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Planning & Zoning commission backs rezoning at 8158 Highway 1 Bypass for animal shelter
Summary
The Natchitoches Planning & Zoning Commission recommended rezoning a 6.3-acre parcel at 8158 Highway 1 Bypass from R-1 to B-3 so Friends All United for Natchitoches Animals can build an animal shelter; commission approval will be transmitted to the City Council for ordinance action.
The Natchitoches Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend rezoning a 6.3-acre parcel at 8158 Highway 1 Bypass from R-1 (residential) to B-3 (commercial) so Friends All United for Natchitoches Animals can build and operate an animal shelter.
The rezoning is necessary because, as the director told the commission, "to build and operate an animal shelter, that's not a use by right in R 1. So we're recommending that the property be rezoned to B 3." The commission approved the recommendation by voice vote; no opposition was recorded during the meeting.
The applicant, Shirley Walker, identified herself as "the chairman of the shelter committee for Fauna for Friends All United for Natchitoches Animals" and confirmed the director's description as correct. Walker told the commission the organization is a 501(c)(3) and said the facility is intended to serve both the parish and the city. She said the shelter will begin with dogs and cats and that future plans could include larger animals but "we are not planning to begin with large animals." Walker also said the group has been meeting with Mayor Williams and the police jury and hopes to enter a cooperative endeavor to house animals at the city's current shelter in the future.
Commissioners heard no public opposition. Commissioner Claver moved to approve the rezoning recommendation; a second was recorded and the motion carried. The director reminded applicants that rezoning of the master zoning map must be enacted by ordinance and that the commission's action will be introduced to the City Council on the 10th for further consideration.
The commission's action is a recommendation to the City Council, not final zoning adoption. The director also reviewed process details for other types of items: plats and lot-line reallocations are final at the local level 10 business days after the commission's action unless an aggrieved party files an appeal with the city clerk (docketing within 45 days). The applicant will need to follow standard post-approval steps, including obtaining the final ordinance from the council and any required permits before construction begins.
