Abbeville expanding city limits

Abbeville is growing, even if it is one neighborhood development at a time.
The Abbeville City Council voted 5-0 last Tuesday evening at its regular meeting to move forward with the incorporation of Plantation Ridge Phase III into the city limits. The first two phases are already part of the city.
The subdivision, located north of Abbeville along East Jane Street, is being developed by James Noel Jr.
There remain steps before the move can become official. Noel said once the petition from the property owner is finalized, he will bring that to the council. The information will also have to go to the State Department of Justice and Vermilion Parish Registrar of Voters, as is required in such situations.
Councilman-at-Large Francis Plaisance made a motion in favor of the annexation. Councilman Wayne Landry, District D, offered a second.
“That’s city growth,” Plaisance said. “I am all in favor of that.”
Councilman Francis Touchet Jr., whose District B will include that area, joked that it could change district lines.
“I am very much agreeing that we should do this,” Touchet said before adding with a laugh, “but we shouldn’t get comfortable with the lines.”
Any changes in that regard would not affect lines until the 2020 Census.
The property in question covers 22.5 acres. That will be turned into a 90-plus-lot, single-family residential subdivision. It will include various home sizes. The lots will be sold to builders.
Noel said there will be a dedicated green space and sidewalk along the entire frontage of East Jane Street. The sidewalks will have lights installed.
The city will provide all necessary utilities, such as water, sewage and electricity. Noel said the development will build its utilities underground. The current proposal is for the city to provide a pump station.
“We are going to bring the utilities up to the subdivision,” Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza said. “They are going to develop and incur the cost of the utilities built inside (the property).”
The developer will build approximately 2,000 feet of asphalt road, as well as a drainage system, within the acreage.
“We will be dedicating all of that to the city,” Noel said of the roads and utilities.
Councilman Brady Broussard Jr., District C, said he is pleased with bringing in the area, as well as Noel’s efforts.
“I would like to commend Mr. Noel for this development,” Broussard said. “I believe that it is smart growth for the city. This will bring sales tax growth and utility consumption growth. The city will reap funds off this growth.
“I think this is a wise move for the city to partner with Mr. Noel on this.”
Piazza agreed the move is positive for the city.
“We are committed, with Mr. Noel, to make this project happen,” Piazza said. “We are fortunate to have a developer who wants to invest in our city. There are not a lot of developers out there who are making a commitment to Abbeville. You see growth in Youngsville and Broussard. We need to grow to keep up because we don’t want people moving to other areas.
“We need to be competitive and we are thankful for this kind of commitment to Abbeville.”