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Sulphur council grants temporary exception allowing resident’s daughter to live in business district
Summary
The Sulphur City Council approved an exception so Jessica Cart may live at 3417 Maplewood Drive in a business district, with a stipulation that the exception ends if she moves out; owner Ron Carte sought the change to convert the building back to a full residence for his daughter.
The City Council of Sulphur voted to grant an exception allowing a residence at 3417 Maplewood Drive within a business district, limited to the owner’s daughter, Jessica Cart, and subject to reverting to business zoning if she moves out.
Ron Carte identified himself at the public hearing and described the property’s history. “I purchased a residence on Maplewood Drive many years ago, and I used it as a business... it is 1 building, 1 residence,” Carte said. He told the council he intends to renovate the structure so his daughter can live there: “I’ve decided to renovate and make this a residence for her so that it'd be a greater help.”
City staff explained the exception is temporary and specific to the circumstances presented. “If we allow this exception whenever, like will it revert back if his daughter, like, let's say she moves out? ... Correct. It's not a continuous exception. It's for this particular branch,” a city official (Mister Lofton) said during the hearing when describing the scope of the exception.
Councilmembers amended the ordinance’s language to name the beneficiary and limit the exception to her use. The council spelled out that the property’s zoning would not be changed; the action was an exception to allow a person to reside in the business district and would require a new application if a different occupant sought a residential use later.
After the amendment limiting the exception to Jessica Cart, the council voted to approve the exception as amended. The meeting record shows roll-call affirmation and the chairman announced the motion carried.
The action does not rezone the property; council members said a rezone application would be required to make a permanent change.
Votes at a glance: the council approved the motion to grant the exception as amended; the motion limited the exception to Jessica Cart and specified the property would revert to business use if she vacates.
The council did not set a timeline for any further administrative steps; the owner was advised he could return to the council if he sought a different outcome later.
