Planning commission approves Madisonville subdivision with waivers after neighbors voice rezoning, drainage concerns

The St. Tammany Parish Planning and Zoning Commission approved a minor subdivision in Madisonville that splits a 20.16-acre parcel into four parcels and included waivers for two flag lots whose access strips slightly exceeded standard width limits.

Staff explained the request required a waiver because the unified development code allows only one flag lot per application and the two proposed flag lots each exceeded the code’s maximum allowable pole width by 0.3 feet. The applicant did not appear with extra materials but staff noted the unusual parcel configuration and recommended conditions numbered 1 and 2 in the staff report.

Jesse LaBeouf, who said he lives at 929 Highway 1085 adjacent to the site, spoke in opposition and said he was concerned the subdivision felt like “the first step towards rezoning” and possible future commercial development such as a convenience store or gas station. He said he was “strongly against” living next to commercial uses. Another resident, Jonas Hass, raised a drainage concern for his property that currently drains to a man-made channel at the rear of the lots; staff responded that any future development would be required to include a drainage plan and could not legally obstruct existing drainage.

A nearby resident later said he planned to buy some of the subdivided pieces to keep the area wooded and minimize development, and the commission recognized that intent during debate.

Commissioner Arcemont moved to approve the subdivision with the requested waivers and Commissioner Seager seconded; commissioners voted to approve the motion. The staff report and the applicant’s revised survey (distributed to commissioners at the meeting) were listed as conditions of approval.

Staff noted the waivers rely on specific UDC provisions (flag-pole width and access-strip rules) and that the approval was for the subdivision configuration before the commission; any future development would require separate drainage and building-plan review.