Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Residential Home Exception topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning board rejects proposal for residential home at 393 Royer Loop after neighbor opposition
Summary
Calcasieu Parish Planning and Zoning Board denied an exception to allow a residential group home at 393 Royer Loop following public objections about neighborhood impacts and concerns over future uses; the applicant said the home would accept low‑risk children and house up to three residents initially.
The Calcasieu Parish Planning and Zoning Board voted 8-2 on Jan. 28 to deny an exception that would have allowed a residential institution at 393 Royer Loop, a proposal to operate a small group home for children under Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) licensing.
The board’s vote came after neighbors and nearby residents urged the board to preserve the area’s residential character and raised concerns about public safety and property values. The applicant, who identified himself as Joseph Handy, told the board the operation would accept low-risk children and initially house three residents with 24-hour staff coverage.
The proposal drew the most public comment of the evening. Nathan Spencer, who lives two doors down from the site, said he delivered a petition opposing the project with 44 signatures and told the board, “I have nieces and nephews that are there ... I would like not to have to keep my eyes on all the time.” Bridget Guidry, who lives next door at 397 Royer Loop, said she and other neighbors “really want it to stay safe and quiet” and voiced similar concerns about children and the potential for problems.
Applicant Joseph Handy, the property owner, answered detailed questions from board members about staffing, ages and admission criteria. Handy said the home would serve mostly local placements and “we're more on the side of accepting kids on the low risk side.” He told the board the facility would be staffed around the clock, that he planned to keep the operation small and that licensing requirements and a behavioral management plan would be completed as part of DCFS approval.
Staff recommended approval conditioned on adherence to residential home standards, licensing by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, and compliance with the division of planning and development site plan requirements. Several board members pressed staff and the applicant about long-term controls: how many residents the site could ultimately house, whether future owners could change operations, and how the use would affect traffic and nearby properties.
After questions and public testimony, the roll-call result recorded eight votes against and two votes in favor; the board announced the motion failed.
The board’s denial concludes the matter at the Planning and Zoning level. Any future proposal for the site would require a new application or a different approach that addresses the concerns raised by neighbors and the board.
Votes at a glance for the item: the motion to grant the exception failed (motion recorded as made by Miss Cobb and seconded by Miss Whiney).
