Residents in a Lafayette Parish neighborhood have been fighting for over a year against the development of a brand new subdivision.

Even after numerous complaints and a lawsuit against the parish the developer says they still plan to go forward with their plans.

John Richard has been fighting the development of the new subdivision "Woodgate" next to his home for nearly two years earning him a spot in what some are calling the "Tabb Street Gang".

"This is more or less just a subdivision being thrown in a area that's not ready to handle that" says Richard.

John's lived at his home for 30 years and says the 14th and a half acres purchased by the developer in is a part of town that just can't support sixty four new homes.

Woodgate's developer Steven Montgomery points out that quote we are following all rules and regulations in place that Lafayette has.

Future neighbors say their concerns are what's being ignored, as well as the possible fire hazard homes so close to each other could cause, not to mention an increased issue that's already present in the area... flooding.

Richard says the way the land is plotted it would raise the subdivision off the ground but that also causes flood waters to rise up halfway up his home.

Richard says 40 homes would probably be a better suit for the neighborhood.

But Montgomery says they're bending as much as they can without breaking stating if you look at the guidelines by the city they recommend 12 lots per acre, which would put us over two hundred lots.

To help squash one issue developers say they are waiting on results of a drainage survey taken earlier this year by city engineers and will follow whatever recommendations are made.

Robert Burns