ADDIS — The Town Council approved a variance Monday allowing a commercial property owner to install a private treatment system rather than connect to municipal sewer, resolving a years-old infrastructure gap at Cane Ridge subdivision.

The council also declined a request from Sugar Hollow's homeowners association to accept donation of the neighborhood's ponds and drainage areas.

Cane Ridge Sewer Gap

A commercial lot at the front of Cane Ridge Drive has no sewer access—an apparent oversight from when the subdivision was developed. The property owner discovered the gap when seeking to develop the site.

The lot was carved out when the subdivision was created but never formally included in the plat. According to Councilmember Bliss Bernard, who reviewed assessor records, the property shows "no subdivision" designation while adjacent Cane Ridge lots are properly listed.

"I pulled up the development of Cane Ridge and this piece of property was not in the subdivision," Bernard said. "That makes sense why there is no sewer."

Bernard cited town ordinances stating sewer installation costs should be "borne by the subdivider, owner, or political subdivision requiring the service."

Councilmember Rusty Parrish, who served on the council when the subdivision was approved, acknowledged the gap should have been caught. "We dropped the ball," Parrish said.

Engineering bids for extending sewer to the property ranged from $28,500 to $65,000. Rather than pay for infrastructure or set precedent, the council voted to issue a variance allowing the property owner to install a MODAD—a mechanical treatment plant that processes wastewater on-site. Public Works Director Travis Bourgoyne estimated installation at approximately $4,500, significantly less than the sewer extension.

The council also approved refunding the sewer impact fee the property owner had already paid.

Former Parish President Riley "Pee Wee" Berthelot, whose family owns the property, expressed frustration with the outcome, arguing the lot received other infrastructure improvements when the subdivision was developed.

"We didn't develop the property. The property was already developed," Berthelot said.

Sugar Hollow Drainage Request

Sugar Hollow HOA President Jordan Fontenot asked the council to accept donation of the subdivision's ponds and drainage areas, saying the association lacks funds to maintain them.

The HOA has approximately $45,000 in unpaid back dues and roughly $65,000 total including interest and fees, Fontenot said. The previous president failed to collect dues for years, leaving the current board unable to pay for grass cutting or pond management.

"We can't maintain it," Fontenot said. "It's still going to end up kind of falling maybe on y'all to help maintain it."

Duckweed has overtaken the ponds, and Fontenot noted the town recently invested nearly $1 million installing drainage pipes along the subdivision's south side.

Mayor David Toups said accepting the donation would set a precedent for other subdivisions with similar detention ponds. The council declined.

Town Attorney Karen White explained the town's recourse is to compel maintenance through citations and liens rather than take ownership.

Fontenot said he plans to leave the subdivision within two years and expressed concern about what happens after.

Other Business

The council approved ARPA project payments: $228,208.50 for Addis Lane and $130,173.26 for Barker Brothers Phase 2 work. A final payment of $30,678.48 for the 2024 road rehabilitation project was also approved after staff discovered it had been overlooked.

The council authorized a $50,000 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement secured by state legislators—$25,000 for the town and $25,000 for the police department.

A preliminary plat subdividing property at 3233 Younger Drive for Kerry and Jan Cook passed unanimously.

Police Chief Jason Langlois reported 147 citations, 209 calls for service, three misdemeanor arrests, and three felony arrests for October. The council accepted resignations of two officers following an executive session.

The 2025 road project begins Monday, targeting completion before Christmas. Budget ordinances for 2025 revisions and the 2026 fiscal year were introduced for December public hearing.

The Addis Town Council meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at Addis Town Hall.