Planning board actions, Jan. 28: variances, rezones and exceptions — outcomes and key conditions

The Calcasieu Parish Planning and Zoning Board met Jan. 28 and took action on variances, sign requests, exceptions and rezoning items. Below are the items considered and outcomes as recorded in the meeting transcript.

• Variance — 616 Josh Street (Ward 1): Applicant requested reduction of a side yard setback from 3 feet to 2 feet 2 inches for an accessory building. Staff recommended approval with conditions: adhere to site plan, Calcasieu Parish building code compliance, installation of a guttering system to contain runoff, and accessory building for personal use only. A neighboring resident, Monica Efemas of 622 Josh Street, said she did not oppose the placement and asked for the personal‑use condition to be enforced. Roll call recorded mostly affirmative votes with one recorded no vote; the board announced the motion passed.

• Sign variance — 6010 East Opelousas Street (Ward 8): Applicant sought to allow two off‑premise signs within 500 feet of an interstate interchange and to exceed the maximum sign height along I‑10 (requested 30 feet 10 inches where 20 feet is allowed). Staff recommended approval with site‑plan adherence. Kathy Garland spoke for the applicant; no opposition was recorded. The board approved the request.

• Exception withdrawn — 402 North Lake Court Drive (Ward 3): The applicant withdrew the request; no action was necessary.

• Exception — 393 Royer Loop (Ward 6): Request to allow a commercial institutional residential home (see separate article). The board denied the exception after public opposition and board discussion (motion failed on roll‑call vote).

• Exception — 5825 Highway 90 East (Ward 3): Applicant Dependable Drain Cleaning & Plumbing Repairs LLC sought to allow an industrial development (wastewater treatment and disposal facility for residential septic). Staff recommended approval with conditions: site‑plan adherence, inward‑oriented exterior lighting and screening per Section 26‑50 of the parish code of ordinances, runoff management plan unless waived, and permitting subject to approval by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. Derek Guidry, the applicant, answered board questions; no opposition was recorded. The board approved the request.

• Rezoning — 131 South Goodman Road (Ward 3): Request to rezone from mixed residential (R‑2) to Light Industrial to allow boat and RV storage. Staff recommended approval with site‑plan, lighting and runoff conditions. Lonnie Thomas and other residents opposed, citing existing outdoor storage on nearby properties and concerns about property values. The board approved the rezoning 6‑4.

• Rezoning — 1124 Dunferry Road (Ward 6): Request to rezone from Agricultural‑1 to Light Industrial to allow a storage yard (mobile‑home moving business). Staff recommended denial but listed conditions should the board approve. Neighbors objected to spot‑zoning and future unknown uses; applicant Norman Simmons emphasized cleanup and limited outdoor storage. The board approved the rezoning by roll call (seven in favor, three opposed).

• Amendment/Ordinance item: Planning and zoning recommended approval of amendments to Chapter 26 of the parish code pertaining to indoor shooting ranges; the police jury subsequently approved the amendment as noted on the agenda.

Many approvals were conditioned on adherence to site plans, orientation of exterior lighting, screening in accordance with Section 26‑50 of the parish code, runoff management plans (or waivers where applicable) and required occupational licensing or state permitting (where noted). Several contested rezoning and exception requests generated extended public comment and board questions about long‑term use, resale risk and neighborhood compatibility.

Roll‑call tallies and recorded votes are drawn directly from the meeting transcript; names and vote positions are reproduced as spoken during the roll calls.