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Planning commission introduces master plan amendment to raise flood freeboard to 2 feet
Summary
The Livingston Parish Planning Commission introduced a proposed master-plan change to require a 2-foot freeboard above base flood elevation and to add a no-adverse-impact mitigation standard; the item will be publicly heard at the next meeting after staff distributes the packet.
The Livingston Parish Planning Commission introduced a change to the parish master plan on Jan. 8 to add a minimum 2-foot freeboard above base flood elevation (BFE) and to include a no-adverse-impact mitigation requirement for fill placed in flood zones.
The proposal, presented by Ralph Burgess of the master plan committee, would replace the parish’s existing 1-foot freeboard requirement and add language aligning permitting submittals with current FEMA rules, including references to 44 CFR 59.1 and adverse-impact mitigation for fills in floodways or flood zones. Burgess said the change is intended to bring parish planning documents into compliance with FEMA and the Community Rating System and to support the parish’s efforts to lower flood-insurance rates.
The commission’s action at the meeting was limited to introducing the amendment for public hearing and distribution: commissioners asked that staff provide the text to the commission before the public hearing so members can review it. Planning staff and committee members said the parish council already adopted an ordinance implementing the new freeboard standard; adding the language to the master plan is intended to make the change visible in the master-plan document and to support the parish’s CRS rating work.
Supporters at the meeting said the change responds to HUD and FEMA requirements and would help reduce flood insurance costs for parish property owners. Bourges and other committee members noted the update also clarifies what applicants must submit for permitting, including mitigation (for example, detention or compensatory storage) when fill raises ground elevations in floodplains.
Commissioners voted to introduce the amendment and set a public hearing for the next planning-commission meeting; staff said the packet will be circulated to members ahead of that hearing. No final adoption of the master plan text occurred at the Jan. 8 meeting; staff said final action will follow a public hearing and, if adopted by the commission, ratification by the parish council as required by local procedure.
