NEWSLETTER
June 2018
From our Executive Director


Dear Members and Friends,

The Good Growth Awards Gala is coming this October. We would urge  everyone that is interested in submitting a project to view the 
attached application. Thank you to all our 
sponsors to this event!
The Baton Rouge Growth Coalition strives to give our members a voice, along with valuable information on the constant change and growth in the Capital Region. Thank you for all your input thus far this year!
 
Thank you,

Larry S. Bankston
Executive Director

IN THIS ISSUE
Farewell to a Friend

 
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire Growth Coalition membership, we would like to pay our respects to the late Jeff Cook who passed away March 17, 2018. Jeff served on the Board of Directors starting in 2013. He was appointed to the Executive Committee as Vice President in 2016 and served as Treasurer from 2017-2018. The Growth Coalition and our community will significantly miss Jeff. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to Jeff's family, loved ones, and friends. 




Welcome New Executive Committee and Board Members
 
The Baton Rouge Growth Coalition announced in February the appointment of Erik Piazza as the new Growth Coalition Board President.

The Board of Directors has appointed Wilfred Barry with SJB Group as an officer and Executive Committee Member to take place of Jeff Cook's seat as Treasurer.
 
New to our Board of Directors are: Sebastian Alvarez with Alvarez Construction, Prescott Bailey with Southern Lifestyle Development, Ross D. Bruce with Dantin Bruce Development, David Guillory with Compliance Envirosytems, and Michael Thomassie with Duplantis Design Group, PC
 
The full 2018 board of directors list is available on our website, www.growthcoaltion.com

 
Public Service Commission considers new rules concerning development charges for underground electric services.

Please see the links below to review a copy of Comments from Entergy and DEMCO concerning the development of an appropriate formula for charges to developers of residential subdivisions for underground electric services pursuant to existing applicable LPSC General Order. This change is being pushed by DEMCO and not Entergy.
 
DEMCO does not believe that the present $5.00 per front lot foot provides sufficient compensation for the cost differential to extend underground service in a new residential subdivision. DEMCO has presented data to the PSC that the average cost differential between overhead and underground subdivisions would be $17.26 as opposed to $5.00. Baton Rouge Growth Coalition has intervened in the Public Service Commission rule-making to keep up to date on this process.   For those that have done subdivisions with DEMCO, we need to determine if they are installing 3 phase throughout the subdivision. Entergy installs single phase, and if 3 phase is required for a sewer lift station, the developer pays extra to get 3 phase to the sewer lift. If you have any comments or thoughts concerning this matter,  please email your comments to Larry Bankston.
 





City-Parish issues - Plan Review Application Options/Procedures

Over the past year, Baton Rouge Growth Coalition has pushed for changes in the Permit Office. We helped pass an ordinance that placed deadlines on processing and authorized the use of third-party review of plans. The Metro Council also issued a contract for expedited  review to assist in this matter. City-Parish has contracted with a third  party to supplement the services at the Permit Office for an additional fee. The link below is an explanation concerning the three choices in obtaining approval from the Permit Office (Standard, third-party review, & expedited review).

The outline issued by City-Parish is a work in progress and needs further revisions. BRGC continues to suggest changes in the process to reduce delay in the issuance of permits. Any comments concerning these procedures would be helpful in our efforts to improve the process. 

Please email Larry Bankston   with your thoughts and comments.
 

BRGC meets monthly with Mayor Weston Broome

The Growth Coalition meets monthly with Mayor Weston Broome concerning development issues. Our Executive Committee meets with the Mayor and her staff. Also included in the meeting is the DPW directors for Development, Transportation, and Environmental.  We continue to raise issues important to the development Community.


2018 Good Growth Awards






For seating information, please contact Jill Sylvest here.



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Welcome New Members

The Growth Coalition Welcomes 11 New Members!
Quarter's 1 & 2






Interested in Growth Coalition Membership? 
Contact Jill Sylvest  here.