Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Ordinance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission introduces proposed R-5 zoning change to encourage mixed-use PUDs; debate centers on radius, unit thresholds and enforcement
Summary
Commissioners introduced an ordinance to amend R-5 multifamily zoning to require mixed-use planned unit developments and to limit automatic exemptions within a reduced radius; discussion focused on whether to allow nearby developments to 'piggyback', appropriate distance (one mile vs. quarter mile), unit thresholds and enforcement mechanisms.
The Livingston Parish Planning Commission opened and discussed a proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 117 of the parish code to change how R-5 (multifamily) zoning may be developed.
The ordinance, introduced by commission members, would require higher-density R-5 developments to be part of a mixed-use planned unit development (PUD) that includes commercial uses (retail, restaurants or similar) so that residential density supports nearby businesses and infrastructure. Proponents said the change is intended to encourage planned, mixed-use development rather than isolated apartment clusters that lack nearby services.
Commissioners and planning staff debated several implementation details. Discussion points included: - Whether a new R-5 parcel should be allowed to qualify by proximity to an existing PUD (an exemption the draft originally tied to a one-mile radius); several commissioners said a one-mile radius was too large and proposed reducing it (motion eventually amended to a quarter-mile in the recorded action). - Whether to set a unit threshold (50 units or more) that would automatically trigger PUD requirements and how to prevent developers from building up to the threshold and then delaying commercial components. Commissioners discussed options such as percentage requirements for commercial buildout or phased triggers. - Concerns about "piggybacking," where a new developer would rely on an unrelated PUD a distance away to meet commercial requirements, and potential legal challenges if the rules were applied inconsistently. - The difficulty of requiring expensive commercial buildouts on small parcels (for example, three-acre lots) and how existing nearby commercial amenities should affect the requirement.
Planning staff and several commissioners agreed the concept has merit but needs additional refinement. The commission took a procedural action: members amended a motion to recommend that R-5 remain part of mixed-use PUDs and to change the draft's one-mile exemption to a quarter-mile. That amended recommendation was seconded and approved on a roll-call vote; commissioners asked the introducer to carry forward the comments and to work with staff on revised wording before the ordinance proceeds to council consideration.
Throughout the discussion commissioners and staff repeatedly emphasized the need to refine thresholds, distance measurements and enforcement language before final adoption; the transcript records the amendment to a quarter-mile radius as the commission's formal recommendation in this meeting. The ordinance text and final legal language were left subject to further revision and to review by planning staff and council committees.
