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Council approves multiple rezones; developers, residents debate industrial expansion on James Chapel Road
Summary
The council approved multiple zoning changes recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission, including rezones on James Chapel Road where applicants and residents debated whether an industrial expansion would affect surrounding residential areas.
The Livingston Parish Council approved a slate of zoning requests that had received favorable recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission, and heard extended discussion and public comment about a proposed industrial expansion on James Chapel Road.
Scooter King from the planning office and zoning staff presented the items brought forward after Planning and Zoning action. One notable case involved two parcels on James Chapel Road (Case 2505-28881 and related parcels) where property owners sought rezoning from agricultural or residential classifications to C1 (commercial) to accommodate expansion of an existing industrial business. Craig Corey, the project's engineer with Monroe & Corey, said the owner plans to build an additional building similar to adjacent structures and to offer remaining acreage for industrial users. "He is gonna build another building similar to ones he has across the street," Corey said, and added that portions of the property are intended to be marketed for industrial use.
Council members and residents pressed for detail because the parcels are surrounded by residential neighborhoods. Resident Jeremy Glasscock spoke during public comment and described the company’s current activity as a repair facility for large industrial air compressors, rather than heavy manufacturing. "They're not smelting iron and making anything in there," Glasscock said, describing it as a repair facility and service operation.
Parish President Randy Latt said the discussions were subject to confidentiality in parts, but described potential industrial uses as manufacturing or valve businesses without smoke stacks; he said the owner had been developing the site for about a year and that further specifics could be provided when available. Council members said future site designs and uses would be subject to Planning and Zoning review and applicable development requirements.
The council approved the James Chapel rezoning and several other rezoning items across the parish, including multiple requests to change residential classifications and agricultural-to-commercial requests. Some items drew little debate and passed unanimously; others prompted conditions from staff — for example, several approvals were contingent on a recorded resubdivision prior to final approval. Public comment on zoning items emphasized concerns about infrastructure, traffic and appropriate transitions between industrial and residential areas.
