Even approval of modest 90-units would open door to much larger development
By Ernest A. Burguières
September 3, 2023
Ernest A. Burguières is a Mandeville attorney who formerly served as District III Councilman. Mandeville Daily is honored to publish Mr. Burguières’ column with permission which is a combined reporting of the goings on in Mandeville government with his personal commentary.
As we stumble into the homestretch of our prolonged distraction, more subtle thoughts have come to mind for citizens who are concerned about this project.
On its face, the big battle seems to be the prospect of 90-plus apartments, 80 hotel rooms, an event center, a restaurant and a marina. Those are the immediate concerns because that is what was being presented.
But there is another more nefarious potential result.
If the City Council does not separate the issues of zoning change and conditional use approval, then there is a prospect that just one council member may justify in their mind that it is only “fair” that the developer get a shot.
And what if the mayor does not veto this if it passes?
The checker player says it’s over. The chess player says, not so fast. There are more shoes that could drop.
What happens if Sucette gets approval and is not vetoed? Then the developer has some time to decide if there is a smarter play given the economy.
Well, it would now be now zoned commercial. How about several multi-story towers and 1,000 apartments?
Maybe luxury units plus affordable units, to press all of the buttons.
A rooftop restaurant/night club, overlooking the lake.
Think of it… there would be nothing like it on either side of the lake. All of those height, parking, scale, compatibility and density issues fade away as the “planned district” cudgel is used to push a development in to the realm of the absurd. This sleepy time, virgin, coastal community would be forever violated. We would be done.
Sucette spent their first phase time and money to depict a general concept of a hotel, apartments, a restaurant, event center and marina that might attract some people. It was just a concept so the big investments had not yet been made. That could go away as just the cost of a diversion while the real money gears up for the whole enchilada. The chess move.
If the Council (and/or the mayor) want to avoid the risk of unintended consequences, they need to vote no to the re-zoning which is no to the project.
If you care, or if you just want to watch the slow motion train wreck, show up this Tuesday, September 5th, at 6:00 p.m. at the Spitzfaden Center.
Mandeville Daily 
Important to remember that, from the beginning, the developer declared (adamantly) the original proposal as the MINIMUM support of economic viability. The latest statement was that “90 units won’t work…”. Now watch how facts change.
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