we come up with 8. When you’re a developer, your arithmetic follows a different calculus. For the time being, though, the house is being advertised with an Aug. 1 move-in date at a rent of $3,000/unit.
May 23, 2021 We’re updating our list of properties to include permit application dates and permit issue dates. This will assist anyone who wants to watch the calendar of the 45-day appeals window for a given property. Another new category in the table is “Needs NCU?”—which shows whether the developer must confirm a non-conforming use. Other oddities/exceptions are noted in the Status section. (Check the list soon for more updates.)
May 20, 2021 “Loyola plans to welcome a record number of freshmen, as students and local residents brace for a potential housing shortage,” in the Uptown Messenger.
May 17, 2021 Uptown Messenger reports on 914 Dante Street, where a historic house and sideyard—and many concerned neighbors—are feeling the pressure of development: “Proposed subdivision of historic property causes controversy in Carrollton.” (Update: 914 Dante was nominated on Oct. 12, 2022 for HDLC landmarks nomination.)
May 17, 2021 Our neighbors’ appeals in re 631 Broadway and 1409 Broadway, owned by Amicus Properties, were both denied by the BZA. Thanks for your support and hard work on these issues.
May 14, 2021 We went to the Capitol yesterday (May 13) to hear the House Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs discuss La. Rep. Aimee Freeman’s HB372, which would impose higher penalties on bad-actor developers in New Orleans. The bill passed the Committee and will next go to the House. Here is a digest of the law; and the full text of HB372 and its amendments. And here’s more information about HB372.
Watch the video. Discussion of HB372 begins at about 0:13:00.
May 9, 2021 Please submit a comment to the BZA at CPCinfo@nola.gov in support of the neighborhood’s two BZA appeals that will be heard on May 17 at 10 a.m. Your written public comment is due on Monday, May 10, by 5 p.m. There will be another chance to submit a public comment during the hearing.
May 7, 2021 Architect Loretta Harmon has submitted plans to renovate the multi-family building at 812-14 Audubon. The plans are not yet visible on OneStop—a request has been made—but the application summary indicates that the building will contain 14 bedrooms in 3 units. (As the CZO allows for just 4 unrelated persons to a unit, this plan would require a permit of conditional use.) Project description reads: “Reconfiguration of bathrooms and kitchens; minimal new walls, doors and windows.” An unusually realistic construction value of $100K is quoted. Owners are Dr. John P. Hamide and Preston Tedesco, dba 700B8, LLC.
May 4, 2021 Architect Loretta Harmon has submitted plans to camelback the single-family Craftsman residence at 1736 Pine. The plans, dated April 30, 2021, add just 3 bedrooms and 3 parking places in the rear of the house—in apparent compliance with the IZD. You may view the plans here.
But 2 rooms in the original house, now labeled “dining room” and “office,” are suspect. Why? Because they’re not bedrooms, bathrooms, or an open-plan living/kitchen area, and therefore can’t earn the new owner any money. Harmon’s total count: 6 bedrooms. Our guess: 8 bedrooms—and another attempt to skirt the IZD. The new owners of this house are yet to be identified. [Updates at May 5–6: the house was purchased on April 9, 2021, for $399K by Sidney Torres V and Preston Tedesco, dba S&P Real Estate, LLC (.pdf).]
May 1, 2021 Town of Carrollton Watch maintains an unpublished list of homeowners and renters in and around Carrollton who have been displaced by the doubles-to-dorms phenomenon. We’d also like to know of any houses that are likely to fall to developers under the domino effect of development pressure. Please write contact@townofcarrolltonwatch.org with any such news, which will be held in the strictest confidence.
April 25, 2021 A mandatory injunction was signed by a judge in Civil District Court on April 22 to compel the City to issue a stop-work order on construction at 7612-14 Burthe Street, owned by Amicus Properties. The City posted a stop-work order at the property on Friday, April 23.
On March 19, 2021, a lawsuit was filed to compel the City to require that Amicus’s structural renovation work permit should be governed by the University Area IZD, which was enacted by the New Orleans City Council on March 5, 2020, the same day Amicus applied for the permit.
The lawsuit seeks an appeal of the BZA’s February 18 ruling that upheld the decision by the Department of Safety and Permits to allow Amicus to develop the house as if the IZD were not yet in effect. (Burthe Street neighbor Robert Strain filed the BZA appeal on November 12, 2020, and argued the case before the BZA on January 11, 2021, and February 8.)
A hearing date has not yet been set. Co-plaintiffs in the suit are Susan Johnson and the Town of Carrollton Watch, LLC. Counsel is Sonny Shields of Shields Mott, LLP. [Update at May 1, 2021: neighbors Claudia Garofalo and Robert Strain have joined the suit as co-plaintiffs. Hearing will occur on June 2 at 9 a.m.]
Please consider making a donation to the legal defense fund for this effort. Maple Area Residents, Inc. (MARI) is accepting funds via a dedicated PayPal account. You may also donate via Venmo at www.venmo.com/u/TownofCarrolltonWatch; via check; or via our Facebook fundraiser. See more information at 7612-14 Burthe Street Legal Defense Fund.
April 21, 2021 The second BZA appeal in the matter of 631 Broadway, owned by Amicus Properties, has been docketed for the May 17th hearing date.
April 21, 2021 The second BZA appeal in the matter of 1409 Broadway, owned by Amicus Properties, has also been docketed for the May 17th hearing date.
April 20, 2021 On April 16, Architect Loretta Harmon posted an application for a non-structural renovation permit for 1415-17 Audubon Street, purchased from Audubon Properties, LLC, on September 30, 2020, by John Hamide and Preston Tedesco, dba 700B8, LLC. Harmon’s plans, dated April 14, show three bedrooms in either unit with two extra rooms, which, we conjecture, are spuriously labeled—so that the house contains ten bedrooms, not six.
April 11, 2021 Neighbors near the Tulane campus have filed their second Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) appeal against Amicus Properties in the matter of 1409 Broadway, seeking to compel the Department of Safety and Permits (DSP) to issue a new work permit for the private student housing complex that is now rising at the site. The appeal is expected to be docketed on April 20 for the tentative hearing date of May 17.
The first BZA appeal had a positive result: on August 20, 2020, the BZA issued a ruling overturning DSP’s decision (.pdf) to issue the developer’s original permit for multi-family use (in 3 units, with 12 bedrooms total). The BZA decision was upheld by Judge Sidney Cates on January 12, 2021, in Civil District Court.
But on February 25, the DSP allowed Amicus simply to submit new plans for double-family use (in 2 units, with 8 bedrooms) under the same permit, rather than issuing a new one—which would have entailed governance by the University Area IZD. That is, under a new permit, Amicus would be obliged by law to supply off-street parking for the 4 new bedrooms the company is adding to the original Craftsman bungalow, which dates from around 1919.
A comparison of the plans of architect Seth Welty shows that the total area of the complex has been reduced by 20%—from 4397 sf (in the original design of February 3, 2020) to 3482 sf (in the revised plans of January 22, 2021).
Nevertheless, one room that was formerly labeled a bedroom (A105—shaded green in the layouts below) has been retained and renamed “living/TV room,” while a bathroom in the other unit (B109—shaded yellow) has been reconfigured into a “study,” allowing for the likely possibility that the “two-family” structure will finally (with a bit of reconstructive carpentry) contain 10 rather than 8 bedrooms, earning Amicus $10K/month instead of just $8K/month.
Complete plans are available on OneStop.
Public comments may be submitted a week prior to the hearing by email and on the same day via an electronic comment form at the City website. (More details to come.)
April 1, 2021 There was a neighborhood participation program (NPP) meeting on the proposed subdivision of 914 Dante by Riverlake Properties.
March 27, 2020 “To slow ‘doubles to dorms’ trend, New Orleans might keep Uptown parking restrictions,” by Jessica Williams, Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate.
March 27, 2021 Investors John P. Hamide and Preston Tedesco, dba 700B11, LLC, have purchased the apartment building at 809 Cherokee from Riverlake Properties. The recorded price was given in the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate (March 25, 2021) as $425,000. Estimated actual sale price: $1,312,500. This is the fourth property purchased by Hamide and Tedesco on this block.
Our private student housing property count is now at 66.
March 25, 2021 “‘Doubles-to-dorms’ restrictions could apply to larger portion of Uptown,” reported by Greg LaRose on WDSU-TV, Channel 6.
March 25, 2021 The City Council approved Councilman Joe Giarrusso’s Motion M 21-102, sending the proposed University Area Off-Street Parking Overlay to the City Planning Commission for study. The Overlay would expand the University Area IZD (link to CZO) to the boundaries shown on the map below.
That’s just fine, but what about enforcement? Watch the discussion and the vote at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TdK1WNlhwE. (Starts at timestamp 1:34:15.) Includes Giarrusso’s announcement from Amicus Properties.
March 15, 2021 The property count for D2Ds and other private student housing developments in and around the University Area is now at 65. The count is known to be incomplete.
March 11, 2021 Our appeal of the HDLC’s approval of the demolition of the caretaker’s cottage at 925 Burdette (.pdf) was denied by the City Council. (See below at February 3 and February 15.)
March 5, 2021 Greg LaRose of WDSU-TV Channel 6 updates his continuing coverage of the neighborhood with “New Orleans City Council member says ‘doubles-to-dorms’ drive up rents near universities” (42 seconds).
March 5, 2021 It is the first anniversary of the City Council’s enactment of the University Area Interim Zoning District (IZD)—and as if to celebrate the occasion, construction has resumed at 1409 Broadway.
Architect Seth Welty has revised the plans for the project, for which Amicus Properties has obtained two-family (rather than multi-family) use, which means that the footprint of the building may be expanded after all. In fact, the living area has been reduced by 20% from the original plans, and the number of bedrooms reduced from 12 to 8, but 2 of the bedrooms from the early plans are now labeled “study” and “living/tv room.” However, DSP merely updated the permit rather than reissuing it, so that the IZD requirement (4 new parking spaces) would not be triggered. We join the neighbors of 1409 Broadway in expressing our utter disgust at this turn of events.
March 1, 2021 Activist and developer Neal Morris of Redmellon Restoration and Development critiques the Carrolltonian effort to fight private student housing development in “Shared housing is an affordable housing option,” published today in the Lens. Reached by telephone this afternoon, Lens editor Charles Maldonado affirmed that this opinion piece was printed in response to ‘Doubles-to-Dorms’: Another threat to New Orleans neighborhoods by Chunlin Leonhard, published by the Lens on October 30, 2020.
February 25, 2021 The owner-entity of 1533 Broadway has been issued a zoning violation letter (.pdf) by the Department of Safety and Permits. John Hamide and Preston Tedesco, dba 700B9, LLC, installed an illegal apartment in the raised basement of the house in January 2021. They’ve been cited for working without a permit and violating the University Area IZD.
February 24, 2021 We checked in with Felicity Investments, the new owner of the historic Carrollton Courthouse at 719 South Carrollton Avenue, and were told that the work schedule has been delayed “for a couple of weeks.” So the music won’t begin for a while yet. Construction was supposed to begin on February 22—demolition and pile-driving, courtesy of Palmisano Construction. [Update at March 26: still no construction.]
February 19, 2021 Deadline for appeal to the Civil District Court by Amicus Properties of the BZA’s decision in the matter of 631 Broadway. (See below at January 20.) Amicus chose not to appeal the decision.
February 19, 2021 On this day, Amicus Properties elevated the historic shotgun at 7612–14 Burthe Street. See photos.
February 18, 2021 Construction recommenced at 7612–14 Burthe Street. See photos. Having prevailed over its neighbors at the BZA hearing of February 8, Amicus Properties continues with its plan to shore and elevate this 19th-century single-story shotgun above the rest of the block. View the BZA’s ruling on 7612–14 Burthe (.pdf), issued on this date.
February 17, 2021 Broadcast on WDSU-TV Channel 6 at 6 p.m.: “Uptown neighbors want tougher enforcement on ‘doubles-to-dorms’” (link to YouTube)—Greg LaRose’s investigative reporting on the University Area investments/developments of Dr. John P. Hamide and Preston Tedesco. Also starring Sidney Torres, IV.
February 15, 2021 This is the adjusted deadline (from February 13) to appeal the demolition of the caretaker’s cottage of the old Ireland House at 925 Burdette, to the City Council. The new owner, Robert Gibson Lott, has already received the HDLC’s permission to demolish the south wing of the house. (See below at February 3.)
February 13, 2021 In the matter of 1409 Broadway: according to a notice received February 12 from the DSP, “There is a stop work order in place pending submission [of] CZO-compliant plans or court order in [Amicus’s] favor; however, minimum maintenance including protecting the property from the elements is also required. There is a code enforcement case (21-00264-MPM) and a complaint letter was sent January 15, 2021.”
February 9, 2021 Safety and Permits/Code Enforcement site inspection is scheduled for 1409 Broadway, owned by Amicus Properties; Joe Giarrusso’s office has requested an evaluation of the building’s deterioration in addition to the defined scope of the inspection (.pdf). Neighbors are concerned that Amicus could be positioning the property for demolition. **(See above at February 13.)**
Other Carrollton houses we’re watching for the same reason: 7612–14 Burthe Street and 7519 Hampson Street (link to assessor’s site).
February 8, 2021 The Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) has denied Rob Strain’s appeal of the Department of Safety and Permit’s issuance of a work permit to Amicus Properties to renovate and elevate the historic shotgun at 7612–14 Burthe Street. The next step is to appeal the case to the Civil District Court.
Off-market, the sale of 6108 Willow to Smith/Tolbert LLC (.pdf) closed on January 6, 2021, for $485K.
February 3, 2021 The HDLC today unanimously approved the demolition of the caretaker’s cottage at the historic Maginnis-Ireland House at 925 Burdette. The south wing of the main house will also be demolished. The applicant was Sean Fisher, architect for the new owner of the historic house, Robert Gibson Lott. Also present at the meeting was the new HDLC mayoral appointee for the Carrollton Historic District, Lee Bressler.
Watch the video here (link to DropBox). The presentation on 925 Burdette starts at 01:09:45; discussion of the caretaker’s cottage begins at 01:15:15.
February 3, 2021 The homely little building at the corner of St. Charles and Broadway, for decades a drugstore, will now serve the university neighborhood as the uptown location for Avenue Wines and Spirits. Some people still remember ordering BLT’s at the K&B lunch counter sixty years ago. Now it’s out with the cough medicine, processed cereals and cat food stocked by the national chains that have occupied 7133 St. Charles since the 1990s. This jernt will sell whiskey, craft beer and cigars. And boy, do they deliver! As solid citizens and businessmen they’ll also be checking I.D.’s. (Oddly enough, the corner of St. Charles and Broadway has always been a good pick-up point for DWI’s.)
February 1, 2021 Written comments are due in re neighbor Rob Strain’s appeal of the Department of Safety and Permit’s issuance of a work permit to Amicus Properties.
January 21, 2021 The Louisiana Landmarks Society sponsored an online lecture on the “New Orleans’ Nine Most Endangered Sites of 2020” by James Rolf, III, of Rolf Preservation Works. The Society has named the University Area D2Ds (“doubles to dormitories”) as one of “the Nine” most endangered cultural/historical New Orleans sites of the outgoing year.
January 20, 2021 In a notice of disposition (.pdf) on 631 Broadway, the BZA denied the appeal by Amicus of the City’s determination that the permit issued did not conform with the University Area IZD. The finding was based on the prior owner’s statement and drawing showing a total of only 7 bedrooms in the structure at the time of sale at January 23, 2020, while Amicus wanted to put in 5 new bedrooms (for a total of 12), while providing only 2 off-street parking places.
Amicus has 30 days from 1/20/21 to appeal the decision to Civil District Court.
January 12, 2021 WDSU-TV reported briefly on Judge Cates’s ruling.
January 12, 2021 Judge Sidney Cates of the Orleans Parish Civil District Court today dismissed Amicus’s petition (.pdf) in re 1409 Broadway, upholding the BZA’s decision last August that Safety and Permits had issued the building permit in error. This means that Amicus may not camelback the building as planned. Three 17-month leases (each at $5000/month) had already been contracted—even before the purchase of the building was closed on September 13, 2019.
January 11, 2021 The BZA upheld DSP’s decision on the bedroom count (seven bedrooms rather than twelve) at 631 Broadway, denying Amicus’s appeal.
In re 7612–7614 Burthe Street, the appeal by Rob Strain of DSP’s issuance of a structural renovation work permit has been deferred until February to allow the DSP enough time to find the paper copies of the architectural plans that were submitted at the time of the application on March 5, 2020, the same day the University Area IZD was enacted. The plans were allegedly misplaced because of the cyberattack on City Hall.
January 11, 2021 Watch our recent television ad on the Town of Carrollton Watch YouTube channel. The ad aired on January 1–11 on WWL–TV Channel 4 and its internet affiliate WUPL-54—ahead of the January 11th BZA hearings involving Carrollton neighbors and Amicus Properties.
January 11, 2021 Safety and Permits issued a stop-work order at 7534 Burthe Street, recently purchased off-market by local developers John P. Hamide and Preston Tedesco. On Dec. 14, Tedesco’s architect, Loretta Harmon, applied for a non-structural renovation work permit. Neighbors noticed that work on the building started at the same time. Several neighbors eventually reported the violation, and Safety and Permits confirmed that (a) the permit had not been issued; and (b) that Hamide and Tedesco were in violation.
An HDLC inspection on January 8 found no violation with regard to the HDLC regulations, while somewhat paradoxically reporting that Tedesco had been informed that he was working without a permit.
It’s also reported from the neighborhood that this non-structural renovation of one of the four one-bedroom apartments in the building will actually convert the two upper apartments into one unit—and that new bedrooms will be added. (The work permit application states that this is merely a renovation of a one-bedroom apartment.) We will keep watching.
December 27, 2020 Neighbors of 1409 Broadway, the subject of a BZA appeal of Aug. 10, 2020, have requested a court hearing to determine whether the owner should be required to close the house to prevent damages by exposure to elements and animals. The concern is whether the owner of the house, Amicus Properties, is positioning the house for demolition by neglect. A court hearing in the Amicus appeal of the BZA decision was held on November 18, but the judge has not rendered a decision. [Update: see 1/12/21.]
November 30, 2020 Times Picayune/Advocate —‘New list of New Orleans endangered sites includes old school, former church’ (.pdf), by R. Stephanie Bruno.
October 30, 2020 Lens opinion piece—‘Doubles-to-Dorms’: Another threat to New Orleans neighborhoods by Prof. Chunlin Leonhard.
September 16, 2020 Tulane Hullabaloo—’University area residents advocate to ‘Stop Doubles to Dorms‘ by Gabby Abrams.
August 6, 2020 The City Council voted to extend the IZD until May 5, 2021.
August 5, 2020 Greg LaRose of WDSU-TV interviewed the Leonhards about Amicus’s development of 1409 Broadway.
July 31, 2020 See the Final University Area Parking Study (.pdf)
July 28, 2020 City Planning Commission Public Hearing. Here is the Agenda (.pdf). See item #3 concerning City Council Motion M–20–79 (.pdf) and the draft University Area Parking Study (.pdf).
July 25, 2020 New Orleans’ Uptown University area could see these changes to relieve traffic congestion, by Jessica Williams, Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate.
July 23, 2020 4–5 p.m. Michael Fabre, dba Crescent City Developers, demolished the left wing of the Ireland House at 925 Burdette Street. The workers performing the demolition had no permit with them at the time.
July 23, 2020 Bringing students back endangers university workers, by Matt Sakakeeny and Mohan Ambikaipaker, Readers’ Views, Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, page 6B.
July 20, 2020 Written comments on the CPC’s draft University Area Parking Study (.pdf) are due by 5 p.m. to infoCPC@nola.gov.
July 15, 2020 The CPC’s draft University Area Parking Study (.pdf) has been released. See the public hearing notice (.pdf). More information at the City’s website.
May 26, 2020 The City Planning Commission (CPC) voted to recommend to the City Council that the IZD should not be approved. See the final Staff Report of June 3, 2020.
March 5, 2020 The City Council enacted the University Area Interim Off-Street Parking Zoning District (IZD) per Councilman Joe Giarrusso’s Motion M-20-80. The description of the boundaries (at CZO 19.4.A.1.l.B) are as follows:
The University Area Interim Off-Street Zoning District applies to all lots bounded by: lakeside of Saint Charles Avenue, downtown side of South Carrollton Avenue, riverside of South Claiborne Avenue, and both sides of Audubon Street (excluding the portion between Plum Street and Zimple Street that exists solely within Tulane’s campus.