Natchitoches Club Controversy
By: Heidi York
Updated: August 15, 2009
People living in the Payne Subdivision in Natchitoches say a nightclub is in the works behind their neighborhood. It’s something they say don’t want in their community.
The woman backing the business says it’s just an entertainment center. She plans to rent it out for banquets, wedding receptions, family reunions, and parties. But neighbors are concerned about the late hours and the noise.
“First thing, it’s going to drop the value of the neighborhood. Secondly, it’s going to bring in drugs and no rest Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night,” said Larry Armstrong, who's lived in the neighborhood for 30 years. The building in question is right behind his home.
We spotted the building's owner working on the property. He says he’s renting out the space and has never been told it would be a club.
“I don’t think its going to be a nightclub," said Bill Franklin. "The lady said she’s going to do some entertainment or family recreation and things like that,” he added.
One of the main issues is the late hours. The business would be zoned B-3 which means it could be open until 2 am. But the business developer says she doesn’t plan to keep it open that late.
“It will not be open Sunday through Thursday on working nights till 2:00 in the morning," said Shantel Hardison. “On Friday and Saturday, if somebody gave a party I don’t know how long they would be there, but if I have to close to respect the people and be done at 12, it doesn’t matter to me,” she added.
The next step is a hearing before the parish police jury. It could decide whether the entertainment center can open in the proposed location. The hearing is Monday, August 17 at 5:00 pm.
The woman backing the business says it’s just an entertainment center. She plans to rent it out for banquets, wedding receptions, family reunions, and parties. But neighbors are concerned about the late hours and the noise.
“First thing, it’s going to drop the value of the neighborhood. Secondly, it’s going to bring in drugs and no rest Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night,” said Larry Armstrong, who's lived in the neighborhood for 30 years. The building in question is right behind his home.
We spotted the building's owner working on the property. He says he’s renting out the space and has never been told it would be a club.
“I don’t think its going to be a nightclub," said Bill Franklin. "The lady said she’s going to do some entertainment or family recreation and things like that,” he added.
One of the main issues is the late hours. The business would be zoned B-3 which means it could be open until 2 am. But the business developer says she doesn’t plan to keep it open that late.
“It will not be open Sunday through Thursday on working nights till 2:00 in the morning," said Shantel Hardison. “On Friday and Saturday, if somebody gave a party I don’t know how long they would be there, but if I have to close to respect the people and be done at 12, it doesn’t matter to me,” she added.
The next step is a hearing before the parish police jury. It could decide whether the entertainment center can open in the proposed location. The hearing is Monday, August 17 at 5:00 pm.
