By LARRY COX
The Youngsville Mayor and City Council held a public hearing last evening concerning the development of the downtown area commonly referred to as “The Village.”
During the public hearing, residents and developers were asked to share their vision for the future development of downtown Youngsville so that the city could determine if additional ordinances were needed for that area.
Architect Lynn Guidry, who has been working with Youngsville to develop a vision for the city, gave a presentation highlighting the well-kept beautiful homes as well as the abandoned properties and blight in the downtown area. He also emphasized the mature and appealing trees and vegetation in the area. Guidry showed historical maps dating back to 1871, and shared insights about the area’s history, noting that many homes were built before 1940. He suggested implementing ordinances requiring newly built homes to adhere to the neighborhood’s design, including features such as front porches and rear-facing garages and parking. He expressed that by cleaning and beautifying their homes, both current and new residents could increase property values and encourage others in the neighborhood to do the same.
A couple of developers discussed plans to build townhomes and a boutique hotel in the downtown area. The developer of the townhouses expressed that to make the development financially feasible, they needed to build townhouses rather than single homes. The boutique hotel developer said that additional businesses, restaurants, etc., were needed within walking distance of downtown.
Residents thank the mayor and city council for holding the public hearing. Several residents spoke, with some complaining about the traffic issues in the area caused by parents dropping off and picking up students at the schools. They expressed concerns about the continued growth. Others opposed the construction of townhomes in their neighborhood, instead wishing for only single-family homes to be built on existing lots without sub dividing.
