[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6386609,"mediaKeyId","2117893-079e2f025632cd79d469a08c36053e03","parentId",2117893,"title","Votes at a glance: Council approves several ordinances, a land purchase and routine measures","audioSeconds",2536,"startMs",122000,"endMs",2658000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2117893-079e2f025632cd79d469a08c36053e03&start=122&end=2658","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2117893-079e2f025632cd79d469a08c36053e03/thumbnail_122000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6386609/Central/East-Baton-Rouge-Parish/Louisiana/Votes-at-a-glance-Council-approves-several-ordinances-a-land-purchase-and-routine-measures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6386609-00df6f2596a3c0684c633a6691faaea0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775266894&Signature=ld2sLOD9TavhsDk9WynBiHQW8l1~T7Bxq5VFi7fRsuQ-e1QT~~odsj-ybXQhYq-jN4OV~tU1t5vTjhFasvEMprh4DlU-VOtZxlP-zgs3iupw-E3uBNDjOazfae17sfI9ikaOxpL8QlMmrBGDp2rJhR46o9VgprHtbRMIaP1CAo0NVWOr6SPNA40A67qqZGO-5L-U48VHjmqscdp1bUsxr47Yoq-A7OcNPLURjTvMTJNVZ0BIcpl3Mac3aAzV9V7Nv~T6qxF95j14UWE3mXBm8Lz8NUSSNiF3bLej-h-4v6fp4we-XsInCNZNOoHUlK5asHC-yk-3KzSYJ-fXcIzWkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-15T12:53:22Z","article","Key formal actions taken at the council meeting (motions, movers/seconders and outcomes as recorded):

- Approval of minutes from the Dec. 10, 2024 meeting — motion noted as made by Council member Myers; second by Council member Roy; recorded as approved in meeting minutes. (Details in council record: mover Myers; second Roy.)

- Election of Mayor Pro Tempore — Council member Aaron McKinney was nominated by Council member Laverne and seconded by Council member Lazaro; roll-call vote recorded all present voting yes; outcome: Aaron McKinney elected mayor pro tempore.

- TA 824 (temporary-sign timing) — Motion to approve as originally written with a 15-day buffer, moved by Council member Aaron McKinney, seconded by Roy; roll-call vote recorded unanimous yes among members present; outcome: approved (ordinance adoption).

- TA 924 (procedures and sign-specification consolidation) — Motion to approve moved by Council member McKinney, seconded by Meyer; roll-call vote recorded unanimous yes among members present; outcome: approved (ordinance adoption). Commission had recommended an amendment requiring black letters and pod signs 4 ft x 8 ft.

- RZ 224 and CUP 224 — Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning and the conditional-use permit for a theater (5 yays, 0 nays, 2 absent). The council introduced these items and scheduled a public hearing for Jan. 28, 2025; final council vote pending.

- Resolution to execute a cash sale with Central City Investment Group LLC (land for flood control) — Motion to approve moved by Council member Laverne, seconded by Meyer; roll-call vote recorded yes among members present; outcome: approved (resolution authorizing mayor to execute sale).

- Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with the Department of the Treasury related to Act 4 of the 2024 regular legislative session — Motion to approve moved by Council member Roy, seconded by Meyer; roll-call vote recorded yes among members present; outcome: approved (resolution authorizing mayor to execute CEA to accept allocated funds).

- Resolution to authorize disposal of certain Central Police Department items — Motion moved by Council member Roy, seconded by Meyer; council authorized disposal of seven surplus monitors after staff described attempts to donate to other law-enforcement agencies; roll-call vote recorded yes among members present; outcome: approved.

- Budget ordinance introductions for public hearing Jan. 28, 2025 — Items introduced include: (a) accept and allocate Act 4 funds; (b) amend FY 2024–25 budget to allocate funds to purchase property for a traffic circle (state project H 011923 at Sullivan and Hooper); (c) amend FY 2024–25 budget to appropriate $50,000 for driveway repairs and culvert work within roadway drainage system. These were introduced for public hearing; final action at Jan. 28.

All votes and roll-call results cited above are taken from the meeting transcript and the clerk’s roll-call recordings. Where the transcript records commission votes (planning commission), those vote tallies are noted separately. Several items were introduced to allow public hearings on Jan. 28, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting - 1/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its meeting the Central City Council approved code changes, a land purchase for flood control, a cooperative endeavor agreement with the state treasury, disposal of surplus police monitors, and elected a mayor pro tempore; several budget and rezoning items were introduced for future hearings.","taxTitle","Central, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana","taxId",68593,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6386613,"Residents urge code enforcement on alleged trucking at Hooper Road property; neighbors raise alarm after overnight police chase",530,1568000,2098000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2117893-079e2f025632cd79d469a08c36053e03&start=1568&end=2098","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2117893-079e2f025632cd79d469a08c36053e03/thumbnail_1568000.jpg","/articles/6386613/Central/East-Baton-Rouge-Parish/Louisiana/Residents-urge-code-enforcement-on-alleged-trucking-at-Hooper-Road-property-neighbors-raise-alarm-after-overnight-police-chase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6386613-ed34338f32d29e85529614b80383ee26/orig.mp4?Expires=1775266894&Signature=W9hZPA2sOubL-0zWiN5~mB7Y0TGCZ7-z~RcqKnTgGKuWSWf1PRXIDZlTu8AdPg7wLn5in~aLe5SdyuuRy6Yt-WwNxaAePed-t-Bl-PHExztCYh6OPaKMVN6qLcUa5FdiuisXYagafd1ZspMrvIF4Q7AYg3JUplzoXwxWgoq6d6Kyq~Edb2vqhrmw~557Iquj0vkvN~4wa2YOM4mD8vR3ARHy9cZP4rYbB-1IiFcVTqRWfhL8NILKD711dHB8K2kURt6dEWSntbyDGb8DAhqgdrCHdC6NaSLer0770px4YQgx12kVRI9ccwQ65fVVIcw3kWFnnJLkdsJv0E89tme-kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two members of the public raised safety and enforcement concerns during the public-comment portion of the meeting.

Terry Dyer alleged an illegal trucking operation at 14344 Hooper Road and told the council he provided photographs and other records to staff. Dyer said he believes trucks connected to the Matthews family operate from that property and said he had provided evidence to the mayor’s attorney and code enforcement. Dyer told the council he believed the operation violated the RA zoning district and small-business-occupation restrictions; his remarks included accusations that staff had not responded adequately.

In response, a staff member said they had reviewed available records and photos and that, based on their review, they did not find evidence of ongoing trucking activity at the times cited. The staff response encouraged anyone with additional evidence to share it and suggested criminal avenues if the speaker believed criminal conduct had occurred.

Pat Farrell, another resident, described a high-speed police chase that, he said, ended near his property on Planchet Road and Frenchtown Road. Farrell said he learned the next morning from a neighbor’s game camera that multiple police units had been in the area and asked why residents were not notified when a suspect may have been hiding in barns or outbuildings. Farrell said his neighbor found a shoe and a sock and that responding officers later identified the person they arrested as possibly connected to the chase.

Mayor Evans and council members responded that law-enforcement agencies generally limit public information during active investigations for officer and public safety reasons and to avoid tipping off suspects. The mayor and council members said the city had, on past occasions, issued area warnings when officers believed the public needed to shelter in place; they also said notification systems have limits and that investigations are often handled by other jurisdictions, which complicates real-time communication.

No formal council action resulted from either public comment; council members said they would follow up with staff and law enforcement as appropriate.

","Two members of the public addressed the council: one alleged an ongoing illegal trucking operation at 14344 Hooper Road and urged enforcement; another described a high-speed police chase that ended near private property and asked why residents were not notified.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6386622,"Council authorizes land purchase for flood-control lake tied to Main Street 2030 project",173,849000,1022000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2117893-079e2f025632cd79d469a08c36053e03&start=849&end=1022","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2117893-079e2f025632cd79d469a08c36053e03/thumbnail_849000.jpg","/articles/6386622/Central/East-Baton-Rouge-Parish/Louisiana/Council-authorizes-land-purchase-for-flood-control-lake-tied-to-Main-Street-2030-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6386622-e77e7e0aa02e0bd18f6844550fba6116/orig.mp4?Expires=1775266894&Signature=X~Bhkjm0farpPtmpQBeQeA6JMsstN6bNXXodsbkPsRhYWHyBmYDM9AIAGuyZYobZMQDEHSqMz~ZMtIe8qGYF~xCYiLvZISwcB8twAEwkFq8TkoImwP4BLqgDmmFsvjBPsALUGcMRYYFbmMtR4kL2E8ZcUcquSTgFnxbAl0rvm8QC0budXT4M9q5kEvxUDGZ8E5PnEyHmu9feSivQrkBHJoHfCPIIbpDzFA7roQ70NkZixxO7dwe-LatSOX4oJVz01Tno7XQwL3BrOXt8W9QSu90qrDLwpmoPAxbpRT1T1FPUFdkFV3zyMPiIsQXShpocqGFRLSb49yeUltOGC0RK1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Central City Council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a cash sale with Central City Investment Group LLC for land to be used in a flood-control project.

The resolution authorizes purchase of approximately 356.3 acres of land for the project; Council member Laverne moved the resolution and Council member Meyer seconded. Council discussion described the property purchase as the backbone of the Main Street 2030 project. Mayor Evans said the lake associated with the project is sized to positively impact 310 houses along the Beaver Bay watershed and that assembled land will support both flood control and related redevelopment elements.

Council members discussed previously allocated funds and indicated the city has capital outlay money available for the purchase; Council member Laverne noted a per-acre figure cited during discussion of about $16,000 per acre. The council approved the resolution in a roll-call vote with members present voting yes.

What happens next: The mayor is authorized to execute the sale; staff will return with implementation details tied to the Main Street 2030 planning and capital outlay funding.

Note on figures: The transcript included the acreage described as “approximately 356.3 acres” and later referenced a per-acre figure of roughly $16,000; both figures were presented in council remarks and are reported here as stated.

","The council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a cash sale for roughly 356.3 acres to support a flood-control lake described as part of the Main Street 2030 project; mayor and council said the lake is sized to lower water levels along the Beaver Bayou and protect about 310 houses.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6386626,"Council introduces rezoning, conditional-use permit for Sullivan Road theater project",92,686000,778000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2117893-079e2f025632cd79d469a08c36053e03&start=686&end=778","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2117893-079e2f025632cd79d469a08c36053e03/thumbnail_686000.jpg","/articles/6386626/Central/East-Baton-Rouge-Parish/Louisiana/Council-introduces-rezoning-conditional-use-permit-for-Sullivan-Road-theater-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6386626-4b6cc4098257e652b251dcffe732ffe8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775266894&Signature=dzRElQjPTmBQN-jIEHtFrYartIJVNkUQKbSotk3aw5w8ufxaWKFR-03nOjqsidjffw7aBR8qJXeAJy270IDh2jtL40C8Riqb7HM4-a~NmuN2CIhSk26pZG47Z4oe6fKnK4PPKWgY2tVczckTbtfjjiDfULFzTYc4KhqCPmlC7UrkOTgmTIHrXwBxeCu5L3uhShgtxPAEtbqPwvz1N40xHH-WU0yselOdWtpOvqvRj-~RCLoc~lhkYOL4vZwFaDyBDJGp3JtOT-j9cbkSgZ2zzIX88IjVGnEUWjbgu3bGyhBl1J-JidnORcICmI4AjZ55onsgWrF~XnVNrm4uOEM4dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council introduced a rezoning request (RZ 224) and a concurrent conditional-use permit (CUP 224) for a theater at Sullivan Road, with a public hearing set for Jan. 28.

Planning and Zoning Commission records included in the council packet show the application from Central Cultural Foundation on behalf of L and H Properties for a 3.89-acre parcel described in commission materials as 8819 to 8889 Sullivan Road on Lot G21 of the JH Sullivan property. Commission action recommended approval of both RZ 224 (rezoning from Rural Agricultural to B-3 General Commercial Business) and CUP 224 (conditional-use permit for a theater) with recorded votes of 5 yays, 0 nays, 2 absent.

The council’s introduction of the items means the matters will return to the council for public hearing and final action on Jan. 28. The applicant and property owners were listed on the commission record as Central Cultural Foundation and L and H Properties.

","The planning commission recommended approval of a rezoning (RZ 224) and a concurrent conditional-use permit (CUP 224) for a 3.89-acre property on Sullivan Road; the council introduced the items for public hearing Jan. 28.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6386631,"Central council reverts temporary sign ‘cool-down’ to 15 days, adopts related sign-regulation changes",597,133000,730000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2117893-079e2f025632cd79d469a08c36053e03&start=133&end=730","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2117893-079e2f025632cd79d469a08c36053e03/thumbnail_133000.jpg","/articles/6386631/Central/East-Baton-Rouge-Parish/Louisiana/Central-council-reverts-temporary-sign-cool-down-to-15-days-adopts-related-sign-regulation-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6386631-e057d3172260c4ee56a2e8cb86b4753d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775266894&Signature=Wx5UKGv~pePG0VXBV2R8eFHTeRBv5CGr5XdioFLIYCDGI2kXzdEb70op4UUCo~M-lsdI5RzDH4HQfcFdeu-RdAezosJdgIH6JRzK-zM3n43whkUpwsN25roW7mNN7DAOZ3cDDL2ucyjUgz9HuPnXtdV1u2WCdq9Bj3EfqvD~m0uNPGkBzYg7~eEWM-zs5YC5-DxKlU1edrhq-HZArMKuUhEDSlCKISXBNcnviO6g8xnlSpwd03DpGKCxRlAumO3tFcmH0Vx8zciUmhRcniGL-5AZLcquU-n~Gs~--0-Kt~gA0xrB1VxQ7DtB2D-ER7VbOYOLX37ByWgrGTF7OQlMBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Central City Council voted Thursday to keep a 15-day “cool-down” period between temporary-sign permits and to approve related procedural changes to the city’s zoning code.

The council returned the buffer period for temporary signs to 15 days after debate over whether extending the buffer to 30 days would harm small and seasonal businesses. Council member Aaron McKinney moved to approve the ordinance as written with the 15-day buffer; the motion was seconded by Council member Roy and passed in a roll-call vote with all members present voting yes.

Council members and staff described the change as an attempt to balance enforcement and business needs. McKinney said a 15-day buffer would allow businesses with short seasonal or holiday sales to advertise twice in a period that a 30-day buffer could prohibit. A staff representative, referencing prior enforcement complaints, said the intent of the package is to make the sign code enforceable while preventing the cityscape from becoming cluttered.

Separately, the council approved TA 924, an ordinance that consolidates and clarifies procedural provisions across the city code and Unified Development Code and adds sign specifications. Council action included an amendment from the planning commission requiring black letters and limiting “pod” signs to 4 feet by 8 feet; Council member McKinney moved the motion to approve and Council member Meyer seconded. The roll call showed unanimous support from members present.

Planning commission records noted prior commission votes recommending approval of the amendments with specific edits. The council record shows the city will inform applicants after hearings to remove signs when appropriate; staff said there is no code requirement to remove a sign automatically after a meeting date, but staff can notify applicants to do so.

What happens next: Both ordinances were approved as amended and will be incorporated into the city’s Unified Development Code and procedural appendix. Enforcement, including outreach to small-business owners, will be handled by city staff under the revised rules.

For transparency: The council and planning commission discussed both TA 824 (temporary-sign timing and related matters) and TA 924 (procedures and sign-specification consolidations). Commission votes on the package were recorded as 5 yays, 0 nays, 2 absent; council roll calls recorded unanimous yes votes among members present when the council acted.

","The Central City Council voted to keep a 15-day buffer between temporary-sign permits and approved a separate procedural ordinance that sets letter color and pod-sign dimensions, after debate about effects on small and seasonal businesses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Council approves several ordinances, a land purchase and routine measures

Residents urge code enforcement on alleged trucking at Hooper Road property; neighbors raise alarm after overnight police chase

Council authorizes land purchase for flood-control lake tied to Main Street 2030 project

Council introduces rezoning, conditional-use permit for Sullivan Road theater project

Central council reverts temporary sign ‘cool-down’ to 15 days, adopts related sign-regulation changes