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Planning and Zoning Board OKs workforce-housing exception on West M. Perkins Road; applicant denies 'man camp' plans
Summary
On April 22, 2025, the Calcasieu Parish Planning and Zoning Board approved an exception allowing workforce housing on part of a 39-acre industrially zoned site in Sulphur. The applicant, Steve Belshi, denied social-media claims the project would operate as a "man camp." The motion passed 9–0 with one member absent.
The Calcasieu Parish Planning and Zoning Board on April 22 approved an exception to allow workforce housing on a portion of a 39-acre site on West M. Perkins Road in Sulphur, voting 9 in favor, none opposed, with one member absent.
Planning staff told the board the property had been rezoned last month to permit industrial uses and that workforce housing requires a two-step approval: rezoning followed by a board exception. The staff recommended the exception be granted with conditions including adherence to the submitted site plan, inward-oriented exterior lighting, required stormwater best management practices, a possible traffic-impact analysis, submission of consolidated gravity drainage district number 21 West before permitting, and permitting approvals subject to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the Louisiana Department of Health and Sanitation.
"It's a 2 step process for workforce housing," said Miss Tod, planning staff, explaining why the item returned to the board after last month's rezoning approval.
Board member Art Little pressed the applicant on the intended use, asking, "...or will this be a, 24 7 3 65 workforce housing facility?" The applicant, Steve Belshi, who identified his address for the record as 415 Carlos Drive, said the proposal was not a continuous residential camp and denied plans for a long-term man camp. "That is not a man camp. Never will be a man camp as long as I own it," Belshi said, adding the workforce units shown on the submitted site plan were intended for emergency or tenant-driven use rather than year‑round occupancy.
Miss Latricia Cobb made the motion to grant the exception and Miss Janelle Hyatt seconded. A roll-call vote recorded yes votes from Art Little; Jake Porsche; Kirk Smith; Carl Vincent; Diane Winie; Sharon Galicia; Latricia Cobb; Keith DeBrock; and Janelle Hyatt. Sal Williams was absent. The board announced the motion passed.
After the vote, the board noted that the Police Jury later recorded action on related items; meeting minutes stated that on March 20, 2025, the Police Jury approved a related recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Board.
The board conditioned approval on the applicant and any future property owner adhering to the approved site plan or returning to the board to request changes.
