It hasn't always been easy. The association has had to fight many battles with commercial developers and on numerous occasions has packed the hearing rooms at City Hall to protect the interest of the residents of Melrose. Our city continues to grow and change is inevitable. New

ideas about the use of the land surrounding Melrose Place will continually be presented to the zoning commission for review and recommendation. Melrose Civic Association stays ever-alert to zoning change proposals and requests for variance and is dedicated to protecting the homeowner's interest. Monitoring the zoning change proposals and vigorous action to abate zoning violations has been the secret to maintaining the standard of residential real estate values in Melrose Place. But it is not always a fight! The Zoning Committee has also been successful in working with developers and commercial neighbors who have been willing to respect the residential zoning interests of Melrose Place property owners. Through study and investigation, the association has been able make many recommendations which have assured acceptable commercial neighbors in our vicinity while maintaining the strict residential status of the subdivision itself. For these and other reasons, Melrose Civic Association enjoys a reputation as one of the oldest and strongest homeowner associations in Baton Rouge.

LIVE AND LOVE The BENEFITS OF LIVING IN MELROSE PLACE

Melrose Place has the lowest in- cidence of crime of any residential subdi- vision in East Baton Rouge Parish thanks to our regular security patrols.

Homes in Melrose Place are very affordable. Prices range from $100,000 to $200,000. Melrose Place has a strong

homeowner association that is constantly working to keep the neighborhood clean and attractive. Melrose Place has large

lots -- some of which are a half-acre or larger. Most of the lots in Melrose Place are wooded; not with saplings, but with mature hardwood trees that give cooling shade in the summer months and help lower utility bills. Melrose Place has extra-wide streets with curbs and gutters. Many of Baton Rouge's high-priced neighborhoods don't have curbs and gutters. Homes in Melrose Place were constructed during a period when crafts- manship was important. These homes are built to last and most will remain standing long after homes of the seventies have collapsed. Many of the homes contain fea- tures that are considered luxuries in today's market such as hardwood floors, wrought iron railings, plaster walls, steel plumbing, solid wood sheathing on exterior walls and roofs (homes built today use plywood), solid wood doors, nine and ten foot ceilings, and many others. Melrose Place is ten minutes from down- town, with its many theatres, museums and res- taurants. Nearby is the Mid-City arts and shopping district, with more restaurants, galleries and eclec- tic shops. Cortana Mall is just five minutes away.