Permits granted for Mandeville's first steel home

By Matthew Penix
Published on Monday, March 3, 2008 9:20 AM CST

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St. Tammany News

Mother nature can huff and puff, but she will likely never blow Kathia "K.B." Richardson's home down.

Mandeville City Council members on Thursday approved permits for Richardson to construct what's believed to be the first steel home in city limits, capable of withstanding 225 mph winds, or a Category 5 hurricane.

The home, located in Old Mandeville at 1611 Lakeshore Drive near the Pontchartrain Yacht Club, will also never be painted and repels termites because its walls, frame and roof are 100 percent steel, the owner said.

"Why build a stick home," Richardson asked, "especially when the next (hurricane) is going to come along and blow it down?"

The home, built in sections then trucked to site where it will be welded and assembled, should take up to six weeks to complete, she said. Richardson hired designer Michael Pakech to engineer a steel home with southern aesthetics, easily able to fit in the theme of quaint homes of old Mandeville, she said.

Mandeville Councilman Denis Bechac motioned for approval of a 30-day permit to begin construction and another 30-day permit for Richardson to live in a trailer until construction begins. Richardson will then be permitted to live in the trailer for up to six months or until construction is finished, according to the unanimously approved motion.

"I think it will be a worthy project compared to some of these other monstrosities going up in Mandeville," Richardson told the council.

Also at the meeting:

City Council officials approved a 17.1 percent increase in medical and dental insurance costs from last year for city employees, increasing co-payments for the first time in five years.

The city's medical plans with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana and its dental plans with Principal Life Insurance Co. will cost the city $1.36 million yearly.

"I've never known any employee who thought they had a better insurance plan than they had here," Councilwoman Zella Walker said. The plan was unanimously approved, with Councilwoman Adelaide Boettner absent.

For the first time in the history of the Mandeville Trailhead, visitors may have set hours of visitation if a new ordinance is approved March 13 after a public discussion. City Council officials introduced the ordinance Thursday night to keep open the park 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

"There are no established rules that govern the hours of operation of the Trailhead or the use of the Trailhead Facility and Park, and such rules are necessary for the safety and enjoyment of the public," according to the ordinance.

If approved, roller blades, roller skates, skateboards and sitting or climbing on railings will also be banned. The proposed ordinance does not address concert or special events that may last later than 10 p.m.

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Comments

3 comment(s)

Anson wrote on Sep 28, 2010 10:46 PM:

" This is his son I'm doing fine I love my life and I love my family "

Ron wrote on Jul 24, 2010 3:16 AM:

" Your a creep. Go die you freak. Now know why your son Anson is so messed up in the head. "

J.D.Zaffuto wrote on Sep 15, 2009 7:19 PM:

" Attention Mr.Dean;
Your hwy 21 project just like the whole city. The road is not even finished and it is falling apart.Where
did you get the rum dumb contractors.I was speaking with fellow Realtors and they believe city hall needs an enemia.This includes the Sherrif,he cant even keep the prisoners in jail,what a disgrace,I noticed how they hide that under the rug.What a sad situation in a parish where the property taxes is this high. Boston street on of the main streets feel like
New Orleans streets..Sad..Sad...Don't quit your daytime job.. "

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