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Planning board approves exception for reception facility on Marketelle Road with conditions; resident voices zoning concern
Summary
The board approved an exception to allow a reception and events venue on a 10-acre tract in the 1000 block of Marketelle Road, north of Sulphur, subject to site-plan, drainage and state sanitation approvals.
The Calcasieu Parish Planning and Zoning Board on Feb. 18 approved an exception to allow a reception facility and events venue on a 10-acre tract in the 1000 block of Marketelle Road north of Sulphur. The applicant is Vision Industrial Services LLC.
Planning staff presented the request and recommended approval with conditions: adhere to the site plan on file with the Division of Planning and Development (the director or designee may authorize technical adjustments), orient exterior lighting inward so fixtures are not visible to adjacent properties, submit a letter of no objection from Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 1 West before issuance of a development permit, provide a runoff-management plan unless a waiver is granted by the division of engineering, and secure approvals required by the Louisiana Department of Health and Sanitation.
Glenn, representing the applicant and identifying himself as an architect, told the board the owners planned "a wedding reception venue out in a just a beautiful setting" and that the parcel sits well away from adjacent neighbors. A resident, Cassandra Adams of 266 Mark and Taylor Road, opposed the request in public comment and asked whether granting the exception would effectively commercialize the area and allow future commercial uses such as a man camp. Planning staff, represented in the discussion by Mister Crane, replied: "We're not rezoning the property commercially. ... The underlying zone doesn't change. ... In order to establish an event venue like this, it requires a zoning exception." Crane explained that a man camp or other commercial uses would require rezoning and separate review by this board and the police jury.
After public comment the board held a roll-call vote. Miss Galicia moved approval; Miss Hyatt seconded. The roll call produced 10 yes votes and the chair announced the motion passed.
Staff noted the tract includes a 5-acre pond within the approximately 10-acre parcel; the pond is part of the proposed site plan. The approval is subject to the listed conditions and any permits required by parish or state agencies.
