Claire Taylor

ctaylor@theadvertiser.com

Despite pleas from Bendel Gardens residents, the Lafayette City-Parish Council granted permission Tuesday for a 194-unit, 600-bed apartment complex on Pinhook Road catering to university students.

The Lafayette planning commission in August rejected the developer's request for a preliminary plat for the project even though the developer met all of Lafayette Consolidated Government's requirements.

Traffic congestion and safety were the biggest concerns voiced by Bendel Gardens residents in August and Tuesday. About 52,000 vehicles travel Pinhook Road between South College Road and the Vermilion River daily. The apartments could add hundreds more.

Saying the council was putting "profits over people," Bendel Gardens resident Mary-Carolyn Duffy said Marjorie Street — one of only two entrances to the subdivision — would become a cut-through for college students rushing to class. To allow that would be "reckless and irresponsible," she said, and drive young families out of the city neighborhood and the city.

"It is going to be a disaster and the destruction of a beautiful old neighborhood," said M. Dawn Frederick, also a Bendel Gardens resident.

Federal Judge Richard Haik Sr. joined fellow Bendel Gardens residents arguing against the apartment complex. He said motorists already risk their lives trying to turn left into Bendel Garrdens from the two entrances.

Haik warned that personal injury lawyers will file lawsuits.

"This situation is going to get more dangerous than it is now and it's already dangerous," he said.

READ MORE: Planning Commission rejects Pinhook student housing

Steven Hebert, president and CEO of Billeaud Companies on Pinhook Road, said he's in favor of the apartment development. The city's zoning ordinance makes a promise to developers and landowners that, if they put their capital at risk and follow the rules set out by Lafayette Consolidated Government, the plat for the development will be approved, he said, urging the council to stick by the rules they adopted.

Leadership of The Doubletree (Hilton) hotel on Pinhook Road changed its position on the matter. At the August planning commission meeting, hotel representatives opposed the apartments. Now they are neutral but have concerns, General Manager Jimmy Thackston said.

The hotel's clients already voice concern over trying to drive into and out of the parking lot via Pinhook Road, he said. Adding hundreds of vehicles to Pinhook next door will probably increase those problems when motorists use the hotel parking lot for U turns.

The council voted 6-3 to overturn the planning commission's decision and grant the preliminary plat. Voting in favor of the apartment complex were council members Jay Castille, Pat Lewis, Bruce Conque, Liz Webb Hebert and Kevin Naquin. Voting against were council members Jared Bellard, Nanette Cook and William Theriot.