St. Tammany Parish Council approves zoning changes, budget amendments, road transfer and other measures; several appeals concurred

The St. Tammany Parish Council on a regular meeting in September 2025 approved a series of ordinances and resolutions including multiple zoning reclassifications, extensions of localized moratoria, budget and grants amendments and an ordinance authorizing the parish to acquire State Route LA 1129 (also identified as Ali Road) from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

Why it matters: The package of actions moves multiple land-use changes and capital projects forward, adjusts the parish operating and grants budgets for 2025, and places a small state highway under parish maintenance with associated state credits for future projects. Several zoning appeals that came before the council were also resolved, either by concurrence with prior denials or by agreement between appellants and developers.

Most significant actions and outcomes - Appeals: The council voted to concur with the zoning commission denial of an appeal by David Appy (parcel near LA 437); the motion to concur passed unanimously. The appeal filed by Elwin C. and Davina Ordon to rezone property on U.S. Highway 190 in Lacombe was concurred with the commission denial; the motion passed 13 yays and 1 nay. An appeal by Candace Pollan regarding the Maison Du Village subdivision was resolved after the developer agreed not to construct a proposed cut-through road; the council approved the planning commission’s preliminary-subdivision approval subject to the developer removing the cut-through and designating that area as green space—motion passed unanimously.

- Road transfer: Ordinance (c.7933) authorizing the parish to acquire LA 1129 (Ali Road) from the state passed unanimously. Administration and engineering staff explained the parish receives a multi-year maintenance credit under the state road-transfer program that can be applied to projects; staff cautioned transfers that include bridges or heavy infrastructure can be costly.

- Zoning and moratoriums: The council introduced and/or adopted multiple zoning-map amendments (ordinance numbers cited on the record include 7918–7936 and other items listed on the agenda). The council extended several six-month moratoria on submissions and permits for discrete neighborhoods while drainage and related studies continue.

- Budgets and grants: The council adopted operating-budget amendments (2025 amendments noted on the record) and grants-budget amendments (amendment numbers noted on the record). The consent calendar and multiple budget and grant amendments passed with unanimous votes, typically with one member absent as recorded.

- Ambulance agreement: The council authorized a fifth amendment to the ambulance service agreement with Acadian Ambulance under Louisiana Revised Statute 33:4791.1; the motion passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance (selected items recorded in the meeting transcript): - Appeal: David Appy — motion to concur with zoning commission denial; outcome: unanimous. - Appeal: Maison Du Village (Candace Pollan) — developer agreed to remove cut-through; motion to concur with planning commission approval subject to developer revision (remove cut-through and designate green space); mover: Councilman Laughlin; second: Ms. O’Brien; outcome: unanimous. - Appeal: Elwin C. and Davina Ordon — motion to concur with zoning commission denial; outcome: 13 yays, 1 nay. - Ordinances adopted: multiple zoning reclassifications and other ordinances listed (e.g., ordinances in the 7918–7936 sequence on the agenda); outcomes: adopted (recorded as unanimous in transcript unless otherwise noted). - Ordinance 7933 — parish acquisition of LA 1129 (Ali Road); mover: Ms. Tanner; outcome: unanimous. - Ordinance/resolution actions to vacate portions of moratoria or remove items from agenda (council votes recorded as unanimous). - Ambulance agreement (ordinance 7941 on the agenda) — fifth amendment to Acadian Ambulance agreement; outcome: unanimous.

Meeting context and process notes: Votes on the record were overwhelmingly unanimous unless noted. Several items were introduced and some postponed for one month at administration request. The council used a consent calendar to bundle routine items; items pulled from the consent calendar were taken up individually. Several rezoning items required council motions to introduce or adopt maps; multiple items were handled without extended debate. The council also opened and recessed a Board of Review public hearing earlier in the session to hear tax-ad valorem appeals, with an appeals filing deadline noted in announcements.

Ending: The meeting concluded after the council addressed appointments, ordinances and the appeals on the agenda and recessed the Board of Review.