LEONARD GRAY

HAHNVILLE – The massive, 2,000-lot Ashton Plantation Subdivision in Luling took a major step toward reality with unanimous approval by the St. Charles Parish Planning and Zoning Commission. More than three years in the planning since it was first announced, the joint venture with J.B. Levert Land Co. and Rathborne Land Co. plans to begin marketing lots later this year in its first phase of 211 homesites, once final approval is granted by the St. Charles Parish Council. The plans for the first phase include a 29-acre site for a new elementary school, a lot for a community center and improvements at River Road to improve access, according to Jim Hooper, manager of J.B. Levert Land. “We expect a slam-dunk,” Hooper predicted before the meeting. It was approved with no public opposition. “We’re very pleased,” he said afterward. “We worked very diligently with public works, recreation, the school board. It was very thorough.” Next, the planners will select contractors for construction of the drainage system, the central “spine” road and the River Road connection. Talks are still in progress on the necessary railroad crossing. An emergency-only entrance from Hackberry Street will be closed with a gate except for fire, ambulance and police. In exchange, the developers will give $60,000 toward improvements of Hackberry, a narrow, two-lane road connecting with Paul Maillard Road, with deep ditches on each side. During discussion, Planning Director Bob Lambert confirmed that all agreements, including on school bus turnarounds, recreation and sewerage, have all been completed. Once the subdivision has reached the point in its long-term development at 1,130 homes, the developers will seek direct access to Interstate 310, Hooper said.