Planning commission denies rezoning request for Florida Boulevard parcel

The Livingston Parish zoning commission on Aug. 7 denied an application to rezone 14378 Florida Boulevard from C-1 (commercial) to R-2 (higher-density residential). The substitute motion to deny passed on a 6-1 vote. The property owner sought R-2 to permit construction of houses, but nearby residents and commissioners raised concerns about drainage, sewer capacity and whether the parish's proposed future land-use map supports the change. Raymond Mullins, representing the applicant, said the owner “would like to build houses there” after the parcel had been used commercially. Derek Gardner, a neighbor, said he and other residents were “really not too keen on the R-2” and presented a petition signed by about 40 neighbors expressing concern about drainage and sewer impacts. Commission discussion emphasized that the current adopted maps show the area as commercial but that a proposed future land-use map — which some commissioners said they had not yet received — characterizes the area as rural estates and “discourages high dense development.” Commissioner Ryan Shavers (identified in public comment) told the commission the proposed map would likely be adopted soon and cautioned members to consider it. Commissioners noted that a future land-use map is advisory and does not automatically change existing zoning; the commission must act on the current zoning application before them. A substitute motion to deny the rezoning passed with these votes: Commissioner Engler yes; Commissioner Clemens yes; Commissioner Wax yes; Commissioner Dana yes; Commissioner Burns no; Commissioner Farris yes; Commissioner Long yes. The commission’s vote is a recommendation that will go to the parish council for final action. The commission did not take formal action to change the parcel’s current commercial status; the denial keeps the existing C-1 zoning in place. The transcript shows neighbors raised drainage, sewer and access concerns during the public hearing, and commissioners asked staff for clarifications about adopted and proposed land-use maps before making their recommendation.