Neighbors object to rezoning request on Hemisphere Lane; commission denies plan to allow manufactured home

Neighbors from Anna Margaret Lane and Hemisphere Farms told the Livingston Parish Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 4 that they opposed a rezoning request for 10075 Hemisphere Lane that would have changed the property from R-2 to R-1, a change residents said could allow placement of a manufactured or mobile home.

“We, the residents of Anna Margaret Lane, respectfully submit this letter in opposition to the rezoning request,” Linda Garifola said during a public hearing, reading a written statement that argued the rezoning would “undermine property values,” set an “irreversible precedent,” and “strain public services.”

Chris Haley, who said he represents the neighborhood’s concerns about mobile-home waivers, told the commission that temporary waivers after the 2016 flood were appropriate at the time but should not set a lasting precedent. A council representative also told commissioners that granting the rezoning and any subsequent waiver could open the door for mobile homes across other R-1 subdivisions.

Planning staff and several commissioners discussed how parish ordinances and subdivision deed restrictions interact. Planning staff advised that R-1 zoning can permit a mobile/manufactured home unless the lot is part of a named subdivision with recorded deed restrictions prohibiting mobile homes. Commissioners and neighbors said Hemisphere Farms has subdivision restrictions on file opposing mobile homes; residents told the commission the subdivision was established in 1968 and contains mostly site-built homes.

Commissioner Danner moved to deny the rezoning request; Commissioner Wax seconded. The commission recorded a roll-call vote and denied the request. Commissioners and staff noted that a denial reflected concerns about neighborhood character and the potential effect on property values. Commissioners also pointed out that if there is no deed restriction on record the parish cannot, by zoning alone, block an owner who otherwise meets ordinance requirements from placing a manufactured unit on an R-1 lot without a named-subdivision restriction.

Neighbors described the area as largely “upscale” with about 25–30 homes along Hemisphere and said the petition opposing the rezoning contained multiple signatures from immediate neighbors. Planning staff and commissioners urged neighbors to pursue deed‑restriction enforcement or HOA remedies where applicable and to provide any recorded restrictions to the planning department.

The commission’s denial preserves the existing zoning classification and leaves any future requests subject to the parish’s standard rezoning and waiver processes.