Planning board approves rezoning at 1124 Dunferry Road over staff objections

The Calcasieu Parish Planning and Zoning Board voted to rezone 1124 Dunferry Road from Agricultural-1 to Light Industrial on Jan. 28, approving a storage yard for a mobile-home moving business despite staff recommendation against the change.

Planning staff recommended denial, saying the proposed zoning was not consistent with the area's character. Staff advised that if the board granted the request it should impose conditions: adherence to the site plan, inward-directed exterior lighting, a six-foot wood privacy fence along three property lines within 60 days of approval, a runoff management plan unless waived, and an occupational license within five days of zoning approval.

Applicant Norman Simmons, who told the board he had invested in cleaning and improving the roughly four-acre site, said the property has been cleaned since prior uses and that most equipment would be stored inside a shop. He said some mobile-home hitches and utility trailers would be kept behind the building and that his trucks are parked at another location. Resident Rodney Johnson and others told the board they believed industrial zoning would open the parcel to a broader range of commercial uses and noted concerns about infrastructure and compatibility with surrounding residences.

During discussion board members raised spot‑zoning concerns and asked staff how the rezoning might affect future buyers and activities. The board weighed the applicant’s conduct in cleaning the lot and the potential for future uses if industrial zoning were granted.

Roll-call voting as recorded in the meeting transcript produced seven votes in favor and three votes opposed; the board announced the motion passed.

Conditions recommended by staff are likely to be attached to any development permit issued by the division of planning and development; permitting and site work remain subject to parish ordinances and to any required runoff management or occupational licensing.