By LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / March 17, 1999

HAHNVILLE – The issue of which residents belong in which town may finally be settled in St. Charles Parish.Historically, the boundaries of the string of unincorporated towns in the parish weren’t an issue. However, as development has pushed the edgescloser together, that has changed.

Maj. Sam Zinna of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office said the problemarose in 1992 when the comprehensive street numbering system was put into place. Some boundaries, however, remained in question, such asDestrehan/New Sarpy, Boutte/Luling and Luling/Hahnville.

“I’m sure with some research we can settle this,” Zinna said. “SouthCentral Planning needs to get involved.”A variety of unofficial boundaries have been agreed upon, such as those for postal zone boundaries and fire protection service districts. But ask somepeople where they live and different answers may arise.

Officially, for example, the Luling post office serves the area up to Interstate 310 on westbound River Road, and to Warren Drive on eastbound River Road.

However, the St. Charles Parish School Board, immediately west of I-310,is serviced by the Luling post office, as are Esperanza Restaurant and Jackie Bee Corp. Yet, Carter-Chambers, in Dufresne Loop behind EsperanzaRestaurant, receives its mail from Hahnville.

And, to complicate it further, an unpaved road through a cane field west of Esperanza Plantation is the dividing line between the Luling and Hahnville fire protection districts, according to Zinna.

The Destrehan post office delivers mail to boxholders at the New Sarpy post office. Yet, according to the New Sarpy post office (which has noroute delivery) the town of New Sarpy extends east all the way to Ormond Boulevard. “Right down the middle,” said a spokesperson.Even so, Destrehan High School and Ormond Country Club, both situated west of Ormond Boulevard, declare themselves firmly in Destrehan.

The Luling/Boutte line is pretty much settled along Paul Maillard Road at the canal. But try and find a consensus along U.S. Highway 90 and it goesgray.

Mimosa Park, Lakewood West, Coronado Park and Willowdale are considered Luling, yet the Boutte post office is closer. And, according tothe Luling post office, Coronado Park “is really Boutte,” while the St.

Charles Plaza Shopping Center is considered Luling.

The new Primrose Park subdivision, on U.S. Highway 90 between CoronadoPark in Luling and West St. Charles Baptist Church in Boutte, is in Boutte,according to Greg Lier of developer Rathborne Land Co. “That’s a goodquestion,” he observed.

Corey Faucheux, parish director of economic development, echoed Lier and added since the site was the location of the Alligator Festival, long promoted as Boutte, then the subdivision should continue to be considered Boutte.

Some issues are pretty clear, according to postal authorities. Mozella, avillage between Boutte and Paradis, is clearly considered Boutte. The linebetween St. Rose and Destrehan is between East James Street (Destrehan)and Christina Lane (St. Rose).Parish Administrative Officer Tim Vial said he received a letter from Zinna, asking the parish government to settle these issues. Vial forwardedit to Council Chairman Terry Authement, and commented, “The parish council will decide where to draw the lines.” Vial concluded, “The longer you wait, the worse it’s going to get.”

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