Development Meeting-620 Gause Blvd.
Wed, Apr 29, 2026

Summary:

The meeting reviewed plans to relocate and replace the existing 900 ft² Smoothie King at 620 Gause with a larger building on the adjacent purchased parcel at 630 Gause, covering site rationale, constraints, permitting, and site-preparation issues. The team confirmed the need to elevate the finished floor approximately 4–4.5 feet above existing grade to meet BFE, discussed allowable fill and grading strategies including sloping the parking to reduce ramp lengths, and compared tree-preservation approaches used at nearby elevated sites. Staff examined GIS and street-view evidence of a sewer manhole and alignment, noted potential tapping locations and the requirement for a DOT utility permit, and Chris committed to inspect the site to confirm sewer connection locations and depths.

Discussion then moved to site layout and access: moving the building west to improve connectivity, neighbor Bob’s support for removing the fence and creating shared cross-parking, and driveway/apron constraints due to existing turn lanes and nearby driveways. Regulatory and technical items included obtaining a tree/site survey, involving an arborist and licensed utility arborists for trees near power lines, preparing stamped landscape and engineered building plans (Theresa), producing traffic and drainage analyses, and protecting specimen oaks during demolition and grading; Jamie Burke and Chuck were noted as handling related paperwork and coordination.


Chapters & Topics:

Introductions and Meeting Purpose
Participants introduced themselves for the record, including the property owner and planning and building safety staff, and the owner restated the relocation and redevelopment intent for the Smoothie King property. The owner confirmed the date and the purpose to discuss replacing the 900 ft² building and potential site options.

Property Purchase and Site Selection Rationale
The owner explained why the adjacent lot was purchased—need for a larger building after weighing other nearby lots and their price and size—and described the property’s attractive trees and layout that influenced the decision. Staff and the owner discussed past negotiations for nearby parcels and confirmed the new lot was judged the best option among alternatives.
* The owner plans to demolish the existing 900 ft² Smoothie King and build a new, larger facility on the adjacent lot they purchased at 630 Gause.

Flood Elevation, Grading, and Fill Policy
Staff reviewed flood elevations and determined the new building’s finished floor would need to be approximately 4–4.5 feet higher than current grade to meet BFE, and the team discussed using sloped parking or shallow ramps to meet ADA while mitigating ramp length. The group noted importing fill is allowed for this city project and compared similar elevated developments in the area to show feasible design strategies.
* The finished floor will need to be elevated about 4–4.5 feet above existing grade to meet base flood elevation requirements.
* The team can use grading and raised parking to shorten ADA ramps and mitigate elevation impacts, and importing fill is permissible for this project (unlike parish rules).

Trees, Site Layout, and Parking Options
The discussion addressed protecting large live oaks where possible while removing smaller undesirable trees, and participants suggested using limestone or gravel parking and softer paving to protect root zones and visually soften the site. Examples of other developments that elevated sites while preserving trees were referenced to illustrate feasible solutions for pedestrian areas and seating zones.
* Preserving the large live oaks is a project priority and team members proposed using limestone/gravel parking and careful layout to protect root zones.

Building Program and Preliminary Plans
The owner shared examples of recent Smoothie King layouts and noted the target building size is about 12–14 hundred square feet with limited indoor seating, informing likely service and code classifications. Staff indicated that the project is classified as a restaurant-type use for permitting and utility planning purposes and that a site survey and tree survey have been completed for reference.

Water, Sewer, and Utility Investigation
Staff reviewed GIS and street-view evidence of water and sewer availability; water appears readily accessible at the frontage while sewer connections are unclear and likely require field inspection, a DOT utility permit, and possibly tapping near a manhole on the north side of Gause. Chris committed to visit the site after the meeting to inspect cleanouts and manholes, confirm sewer routing and depths, and follow up by phone with the team.
* Water appears available at the site, but sewer connection is potentially complicated and will require field verification and likely a DOT utility permit to tap the main.
* A visible manhole on the north side of Gause is deep and requires on-site confirmation of ownership and depth before definitive sewer plans are made.
* The proposed program will be a small restaurant-style operation (Smoothie King with added food items) and will require a small grease trap and restaurant classification compliance.

Store location and initial site orientation
The discussion begins with map orientation and a proposal to move the store to the western side of the lot to improve accessibility and circulation relative to the house and street. Theresa explains how the house currently sits on the right and why shifting the store might clean up traffic flow.
* The store is proposed to be relocated to the western side of the lot to improve accessibility

Neighbor coordination and cross-parking concept
Theresa describes contacting Bob, the neighboring owner, who is receptive to removing the fence and connecting the parcels to create cross-parking and shared circulation. The participants consider how cross-access could reduce congestion and generate reciprocal traffic for both properties.
* The neighboring owner, Bob, offered to remove the fence and provide cross-parking to connect the two properties

Driveway, light poles, and traffic alignment constraints
The group analyzes street geometry, light pole locations, and adjacent driveways, noting the street alignment and nearby driveway positions limit where a new driveway can be placed and may provoke objections from adjacent property owners or DOT. They discuss options like tapering, aligning with the neighbor’s driveway, or creating a shared circular access to mitigate conflicts.
* Driveway placement is constrained by a nearby light pole, turn lane, and adjacent strip-center driveways, so DOT and district review will be required
* The exit/drive-thru can align along the property line to tie into the neighbor’s circulation and improve access

Property connections, rear access, and parking patterns
Participants confirm rear connections between properties and note how existing parking configuration and adjacent uses influence site circulation and potential shared parking arrangements. The group observes existing site conditions, including trash and vegetation in the rear, and highlights parking adjacency to buildings as typical behavior.

Trees, surveys, and permitting for land clearing
The meeting emphasizes the need for a tree survey and arborist involvement for clearing permits, differentiating state land-clearing definitions and noting the importance of protecting trees retained on-site. Specific trees are identified as distressed or valuable, and participants discuss canopy lifts and protections for front-branch issues.
* A tree survey and arborist involvement are required for clearing permits and to protect significant trees

Permitting contacts, traffic engineering, and civil requirements
The team plans to initiate permitting with DOT and reach out to district engineers and traffic specialists, naming contacts such as Al Barsina, JV, and Paul Dalton Williams as next steps. They anticipate civil deliverables including traffic impact analysis, runoff and drainage reductions, and clear elevation material lists, and recommend engaging traffic engineers (Greg Coleman, Johnny) for turn-lane and test-fit guidance.
* The team intends to start permitting with DOT and contact district engineers including Paul Dalton Williams for driveway approvals
* Civil deliverables expected include a traffic impact analysis, drainage impact analysis, and clear elevation material lists

Utilities, phasing, drainage strategies, and tree protection during demolition
The group discusses utility planning and using existing structures as part of existing-condition analyses for the drainage report. They consider phasing, retention strategies (detention basins or gravel beds under parking), and practical recommendations to protect trees during demolition by erecting fences and avoiding soil compaction from heavy equipment.
* Demolition and grading must avoid compacting tree root zones; erect fencing and limit heavy equipment where trees are to be preserved

Permits, cleanup intent, and initial questions about nearby bank building
The meeting opened with confirmation that permits must be obtained before site fixes and cleanup proceed, and a request not to clear-cut the property. Participants then raised questions about the white bank building adjacent to the site and who controls it. The possibility that Johnny Crow or an entity tied to Bank of Louisiana owns the building was discussed.
* The team will finalize permits and then proceed with site cleanup and fixes.
* The white bank building near the site is likely owned or controlled by Johnny Crow, per the discussion.

Ownership speculation and access considerations involving Johnny Crow
Attendees named Johnny Crow several times as a likely owner or controller of neighboring properties and suggested contacting him to learn plans for the bank building. They discussed building addresses and connections between properties, and noted potential access points for school traffic and service entries.

Adjacent properties, occupancy, and buyer interest
The group reviewed several neighboring units, noting one corner unit has a prospective buyer and another square unit is newly occupied. They discussed the composition of the block, including multi-tenant storefronts and the blood center building composed of three connected pieces.
* There is buyer interest and new occupancy in adjacent commercial units, including one corner unit under offer and another newly occupied space.

Local history and personal connections
Participants recalled the area's prior use as doctor offices and discussed generational changes in occupancy and ownership, including personal ties to local residents like Donald Nash. The conversation included reminiscence about past neighborhood activity and long-standing relationships.

Paperwork and stamped plans for redevelopment
Theresa reported that Jamie Burke is working on two forms for Loco Joe’s and that she owes a stamped landscape plan and an engineered building stamp for HCO. Chuck confirmed he sent replies on another form.
* Jamie Burke is working on two forms required for Loco Joe’s.
* Theresa is preparing stamped landscape and engineered building plans for the property.
* Chuck has sent replies on one of the outstanding forms.

Tree care, arborist selection, and pre-treatment recommendations
The team discussed tree canopy concerns and recommended engaging an arborist familiar with utility lines to assess structural and root health and to recommend pre-treatment or fertilization for specimen trees during construction. They highlighted the need to address hidden issues such as hollow trunks or root rot despite outwardly healthy appearance.
* The group emphasized retaining an arborist experienced with utility lines for trees near power infrastructure.

Coordination during clearing, neighborhood notifications, and meeting close
Participants agreed to notify relevant parties before underbrush removal so the team can respond to complaints and coordinate work. The meeting concluded with local anecdotes about property features and a brief check for final questions.
* The team should notify neighbors before underbrush removal to preempt complaints.


Action Items:

* Chris will pull sewer records and inspect the on-site manholes and cleanouts and then call the team when finished.
* Chris will run out to the site after the meeting to verify sewer connections and depths and report back.
* Meeting participant will obtain a tree survey and engage an arborist for land-clearing permit requirements
* Theresa Alexander will start by contacting Paul Dalton Williams, the district engineer
* Theresa Alexander will begin the DOT permit process to advance driveway approvals
* Meeting participant will negotiate with Sean/Johnny and have a traffic engineer perform a test fit for driveway/turn-lane options
* Meeting participant will show the existing house and shed on the site survey before demolition to reflect existing hard-surface area in the drainage analysis
* Meeting participant will erect protective fencing and restrict heavy equipment near retained trees before demolition to avoid root compaction
* Theresa Alexander will work on the identified item for the property when requested
* Theresa Alexander will talk to Josh about next steps
* Jamie Burke will complete the two forms required for Loco Joe’s
* A team representative will contact Al to determine his arborist recommendation for work near the site
* Theresa Alexander will discuss detailed local contacts and preferred contractors with the team
* The team will notify neighbors before starting underbrush removal so complaints can be managed


Key Questions:

* Where is the sewer that serves Bank of Louisiana and the nearby facilities, and how might the project tie into it?
* Can the project use the existing sewer service at 620 Gause?
* Is it possible to relocate or remove the light pole that affects the driveway location?
* How does placing the driveway near the neighbor’s drive work with the project’s test fit?
* Depending on future uses of the rest of the property, is there anything to consider now about utilities or site planning?
* What do the bank owners plan to do with the white building adjacent to the site?
* What is the address of the venue being discussed?
* What is the configuration of the blood center building?


Notepad:

* No notes