What mailer?
Ochsner Health sent a mailer (oversized postcard) to some number of Old Jefferson residents. Some number of people received the mailer on October 12, 2024. We suspect many Old Jefferson residents and property owners who do not live locally did NOT receive the mailer. We provide a copy of the mailer below, and our response.
Ochsner has a long-term strategy of nearly four plus decades (40+ years) of purchasing homes, requesting rezoning from Jefferson Parish (JP), and then razing the homes. OJCA is trying with all our might to stop that cycle of events in the Old Jefferson neighborhoods, to raise awareness with elected officials, and to keep affordable housing stock, green space, and tree canopy in Old Jefferson. Of course we care deeply about the traffic and drainage issues that will result from Ochsner's expansion into Old Jefferson residential areas.
Know that OJCA has been in direct communication with JP Council 2 member, the Honorable Deano Bonano, as well as VP of Community Affairs at Ochsner, Emily Arata, and Ochsner's VP System Real Estate and Partnerships, Tiffany Goitia, about the current rezoning ordinances that will be voted on by the JP Council on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
In the very short time since OJCA's formation in August 2024, we have made great progress to simply be heard by JP's Public Advisory Board, by Councilman Bonano, by Ochsner Health executives. OJCA members have worked collectively and assiduously to listen and to learn from each other. Our strategies and positions on neighborhood preservation have been defined and refined as we listen to the voices of everyday people who live in Old Jefferson -- both homeowners and renters. We have attended all the Ochsner Neighborhood meetings and as well now hold our own OJCA meetings.
Below is our response to Ochsner's mailer. We want to have on record what OJCA has been advocating for. This is in addition to Ochsner's concessions -- the preservation of live oaks, increased drainage, and no hotel on River Road that are mentioned in the mailer -- which are a result of private citizens speaking up and OJCA members' advocacy. OJCA also raised many other options at public hearings - like moving Ochsner's planned traffic lanes to save even more tree canopy.
OJCA's response to Ochsner's mailer
OJCA has been advocating for a contract between Ochsner, it's agents and assignees, Jefferson Parish, and OJCA.
OJCA contract points:
Because Ochsner expresses a need for housing for staff and long-term visitors, OJCA shall not object to Ochsner's purchase of residential properties in OJCA's area of influence, subject to the following:
- Ochsner shall not purchase properties through intermediaries (purchases shall be transparent as Ochsner purchases),
- Ochsner shall not require Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) from Sellers,
- Ochsner shall maintain the properties,
- Ochsner shall keep the properties in commerce by utilizing and occupying properties for staff and long-term visitors,
- Ochsner shall not seek to re-zone residential properties for a period of 50 (fifty) years from the purchase of each property.
Ochsner shall maintain and preserve the "pocket park" (on River Road and Deckbar Avenue) for public use, and refrain from any use and/or construction not in keeping with its purpose as a public park for a period of 99 (ninety-nine) years.
Regardless of the zoning of the property now occupied by Levee Run Apartments (222 Deckbar Ave, Jefferson, LA 70121) and its contiguous parking, Ochsner shall not build upon the property anything other than residential housing whose height shall not exceed 35 (thirty-five) feet, and whose western property setback shall be not less than 20 (twenty) feet. Any lighting shall not diminish the peace and enjoyment of the property owners in Rio Vista Avenue, west of the present Levee Run Apartments property.
Should Ochsner breach any of the above contracted points, they shall lose parish and state property tax exemptions on all now and future residential properties owned by Ochsner, their agents, and heirs at the time of the breach for a period of 12 (twelve) years from the date of said breach.
Ochsner's mailer
