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LTPOA Newsletter Fall 2024

Who is ready for football, cooler weather, and not so humid days? The Lake Terrace Property Owners Association (LTPOA) Board will begin sending out a regular newsletter to let everyone know the happenings and activities in and around Lake Terrace as well as what the LTPOA Board has been working on. If you know of anything happening in or around the neighborhood and would like to share any news, drop us a line and tell us what is going on. We want Lake Terrace residents to be aware of what is happening in the neighborhood. We also would like feedback on what we, as the LTPOA board can do to help Lake Terrace be a better place to live and enhance our community. You can contact us at members@laketerracepoa.com


 

Recent LTPOA Board Activities

  • Secure funding from Lakeshore Management Authority for landscaping around the 3 Lake Terrace signs, the Lake Terrace fountain, and Boreas Park

  • Coordinate with the Lake Terrace Crime Prevention District

  • Attend meetings of the Lakefront Management Authority (LMA)

  • Attend city planning meetings as needed

  • Work with the other 3 Lake Area neighborhood associations

  • Address water leaks, clogged storm drains, broken street lights, complaints, and violations of building restrictions

  • Plan social events

  • Maintain little free library on Killdeer in Boreas Park

  • Maintain the LTPOA website; issue periodic updates and other communications via email and social media

  • Promote membership


 

President's Message

Lately, our neighborhood has been dealing with issues because residents are ignoring the Building Restrictions meant to keep our wide spaces and relaxed lifestyle in Lake Terrace. Sadly, some people don't grasp that breaking these rules, like having big fences, doesn't allow everyone to enjoy the great life we have here. These rules were established when our area was developed by the Orleans Levee Board in the 1950’s. The LTPOA Board did not create these restrictions, but this is a common misconception.  A link to the restrictions is at the end of the newsletter. On May 21st, I personally received a threatening text message on my phone, specifically targeting me as the President of the LTPOA and threatening me with a “slow, painful death”. This is completely unacceptable and very scary. I reported this immediately to the NOPD, Levee Police, FBI, and the Lake Terrace Crime Prevention District. Unfortunately, the phone was disposable, so they can't identify the sender.


I want to remind everyone that all board members are all volunteers dedicated to improving our community. Being the President is not as straightforward as it seems, with numerous regulations and city organizations to manage. Currently, the number of homeowners who are active members of the Lake Terrace Property Owners Association (LTPOA) is less than half. It's crucial for us to unite for the benefit of our community to achieve and maintain our vision of a picturesque Lake Terrace filled with large yards and abundant greenery, which is unique in the city of New Orleans.


Imagine our neighborhood as a team. With just 122 members out of 438 residents, it's challenging to perform at our best. Part of this challenge is funding, not only for social events, but for improvements to the neighborhood and legal fees associated with enforcing our ng standing neighborhood restrictions (more details below). Many residents are not aware that the annual fees they pay with their property taxes do not cover LTPOA membership. These are two separate entities that must remain distinct due to the state's rules and regulations.  LTPOA Membership is only $36 per year ($3.00 per month), which is the best value you will find anywhere!


Won't you think about joining us, giving us a call, or hanging out with your neighbor to invite them into the LTPOA? This could help boost our numbers and bring our awesome community back together! This is what can make Lake Terrace an even better place to live. Visit www.laketerracepoa.com/membership to join now.


 

Lawsuit and Legal Defense Fund

The LTPOA is tasked with monitoring happenings that affect our properties and way of life.  At times this responsibility involves costs and resources.  A developer is attempting to morph a single family home into a multi dwelling property by creating two separate addresses.  This is akin to your neighbor having a separate address placed on the pool house in his yard.  He could then live in the main residence and lease the pool house.  The developer applied for a variance with the City of New Orleans and was granted a second address based on an elderly family member using the pool house as a temporary living area in her final years. We objected to the variance for a second address and lost on a technicality. Our neighborhood was built as and still is designated as Single Family Residential.


We asked that the matter be reconsidered and Judge Cates – Civil District Court, Orleans Parish, returned the matter to the Board of Zoning Adjustments. The City of New Orleans subsequently appealed Judge Cates’ ruling.


Our ability to challenge the developer and City of New Orleans egregious flaunting of our neighborhood and restrictions depleted the LTPOA emergency fund as legal expenses to date are $12,000. Should we ignore these happenings our neighborhood will continue to be exploited by developers.  Therefore, we must make the never before move of raising funds to replenish our reserves and continue to safeguard Lake Terrace. This is also why we are trying to change the zoning, so this never happens again. Donations to the legal defense fund can be made at https://www.laketerracepoa.com/donate


 

Little Free Library Update

The door of the little free library in Boreas Park was recently snapped off at the bottom hinge. Not to worry, the books were removed from the library, and the door was taken to the workshop of a neighborhood resident, Nick Nicolay, for reconstruction. The door was carefully rebuilt. Hardwood dowels were drilled and glued into the door joints to offer additional strength. The frame was sanded and refinished in two coats of exterior sealer, and the glass was reinstalled. Prior to re-installing the door, the main structure of the library was lightly sanded and fresh coats of exterior wood sealer and yellow paint were applied. To improve the durability of the door, a cable operated open assist was installed on the door. The library has been re-stocked with books and is once again in working order. Hopefully these repairs and modifications will ensure a fully functioning library for the foreseeable future. Special thanks to Nick Nicolay for the initial construction and recent repair work!



 

Compliance with Building Restrictions: Essential Guidelines for ALL Lake Terrace Property Owners

When Lake Terrace was developed in the 1950's by the Orleans Levee District the commissioners established a set of regulations that all property owners are legally bound to follow. These regulations are the Lake Terrace Building Restrictions, and they are what make our neighborhood unique and so inviting. Again, we are a Single Family Residential neighborhood. No multi unit dwellings are allowed.

Since establishing these restrictions, the Orleans Levee District has become the Lakefront Management Authority (LMA). Residents are required to submit all building plans to the LMA before going to the City of New Orleans. In cases where the Restrictions differ from the City Zoning Ordinances (CZO), the more restrictive rule will be applied.


Below is a link to the restrictions, which are posted on the LTPOA website.  https://www.laketerracepoa.com/copy-of-charter


 

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