Council grants variance despite fire-hydrant infrastructure concerns in Manchester Manor

The Lafourche Parish Council voted May 26 to grant a variance allowing the proposed division of lots in Manchester Manor despite planning staff reporting the neighborhood lacks water infrastructure sized to support a fire hydrant.

Resident Jennifer Bja told the council she lives on a three-mile road with no fire hydrants and said she was attempting to subdivide one acre to help a family member in need. “I bought this property eight years ago. I have zero understanding on how it doesn't exist,” she said, describing the hardship.

David, a planning department official, explained the subdivision was developed in the mid-1970s with 4-inch water lines and no hydrants, and that Lafourche Parish Planning cannot approve a subdivision that does not meet the code. He told the council the water district will not allow a hydrant on a 4-inch line and that the nearest adequate hydrant is roughly 3,000 feet away.

Council members discussed options, including seeking funding to upgrade water lines or requesting a written assurance from the local fire chief about drafting plans from a nearby pond. Several members said they were sympathetic to the resident’s hardship but concerned about fairness if some owners must pay for hydrants while others receive variances.

The council approved the variance (vote recorded as six yays, one nay, one abstention, one absence). Planning staff and the council noted the decision addresses an individual hardship; the discussion also identified a long-term need to change the regulation or pursue water-line upgrades to make outcomes consistent across neighborhoods.