St. John home construction showing expected increase

By KERI CHAMPION

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE-Third quarter numbers for building permits indicate that St. John the Baptist Parish continues to grow. At the end of the third quarter, 221 residential permits had been approved.

&#8220There is a very good chance that the number of building permits approved in the parish will surpass last year’s number,” said Adrienne Labat, director of Planning and Zoning for St. John.

Last year’s ending total of residential permits issued was 268 one short of the all time record of 269 in 2001.

However, the numbers have been up and down. In 2003, permits reached 256 while 2002 saw 208 permits. In 2001, there were 269 permits issued and 242 in 2000.

If the expected number of permits are approved, then St. John Parish could break the five-year record of approvals set in 2001.

&#8220It is expected that the permits issued will be up by 15% over last year,” Labat said.

The increase in permits supports research that St. John the Baptist Parish is in a period of growth and new developments have fueled the growth. The parish could see as many as 275 approved permits this year.

The increase in residential permits has also increased the need for staff at the department of Planning and Zoning.

&#8220We have increased the office staff by four this year and would like to request to hire one or two more,” she said.

Labat said, &#8220I believe the growth is a positive sign, we just have to stay on top of it and keep up with the infrastructure.”