Planning board rezones parcel in Carlos to general commercial for proposed Dollar General

The Calcasieu Parish Planning and Zoning Board on May 20 approved rezoning 122 Highway 108 West in Ward 4 from Agricultural to General Commercial to allow retail and wholesale uses for a proposed Dollar General in Carlos.

Planning staff recommended approval with multiple conditions: adherence to the site plan and exterior elevations submitted March 25, 2025; allowance for the director or designee to make technical adjustments discovered during development; exterior lighting oriented inward so fixtures are not visible to adjacent properties; a six-foot wood privacy fence installed along the west property line prior to final electrical approval; freestanding signs to meet the parish monument sign definition under Section 26-4 of the Parish Code of Ordinances; submission and approval of a landscape plan; a runoff management plan unless a waiver is granted by the Division of Engineering; and that permitting is subject to approval by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

Kirk Fairley, the developer, addressed the board and said, "We're looking to a Dollar General, and I want to thank the staff for the complete report. And I'm here for any questions y'all may have." Board member Jake Porsche commented on the building design, saying he was "pleasantly surprised" by the aesthetic. Board member Art Little asked whether the surface around the building would be hard-surfaced like concrete or asphalt; Fairley responded, "Yes, sir. We do concrete for parking lots, and I've tried to minimize the pavement as much as possible."

Latricia Cobb moved for approval; Janelle Hyatt seconded. With no public opposition recorded, the motion passed by voice vote. The board's approval is conditioned on the staff recommendations and the required permitting from state transportation officials.