The Town of Baton Rouge Zoning Board of Appeals on July 16 approved application 25-104 for property in Deer Park, allowing a rear addition intended to keep living and sleeping space on the first floor for mobility and aging-in-place reasons, conditioned on the applicant resolving open permits on the property.

Architect Andreas Letkowski described the project as an “aging in place” modification to a split-level home that would keep living and sleeping areas on the first floor to reduce stair use. Pamela Ware, the property owner, told the board the change would make daily living easier because she is developing mobility issues and osteoarthritis: “The stairs are a difficulty for me,” she said, and the extra space would “simplify my life from a mobility point of view or safety point of view.”

The chairperson entered a planning division memo (07/10/2025), an environmental control memo (07/16/2025), and a survey and photos into the record. Planning staff noted open permits tied to prior work; the applicant’s architect said the team would follow up with the town to address those permits and supply requested documents.

Board member Montiglio asked whether the applicant planned any future awnings or patios; the applicant said an existing awning would be removed and that she was prepared to remove patio proposals from the application if necessary. On a motion and second, the board approved application 25-104 with the condition that the applicant close outstanding permits and resolve enforcement items before proceeding.

The board instructed the applicant to submit outstanding building documents (including updated CO records) and to coordinate with town staff to finalize permits before obtaining a building permit for construction.