The City Council Thursday turned down a request for a change in zoning classification which would have allowed Louisiana State University to build to heights of 75 feet on land acquired for a medical complex.
The university has acquired the 22.5 acres which formerly was the site of the United States Navy Housing Project, Bienville Homes. The land is in the area bounded by Florida ave., Moss,
Roger Williams, and Wilshire pi.—across Bayou St. John from City Park.
A center for postgraduate work in medical research is planned for the area, which was recently declared surplus by the government and transferred to the university.
10 BUILDINGS
Preliminary plans submitted by the university call for construction of 10 buildings, four of them to be used for teaching of sciences and medicine. Six would be apartments and administrative quarters.
LSU sought to have the area zoning changed from "A"' Single Family" to "D Multiple Family," which classification would allow the 75-foot building height. Under the "A" designation there is a 35-foot height restriction.
The City Planning Commission had recommended approval of the change in classification but the council voted against it 7-0.
Councilman John J. Petre, in whose district the property is located, said that he did not think the petition for change had merit strictly on a zoning | basis, but because it came from LSU deserved consideration. USE INDEFINITE
He pointed out that the proposed use is indefinite particularly in view of the recent decision of the Orleans Levee Board to transfer the lakefront site of Camp Leroy Johnson to the university.
He also contended that the present population density of the area would be doubled by the proposed change.
Dr. John Hunter, LSU president, explained the purpose of the proposal and claimed that the project would enhance the area and pointed out that under the present zoning the university can and will build in the area but will not be able to make the most efficient use of land.
