We oppose the proposed conditional use to permit a hotel at 823-843 Camp Street in the CBD-5 Lafayette Historic Square Urban Core Neighborhood, a Lower Intensity Mixed-Use District. The project, identified as un-passed City Ordinance #33,638, does not meet regulations and conditions required for conditional use in CBD-5. The City Planning Commission Report stated the following:

     1. The project proposal doesn't provide sufficient justification for the additional height request.

     2. Requested on-site parking exceeds by 221% of what would be required for the uses of this development.

     3. The double garage doors entering Camp Street, a Multi-Modal Pedestrian Corridor and the vehicular garage parking spots pose an INHERENT public safety risk.

To date, this proposed project and the components that were making it consistent with the qualifications required in the CBD-5 District are no longer part of the original plan and remain undocumented.

If approved, this project will adversely affect residents who share two property lines. Plans show the new construction abutting those shared property lines with a six floor structure, which includes a three story parking garage, and a rooftop bar and restaurant. The rear of this building will tower above and within feet of residences which will block existing windows, a door, and private patio. Windows and balconies on the side of this building will overlook the outdoor living space belonging to the 13 homeowners of Faubourg St Charles, taking away privacy and light and create potential liabilities if objects are thrown from the rooftop bar and restaurant, from balconies, or if an over-served guest of the hotel decides to jump into the FSC pool.

If approved, this project will forever impose increased noise, toxic exhaust fumes, unsightly mechanical equipment, and increase vehicular traffic in an already busy corridor that includes pedestrians and cyclists. Furthermore, the hotel will overwhelm the CBD-5 neighborhood in size and height.

The construction of this project has great potential to cause extensive damage to the surrounding historic buildings. 

Please help preserve our neighborhood ambiance from the development of high intensity commercial projects requiring variances that were put in place for the very purpose of protecting our historic CBD-5 district, which many of us call home.

Your support is needed and greatly appreciated.