More than a month after a state judge ordered Abita Springs' mayor to jail for not allowing a controversial housing development to be built, the first phase of the development has won "conditional approval" from a town board.

The Abita Springs Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 30 granted conditional approval to the "final plat" for phase 1 of the Abita Meadows subdivision, meaning the developer could soon seek building permits to construct 71 of the development's 390 homes, so long as the developer completes a list of agreed-upon items like installing street signs and burying exposed wires.

But while the developer, Lonesome Development, is closer than ever to making the subdivision a reality after a six-year legal dispute, Lonesome still believes Abita Springs Mayor Dan Curtis is in

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