<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0Nae0S_18CoxQ1o00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Nae0S_18CoxQ1o00" width="2048" height="1367" ><figcaption>The former Handy Stop Market at 444 Jefferson Street, is set to be knocked down and replaced with 21 condos, complete with a parking garage on the first floor. Photo by Travis Gauthier</figcaption></figure>A plan to turn the former location of the Handy Stop Market on Jefferson Street into a condo building can move forward after a district judge denied an appeal of an underlying zoning decision brought by the Downtown Development Authority.15th Judicial District Court Judge John Trahan ruled in favor of Lafayette Consolidated Government on Tuesday morning, dismissing DDA’s appeal on the basis of standing. Last year, Lafayette’s zoning board OK’d the project to move forward as <a href="https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/business/multi-family-project-planned-for-old-handy-stop-location-downtown/article_cd61d8ce-9039-4f64-937c-5f09af5bd4c4.html">imagined by developer Cliff Guidry</a>, despite the plan not conforming to Downtown codes. The Jefferson Street building has sat empty since the market closed in 2022. Guidry plans to demolish the current structure and build the 21 condos in its place, with parking on the first floor for the above units. That ground-floor parking is at the center of the zoning controversy, with the DDA arguing that it violates Downtown’s development code.“There is no other building Downtown that has been allowed to do this,” said DDA CEO Kevin Blanchard on the stand Tuesday. DDA, Blanchard explained, was created to revitalize a blighted Downtown, as well as improve and maintain property values, and as such should have a say in the matter. In an email to LCG staff, Guidry and the project’s architect, Blanchard expressed concern that “the absence of windows, doors, or a real connection to the sidewalk is a significant departure from the pedestrian-friendly atmosphere we’re working to cultivate downtown.”Trahan ruled that it wasn’t the DDA’s place to complain, as it owns no land adjacent to the property in question, disqualifying it from being an “aggrieved” party, <a href="https://www.studicata.com/summaries/court-of-appeal-of-louisiana/bass-custom-signs-llc-v-lafayette-city-parish-consolidated-government-2014-ldxr8d/">according to established local precedent</a>. However, Trahan acknowledged that the case could have gone differently if heard elsewhere.“If I’m sitting in New Orleans, you win, but we are in the Third Circuit,” said Trahan. Trahan expressed some concern with “the facts of the case,” namely, a previous claim by Guidry to the zoning board that DDA had seen and approved his plans, made before the board gave its approval. Guidry later walked back those claims in an interview with <a href="https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/business/downtown-authority-to-seek-legal-action-over-condo-project/article_f9cc278b-1aff-4f4e-ba2e-9eef946ed858.html">The Acadiana Advocate, saying he misspoke when he made his case to the zoning board.</a>DDA helped author the Lafayette Downtown Code, and customarily has been asked for its approval by the zoning board in cases where exceptions have been sought.“What is it about Cliff Guidry’s variances…that is worth setting a precedent that could just basically gut the entire code?” Blanchard told The Current.Blanchard said that allowing this development to move forward would set a precedent that would threaten DDA’s ability to fulfill its mission. He says he’s undecided on whether to further appeal the decision.Barring a further DDA appeal, Guidry can go forward with his development, the first in Downtown to have a parking garage at street level, instead of retail, housing or office space.</div></body>

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A plan to turn the former location of the Handy Stop Market on Jefferson Street into a condo building can move forward after a district judge denied an appeal of an underlying zoning decision brought by the Downtown Development Authority. 15th Judicial District Court Judge John Trahan ruled in favor...

Controversial Downtown condo project gets green light

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A plan to turn the former location of the Handy Stop Market on Jefferson Street into a condo building can move forward after a district judge denied an app

Controversial Downtown condo project gets green light

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