Concerned Carrollton Resident

3/8/04

I can't say we won the war, but we definitely got a reprieve. The HCDRC voted 3-3 on Stuart Hall's demolition requests. They needed a 2/3 vote, so the motion failed to pass.

Stuart Hall will appeal this decision to the City Council, probably as soon as possible. How do we get Batt and the other council persons to reject the demolition requests? I don't know but we need to try.

One thing we can do at this point is to write letters to the Times-Picayune and try to get public opinion on our side. The best time to have letters published in the T-P is when the issue is in the current news.

Lolis Elie's column in this morning's paper is great (We need to thank him). Tomorrow, probably Bruce Eggers will have a write up of today's meeting. This is the time for us to write to the TP. Let's let the city know how we feel about Stuart Hall's destructive plans for our neighborhood.

3/1/04

STOP STUART HALL'S DEMOLITION OF HISTORIC PANOLA HOUSES!!!!

I know it's been some time since I updated the site on Stuart Hall's expansion. Sorry!! Unfortunately things have gone badly for those of us hoping to stop their destructive plans. Fortunately, we now have an opportunity to try to save the beautiful historic houses on Panola.

On Feb 11, 2004, Stuart Hall began demolition and stripping of the house at 8142 Panola St. without a valid permit. Thanks to some alert neighbors the work was stopped before the damage was too serious. The City Attorney's Office ruled that Stuart Hall had to apply to the Housing Conservation District Review Committee (HCDRC) for approval of the demolition of the two houses before a valid permit could be issued.

Their application for demolition of 8142 and 8134 Panola St. house will be considered at the Monday, March 8th meeting of the HCDRC (10:00 a.m., Safety and Permits Office, Rm. 7E07, City Hall).

THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO FIGHT AGAIN FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. WE NEED TO BE AT THIS MEETING IN FORCE TO LET THE HCDRC AND THE CITY KNOW THAT WE OPPOSE THE DESTRUCTION THAT STUART HALL HAS ALREADY DONE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO IF THEY ARE NOT STOPPED NOW.

See below a picture of the monstrous building going up on Spruce St. The planned Gynasium/Fellowship Hall to be built on Panola St. will be even worse. Drive by and see for yourself.

8/31/03

The Stuart Hall Expansion goes before the City Council on Thursday, Sept. 4th. The motion that was passed at the July 2nd Council meeting now has to be approved by the Council as an ordinance. This is our last chance to protest to the Council about this unlawful injustice to our neighborhood. We need you there. It's important.

The meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting starts at 10:00 a.m. Batt's office said that the issue would come up after 11:30 a.m. and possibly as late at 1:30 p.m. (WE LOST AGAIN)

7/23/03

As you all probably know the City Council on 7/2 approved Stuart Hall's Conditional Use Application.

Betsy Weymann still has high hopes that this expansion can be stopped. I plan to help and cooperate with her efforts in any way I can. We need to stick together because Stuart Hall plans to continue to grow which will further destroy our neighborhood.

6/28/03

On July 2, the City Council will decide on Stuart Hall's Conditional Use Application. What a fitting week to have the City Council trample on our residential rights. See the Bulletin Board for further information.

6/28/03

The Stuart Hall Conditional Use Application will be decided upon at the Council Meeting, Wednesday, July 2nd, 10:00 a.m., City Council Chambers, City Hall. Land use matters come usually come up after 11:30 a.m.

By now we all know how Mr. Batt will vote. We also know that the rest of the Council will follow his lead. Why should we bother to go? It's all a silly game they play. What we say doesn't really matter to them. However, I plan to be there to again voice my opposition to the expansion and to the fact that this Council is trampling on my residential rights in a country that supposedly was established on the basis of law and the personal rights of it's citizens (July 4). The City Council operation is the most undemocratic operation I have ever encountered. I will continue to fight this injustice in any way I can. I hope that at least some of you feel this way too and will be at the July 2nd meeting.

Flo

5/29/03

At the May 27 meeting of the City Planning Commission, the City Planning staff requested that the Commission defer their decision on the Stuart Hall Conditional Use application until the next meeting of the Commission (June 10). The Commissioner voted to defer as requested. The staff received a modification of the application from Stuart Hall too late for them to evaluate the changes. Also, they said that this would give Stuart Hall and the neighbors more time to come closer to some agreement. Also, there has been more information coming in for the Commissioners to evaluate.

So far, Stuart Hall has held three recent meeting (4/9/03, 5/6/03, 5/20/03) with the neighbors and little if any progress has been made toward any agreement with their plans. Members of the CPC staff have attended the last two meetings. They have been getting some ideas on the issues that the neighbors have expressed at these meetings.

They said that the neighbors feel strongly that no more demolition of houses should occur and that Stuart Hall should down size their plans. I do not know if another meeting of Stuart Hall and the neighbors will occur before the June 10th Commission Meeting. If it does I will e-mail you the details.

Since I sent the update of 5/20 several people have written very excellent letter to the CPC. We need those of you who have not written to please do so and do it before Thursday, June 5th. The staff sends the current correspondence to the Commissions on Thursday. This gives them time to look over the latest information before the June 10th meeting. Information on contacting the Commissioners is given below (in 5/20 update).

Also, there will some limited public input at the June 10th meeting for both Stuart Hall and the neighbors. If you are able to attend, this would be very beneficial for our opposition position. The meeting will be held at 1:30 in the City Council Chambers. Please try to come and support our neighborhood.

5/20/03

Friends and Neighbors

I assume most of you know that at the May 13th Meeting of the City Planning Commission, the decision on the Stuart Hall expansion was deferred until their next meeting on May 27. This was a wise decision on the part of the Commissioners. They said that this was too complex an issue to be decided without more thorough consideration on their part. There will be no public input at this meeting.

The matter is in their hands now. We need you to write letters to the Commissioners about your opposition to Stuart Halls' expansion plans. Tell them specifically why you are against this expansion. Point out the issues which you think they need to consider before making their decision. (Issues involved: destruction of residential and historic Carrollton neighborhood, worsening of already bad traffic and parking problems, loss of property values, loss of quality of life, loss to the city of property taxes, impact of buildings and increased enrollment on water and sewer system in a neighborhood which already has these problems, buildings so big that the required setbacks must to reduced drastically, expansion plans not in conformity with current zoning ordinance nor new Master Plan for the City, etc. Pick the issues you know most about.)

The Commissioners are: Rev. Marshall Truehill, Jr., Chairman
Sheila B. Burns, Vice-Chairman
Timothy H Jackson
Lester V. Johnson
Lynes R. Sloss
Sandra S. Duckworth

Address: City Planning Commission
Suite 9W03, City Hall
1300 Perdido St.
New Orleans, LA 70112-2123
Phone: 565-7000
Fax: 565-7915
E-mail: CPWEBM@new-orleans.la.us

We need you do this ASAP so that the Commissions have time before May 27 to consider the many issues involved. Please, send us a copy of your letter.

3/29/03

STUART HALL WINS WITH COUNCIL BUT WAR IS NOT OVER YET!!!!!

Stuart Hall's expansion plans must go before the City Planning Commission. I think we have a good chance of winning there.

We lost two of the houses on Tuesday but three are still standing. One more could come down any time. Too get the other two down they would have to apply to the Housing Conservation District Review Committee for a demolition permit. We can again fight they there.

The biggest problem is the City Council. They did not hear us last time. How do we get them to listen? We are phoning, e-mailing and faxing them now. What else can we do? We need your suggestion.

We need to keep our signs up and get more up.

We have to continue to fight or we will lose much more than these house. Our neighborhood is more in danger now than before. I can't and we shouldn't give up the fight.

3/24/03

URGENT-COUNCIL NEEDS TO HEAR OUR OUTRAGE ON S.H. DECISIONS

WE NEED TO BOMBARD THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WITH CALLS, FAXES AND E-MAILS AGAINST THE OUTRAGEOUS DECISIONS MADE BY THE COUNCIL AT THE MARCH 20TH MEETING.

As stated in this morning's column by Lolis Elie, it is ridiculous and outrageous to let Stuart Hall tear down these houses until the school's plans for expansion have been approved by the City Planning Commission and the City Council. Express your opposition to the demolitions and get the Council to delay the demolition so we have another chance to plead our case before the Council.

We were prepared on Thursday with all the necessary paper work to get a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to stop the demolition and get a hearing in Civil District Court but since the Council Meeting ended so late, the judge was not available. Friday morning our lawyers tried to get the TRO but Stuart Hall lawyers persuaded the judge to deny our request.

We need time to fight, and your bombardment of Council Members may get us the time we need.

3/13/03

We need you to help with two important meetings coming up: March 17 and March 20.

On Monday, March the 17th, the Carrollton Ave. Preservation Alliance with host a Town Hall Meeting to discuss the Stuart Hall expansion plans. This meeting will be held at the St. Joan of Arc School (900 Cambronne St.) at 7:00 p.m. The Carrollton Ave. Preservation Alliance is made up of the Resident Organizations from the river to City Park (Carrollton/Riverbend Residents' Assoc., Uptown Triangle Neighborhood, Inc., Maple Area Residents Inc., Upper Carrollton Residents' Assoc., Fountainebleau Improvement Assoc. and Mid City Neighborhood Organization) They are inviting participation by Stuart Hall, City Councilmen (Jay Batt, Oliver Thomas and Eddie Sapir), City agency representatives (HDLC and HCDRC), our State Representative, our Assessor and, most important, the Carrollton area residents. TV and press representative will also be invited.

This Town Hall Meeting will be critically important to what happens at the City Council Meeting of March 20th. This is our best opportunity to express our opposition to Stuart Hall's expansion plans to City Council Members and to the public in general. We need you there to explain our opposition on all of the issues involved (residential zoning laws, impact on property values and quality of life for residents, destruction of beautiful historic houses, worsening of already bad traffic and parking problems), Please, please, come!!!!!!!!

The decisions made by the Council at their March 20th meeting could very probably determine the outcome of our efforts to stop Stuart Hall destructive expansion plans. We need as many people as we can get to be there. I know it is difficult for many of you to take off from work but try to be there. I am certain Stuart Hall officials, parents and supporters will be there in force.

We are still trying to get as many signs out as we can. These express the feeling of the Carrollton neighborhood in a public and united way. We think this is important. Call me if you want a sign (866-7231) or e-mail me (FlorineAB@aol.com.). We have over 1000 signatures on our petition and are still hoping for more. Some letters to the Council Members have been coming in but not in the numbers we hoped for.
(Update 2/22)

Stuart Hall's appeals to overturn the landmarking of the two houses on Panola (8134 & 8142) and to overturn the refusal of the HCDRC to demolish the other three houses (8120 Panola, 8121-23 Spruce & 8125-27 Spruce) has been deferred again. These issues will be taken up at the March 20th City Council Meeting.
(Update 02/10)

Our issue regarding the possible overturn of the HDLC Landmark decision for the two homes on 8134 & 8242 Panola has been deferred until March the 6 th. Council Meeting. Initially we were contacted by Councilman Batt's aide (Esther Moody) who said it was deferred until the Feb. 20 th. meeting because SH has now applied to the Council to overturn the decision of the Demolition Commission (Housing Conservation District Review Commission) where the Commission unanimously voted to deny demolition for 8125/27, 8121/23 Spruce, & 8120 Panola. Then Ms. Moody contacted us again to let us know that the issues are being deferred until March 6 th. as Councilman Sapir will not be in town at the Feb. 20 th. meeting. She stated that Councilman Batt thought it would be easier for "us to only have to attend one meeting" so both of our house issues will come up at the one Council meeting (this includes overturning the Landmark decision as well as the possible overturn of the HCDRC decision to deny demolition of the three houses). We're very concerned that Councilman Batt will try to strike a compromise by giving us something that stands and giving SH something that is demolished!!

Please continue to talk to friends and neighbors about our issues and why we are opposed to the expansion. "It's about location, not education!!" We will continue to work on the petition and sign drive as much as possible between now and the scheduled Council meeting. Please continue writing, e-meiling, and faxing to Councilman Batt and all the other Councilmembers about both of Stuart Hall's appeals.

(Update 01/22/03)

Neighbors and friends turned out for Thursday's Council Meeting, only to have the issue deferred to the Feb. 6th. Council Meeting. That's when the Council will once again take up Stuart Hall's appeal to overturn the decision by the Historic District Landmarks Commission to protect the two blue-rated houses at 8142 and 8134 Panola.

We heard a rumor on Wednesday afternoon that the matter might be deferred, but were unable to get any confirmation of this from Councilman Batt's office on Wednesday afternoon. We called again on Thursday morning and were told that it was on the agenda and we should come. As a result, lots of people turned out for a meeting that accomplished very little. The HDLC staff reported on the architectural and historic importance of the two landmarks, Stuart Hall's Board Chairman spoke in support of the school's position, and I (Flo Blouin) spoke for the hundreds of neighbors who have signed our petition and put up signs in opposition to the school's demolition plans. Then Councilman Batt moved to defer the matter for two weeks and that was that.

It appeared that some of the Counilmember's main concerns had to do with the procedures followed by the HDLC (not our specific issue) and they made very negative comments about the whole landmarking process. Your support of this issue remains critical. It is a hardship when people turn out for a meeting (most having to take off from work), only to return two weeks lat, but it's very important that you make the effort to do so again on Thursday, February 6th. Stuart Hall had a lot of supporters at yesterday's meeting, so we need to show our own support by a good turnout on Feb. 6th. We will try to get better guidance from Councilman Batt about the next Council meeting (what time to come, who will be allowed to speak, how much time for each to speak and some assurance that the appeals will not be deferred again).

A fact in our favor: In the last five years, the City Council has only overturned two landmark designations by the HDLC.

Please continue to write, fax, or e-mail Councilman Batt and all the other City Council members urging them to protect these two important historical houses in our neighborhood!

Dennis Woltering, Sunday Morning Show -

Also - Dennis Woltering from the Sunday Morning Show (where Betsy Weyman and Kevin Avin talked about the SH expansion issues) has questions posted on the wwl-tv web site. Check out the site, but note that the questions seem to leave little room for us to express our true concerns and reasons for opposition. Respond to the questions if you want or just tell him what you believe about this issue (www.wwltv.com/local/sundaymorning).

What's gone before:

History: May 20, 2002-Stuart Hall School for Boys, located at 2032 S. Carrollton, informed the immediate neighbors of their plans to expand the school campus by demolishing 5 houses the School purchased in the beginning of 2002. The School plans to replace these houses with a three-story Preschool, and a two-story gymnasium. Please see "Our Letter To Elected Officials" for more on our position.

In Oct./Nov. 2002, Stuart Hall Board of Trustees sent a letter to the parents of their students and informed them that in the 2003-2004 school year the school will expand to 2 classes per grade beginning with nursery, pre-k and kindergarten. The school will ultimately expand to 400 students (almost doubling their student body).

Stuart Hall continues to fight hard to get as much support as they can for their expansion.

Support: We continue talking with other Resident/Neighborhood Organizations and other organizations to ask for their support in opposition to Stuart Hall's plans. If you are a member of an Organization that may support our position, please talk with them about our plight or contact us by e-mail about your neighborhood group. The Carrollton/Riverbend Residents' Organization is supporting our position wholeheartedly. They have been helping us from the beginning. We are located in their area of representation. The following additional organizations are in support of our opposition to Stuart Hall's expansion plans:

The Urban Conservancy,. (Check our their web site, www.ucno.org,)
The Maple Area Residents, Inc.
The Uptown Triangle Assoc.
Mid-City Neighborhood Organization
Upper Carrollton Resident's Association
Greater Carrollton Neighborhood Assoc.
Louisiana Landmarks Society, Inc.
Preservation Resource Center

Historical Landmarks: At the HDLC meeting of Aug. 13, 2002, the HDLC approved five houses (8121-23 & & 8125-27 Spruce, as well as 8134, 8142 & 8120 Panola) for study. This gives these houses some measure of protection from demolition until the conclusion of the study. Mr. Kevin Avin (Stuart Hall Head Master) and Tom Crumley (a lawyer with children in SH school) were at the Aug. 13th meeting and spoke in opposition to placing these house up for study. The Commissioners voted to accept them for study.

At the HDLC meeting held on Sept.10th, the HDLC approved all the other houses and buildings on the block for Landmark Study. This means the whole block was proposed for landmarking!

The HDLC meeting on December 10, 2002- In a close vote, two houses on Panola (8134 & 8142) were officially designated as Architectural Landmarks (see the updated descriptions-12/02-of the homes with some of the HDLC findings by clicking on the addresses of the houses). These 2 houses are now protected from demolition!! However, Stuart Hall has already filed an appeal of the HDLC decision to the City Council. The Council has the authority to overrule the Landmark Designation which would allow demolition of these beautiful homes.

Demolition: Unfortunately, the three remaining homes (8120 Panola, 8121/23 Spruce, & 8125/27 Spruce) did not meet the criteria for Landmark Designation on their own, individual architectural qualities. However, the HDLC Staff report did give these buildings a "Gold" rating which means that they are important to the character of this area and contribute to the scene. Note that by February, 2003, there will probably be 5 buildings/houses on one block with Landmark Designation, and the Carrollton area will be designated as a historical district by the end of 2003. To allow these three houses to be ripped out of the middle of the block and replaced with modern, industrial type buildings would be a travesty, and devastate this neighborhood. Stuart Hall immediately applied for demolition to the Housing Conservation District Review Committee after the houses were released by the HDLC. On 01/13/03, the Housing Conservation Commissioners voted unanimously to deny Stuart Hall's request to demolish the houses at 8121-23 Spruce, 8125-27 Spruce and 8120 Panola. Thanks to all who came to the HCDRC meeting and to those who were with us in spirit. The strong show of support of neighbors and organizations truly impressed the commissioners in their decision to deny Stuart Hall's requests.

Petition: We now have 1064 signatures on our petition. However, if we are to convince our Councilman that the neighborhood is against the Stuart Hall plans, we need as many signatures as we can get. If you have not yet signed our petition and wish to; call Flo at 866-7231. Even better if you wish to work on getting signatures, we will send you our petition sheets. It is also strongly recommended that everyone concerned write letters to Councilmember Jay Batt and the At-Large Councilmembers, as well as City Planning Commission, and Safety and Permits.

Signs: We now have signs that say- Stop (as a stop sign) Stuart Hall's Expansion, Save Our Neighborhood, 866-7231, www.savethesehouses.org. The sign is 2' wide by 1' long, with red writing on a white background. Contact us for a yard sign.

COMMENTS:

Louisiana Landmarks Society, Inc.
(resolution passed 9/16/02)

First, we are opposed to the conversion of residential property to school use and the proposed expansion of the Stuart Hall School, and second, we strongly support the proposed historic district for the S. Carrollton area and, specifically, the landmarking of the buildings in the 2000 block of S. Carrollton Avenue.

Nathaniel & Leslie Link

We are residents of the Carrollton community and are extremely concerned about the proposed expansion of the Stuart Hall School on Carrollton Ave. We want to voice our opposition to the proposed expansion of this school into residentially zoned areas.

We have noticed a disturbing trend by some individuals who attempt to haphazardly expand their business/schools into lots/area that are zoned residential. These individuals refuse to abide by zoning regulations and city planning provisos that protect our property, its value, and our lifestyle. They are slowly destroying the character of these unique neighborhoods that are drawing families like our back to New Orleans. In destroying these neighborhoods they will reduce the value of our property.

We vehemently oppose any measure that will destroy homes in areas that are zoned residential. The expansion of this school affects us directly in how it could potentially reduce the value of our property. If we wanted the traffic, congestion and the life style of these types of reckless development, we would simply move to the suburbs. Please support us in protecting the value of our property, our historic district and our lifestyle.

Julie Marshel

This is a beautiful area and the homes around should be taken care of. This is not an area for school expansion.

Jerry Ward

To tear down these five homes would be a disgrace. As a Carrollton resident for over thirteen years that lives a few blocks away from Stuart Hall in a HDLC Landmark House that is also across the street from a school, I know the headaches a school can bring to the neighborhood. I am not opposed to the school current size, I am opposed to the demolition to allow this growth and the headaches that this construction growth will bring...trash, noise, safety, parking and population density on the same size square block is not fair to the neighbors and tourists.

I also know what it takes to keep a neighborhood beautiful, historic, and a great quality of life. Demolition of beautiful homes has never been the answer to improve the quality of life in a historic neighborhood. To allow demolition of historically and architecturally significant properties for growth and greed is simply not fair to the neighbors, neighborhood, and the City of New Orleans. Does anyone really think that a tourist visiting our beautiful neighborhood on the streetcar and walking around wants to see beautiful homes or a new gymnasium?

To take these five homes off of the city tax rolls via demolition to put up non tax paying buildings is not fair to any citizen of New Orleans.

As the current laws stand, this demolition and building of oversized buildings is currently illegal, without getting many waivers and variances for conditional use from the city. Waivers and variances to allow the demolition of five historically and architecturally significant homes varying in age from 61 to 92 years to put up a gymnasium and another school building slammed up against the property line of one of the most beautiful homes in Carrollton would take some serious maneuvering and politicking on the part of Stuart Hall School. Hopefully times have changed at City Hall for the better. The City Council and the City Planning Commission need to hear our voices before the demolition happens. Jay Batt, this is a no brainer, do the right thing... do not allow demolition of our beautiful neighborhood.

Let's face it, schools are good, but they are a business... in the business of educating children. But, if a business that is doing well needs to grow, success is not a reason to allow demolition of history. Success is a reason to either work smarter within your business's current facility or move that business to a bigger facility that can service that business' need better. What other business is allowed to demolish history and a quality of life for the sake of growth? Stuart Hall knew their footprint when they moved in from another location in 1988. They profess to be good neighbors and now they want to ruin the ambiance of the neighborhood that drew them here in the first place.

When my children are my age, I do not want them to say, "There used to be three homes where that gym is now, my dad said they were really beautiful." I want them to tell their friends taking a walk in the neighborhood, "See these houses...that one is 136 years old, that one is 132 years, and the two around the corner are about 105 years old. That is why I live in New Orleans!"

Lastly, my message to Stuart Hall School... what you are trying to do is not a value or life lesson that you want to be teaching your students. Do the right thing, take these five houses, clean them up, do the proper repairs, and either rent them out as homes or sell them to people that will take care of them. Empty and or uncared for houses do no one any good. Be a good neighbor.

Mary Yetta

The homes on this block are two blocks away from the start of the streetcar line. Tourists and locals alike walk through this neighborhood looking at the homes and taking pictures of the area. To demolish the homes on this block would be like tearing the heart out of Carrollton.

Flo Blouin

This block has been my residence for 30 years. I believe that the residents of this block, this neighborhood and this area of Carrollton have the right to demand that it remain residential.

If you would like your comments to be posted on this page, please send them to FlorineAB@aol.com.