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Council extends several six‑month moratoriums on higher‑density residential approvals
Summary
The Parish Council unanimously extended multiple six‑month moratoriums on rezonings, subdivisions and multifamily permits in several council districts, citing infrastructure and drainage concerns and efforts to preserve single‑family neighborhoods.
St. Tammany Parish Council members voted Jan. 9 to extend a series of six‑month moratoriums that restrict new high‑density residential rezoning, subdivision approvals and multifamily building permits in several council districts.
Councilman David Coogel moved to extend a six‑month moratorium for Council District 9 to pause new rezonings, subdivision submissions and permits that would allow higher residential density. Coogel said the extension was needed because infrastructure — especially drainage — has not kept pace with recent higher‑density development in parts of his district. The motion passed unanimously with one member absent.
Councilman Arthur Laughlin moved, and Councilman David Bender seconded, to extend a separate six‑month moratorium covering parts of Council Districts 7 and 11 (areas above Interstate 12 and below Highway 36). The ordinance text restricts submissions that would increase residential density, create planned unit developments (PUDs) or permit multifamily structures in certain zoning districts. Laughlin’s motion passed unanimously with one absence.
Councilman David Bender sought and won a six‑month extension for Council District 12 to preserve single‑family residential character in that district. Bender told colleagues the measure aims to maintain the integrity of single‑family areas where the council has seen an “inordinate amount of apartments.” The motion carried unanimously with one member absent.
Why it matters: The moratoriums temporarily halt applications that could increase local residential density while the parish reviews infrastructure capacity, drainage needs and policy changes. Extensions give planning staff and council members time to negotiate zoning rules and possible targeted changes.
What the ordinances do: The moratorium language (as read into the record) covers a range of items: rezonings that would increase allowable density, planned unit developments (PUDs), traditional neighborhood developments (TNDs), multifamily structures, and single‑family or lodging uses that would increase residential density in certain commercial or planned business zoning districts. The council did not lift any existing permits; it extended the temporary pause on new submissions and applications in the enumerated categories.
Speakers quoted in this story spoke during the moratorium introductions and votes at the Jan. 9 St. Tammany Parish Council meeting.
