Board approves 10-year extension for 97-acre borrow pit on Ward Line Road with conditions

On July 22, 2025, the Calcasieu Parish Planning and Zoning Board approved a request from Abare Abstract Company LLC to extend excavation of an approved 97-acre borrow pit on the 8300 block of Ward Line Road for an additional 10 years. Staff recounted the history: the board originally approved the 97-acre borrow pit in February 2018 with a requirement that excavation be completed within three years; the applicant received a three-year extension in 2022 and now asked for a further ten-year extension to excavate the remaining approved borrow pit. Because staff expected minimal impacts, they recommended approval with specific conditions. Conditions set by staff and incorporated by the board include adherence to the site plan on file (with the director or designee permitted to authorize technical adjustments), approval of any division of property by the planning and zoning board, review by the division of engineering for deviations exceeding the submitted application, an updated letter of no objection from Gravity Drainage District 2 East, a new road damage bond in an amount to be determined by the division of engineering, and compliance with section 26-1-22-1(h)(4)(x) through (xii) of the Parish Code of Ordinances. Board member Art Little asked whether any new ordinances or drainage rules would affect the approval; staff indicated the drainage lateral and the requirement for drainage-district approval were relevant and listed in the conditions. The motion to approve was made by Latricia Cobb and seconded by (Miss) Winnie; there was no public opposition on the record and the board approved by voice vote. Staff will require the updated letter of no objection from Gravity Drainage District 2 East and will determine the required road-damage bond amount during engineering review before additional excavation proceeds.