Press Release

LULING – Since 1997, when the property was purchased for development, plans for Ashton Estates have been stalled. The 2,000-home residential project, due for construction between Luling and Interstate 310, may be settled soon by a federal judge.

The holdup in development has been the Union Pacific Railroad, which has so far resisted construction of a crossing off River Road, leading to the bulk of the development.

In March 2002, the St. Charles Parish Council voted to file for expropriation of the railroad crossing site itself, being part of the public street right of way. Barring an out-of-court agreement, the matter will be heard Dec. 4 at 9 a.m., by U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon, parish attorney Bobby Raymond said.

The joint venture with J.B. Levert Land Co. and Rathborne Land Co. plans to begin marketing lots in its first phase of 211 homesites, “The Lakes,” once that approval is reached.

The Ashton developmental plans, according to its website www.ashtonplantation.com, include 2,022 homesites, 220 acres in parks, 5.5 miles of walking paths and 104 acres of lakes.

The plans for the first phase also include a 29-acre site for a new elementary school, a lot for a community center and improvements at River Road to improve access, according to Jim Hoor of J.B. Levert Land manager Jim Hooper.

Next, the planners will select contractors for construction of the drainage system, the central “spine” road and the river road connection.

An emergency-only entrance from Hackberry Street will be closed with a gate except for fire, ambulance and police. In exchange, the developers agreed to give $60,000 toward improvements of Hackberry, a narrow, two-lane road connecting with Paul Maillard Road, presently with deep ditches on each side.

Parish planning director Robert Lambert confirmed that all agreements, including on school bus turnarounds, recreation and sewerage, have all been completed.

Once the subdivision has reached the 1,130 home-point in its long-term development, the developers will seek direct access to Interstate 310, Hooper said.

The developers hope to build an average of 80 residences per year, priced at an average of $162,153 at first, over a period of 20 years, according to Rathborne Land Company.

The 1,625-acre Ashton Plantation adjoining Luling was purchased in September 1997, by a partnership including Rathborne and J.B. Levert Land Company for $2.2 million from St. Charles Holdings Inc.