Harahan sewerage ordinance aimed at big developments fails

City officials look for ways to cover the costs of a new sewage-treatment plant

A proposed ordinance that would have required real estate developments in Harahan to cover the costs of a new sewage-treatment plant and other drainage infrastructure failed at Thursday night's council meeting for lack of a second.

Kerry Maloney, The Times-Picayune archiveHarahan City Council member Cindy Murray

Councilwoman Cindy Murray proposed the ordinance, the second to be drafted regarding large-scale developments that could strain Harahan's sewer system.

The first version of the ordinance was drafted by Mayor Vinny Mosca and introduced in May. It removed existing language in the subdivision and resubdivision regulations allowing developers to tie into the city's existing system. At the time, City Planner Steve Villavaso called it a basic planning philosophy: "New development needs to pay its own way."

Mosca admitted at the time that the ordinance was drafted with the possibility of large-scale development at Colonial Golf and Country Club in mind.

But that version was scrapped and the ordinance rewritten after council members voiced concerns that the law change might require smaller developers -- such as an owner subdividing a lot into two, three or four parcels -- to pay for a portion of the cost of a new sewage-treatment plant.

The new language eliminated that possibility, Murray said. But no other council member would second the ordinance after it was read during the council meeting. Murray said she expected the resolution to pass.

"That was a surprise," she said Thursday night just as council members left to convene in executive session.

Michelle Hunter can be reached at mhunter@timespicayune.com