Local homeowner’s request to rezone 23.4-acre tract to R-1 wins planning commission recommendation

The Livingston Parish Planning Commission recommended that the parish council approve a request to rezone about 21.4–23.5 acres at 8560 Bob West Lane (case 25-17) from agriculture to R-1, following public testimony from the property owner and a brief discussion by commissioners.

Why it matters: The applicant, longtime resident Robert ("Bob") West, told the commission he wants to reserve roughly one-acre lots for family members on his 23.5-acre tract. He said current agricultural zoning requires larger minimum acreage for some transfers and that a change to R-1 would let him provide a one‑acre parcel to a grandson. The commission’s favorable recommendation moves the matter to the parish council for final action.

What speakers said: Robert West identified himself as the property owner, told commissioners he has lived on the tract for 55 years and asked the commission to rezone the property to allow one‑acre parcels for family use. "I have 23 and a half acres on this property... I want to give my grandson one acre behind my house to build a house on," West said.

Planning staff confirmed a complete application and noted that the requested R-1 classification aligns with nearby residential lot sizes; commissioners who inspected the site said the proposed R-1 designation is consistent with surrounding development.

Commission action: The commission voted to recommend approval and forward the rezoning to the parish council. The recommendation was unanimous in the meeting record; the council will make the final decision.

Next steps: The matter will be scheduled for a council public hearing; if the council approves the rezoning, subsequent platting and any required utilities and drainage work would be reviewed through the planning process.