Crowley aldermen uphold planning commission, deny conditional-use request for Cliff’s Towing office at 715 E. First St.

The Crowley Board of Aldermen voted 7–2 on a motion to uphold the Crowley Planning Commission’s unfavorable recommendation and deny a conditional‑use permit sought by Cliff’s Towing to operate an office and company parking at 715 East First Street.

Brandon Romero, owner of Cliff’s Towing, spoke in favor of the permit and said the request was limited to office use and additional parking. “I’m not moving my business out of town… I’m not asking for rezoning. I’m asking for my home at 715 East First Street, which is zoned R‑1 to remain R‑1, but be granted conditional use as an office for Cliff’s Towing and Recovery,” Romero said. He told the council moving the office across the street would “get the people off of the street and be a safer place for traffic and congestion.”

The application and surrounding neighborhood drew extensive public comment in opposition. Terry Trahan, who said he serves on the city’s Historic District Commission, urged the council to deny the permit and said the existing towing yard was “an eyesore that negatively affects neighbors.” Nancy Broadhurst told aldermen: “I oppose the issuance of a conditional use permit to Cliff’s Towing Service,” and asked officials to “uphold the integrity of historic residential zoning.” Other residents appearing in opposition cited noise, traffic, property‑value concerns and the residential character of the north side of First Street.

Alderman Vernon Martin, speaking during council deliberations, summarized concerns raised by neighbors and council members about compatibility with the R‑1 zone and said the proposed use would “diminish the enjoyment of homes in the area and undermine the intent of the residential zoning district.” “While Mr. Romero’s business needs are valid, the proposed commercial use is incompatible with the residential character of the neighborhood north of First Street,” Martin said. He concluded, “Out of respect for the citizens’ concerns and the intent of the R‑1 single‑family zoning ordinance, I cannot justify support for this request.”

The council then voted to deny the conditional use. The roll call recorded seven votes to deny and two votes against denying the application; the motion carried.

The denial preserves the R‑1 single‑family residential designation for 715 East First Street and upholds the Crowley Planning Commission and the zoning committee recommendation to reject the application. Romero told the council he intended to keep his business in the 700 block of East First Street and requested conditional‑use approval only to locate his office and provide off‑street parking for tow trucks and staff vehicles.

Votes at a glance - Denial of conditional‑use permit for 715 East First Street (Cliff’s Towing): motion to uphold Planning and Zoning Commission’s unfavorable recommendation approved, 7–2 (denial carried). (See actions list below for vote names.)

Background and next steps The zoning committee sent an unfavorable recommendation to the full council after a committee hearing. The council’s vote tonight implements that recommendation; no further action on this application was recorded in the meeting minutes. If the applicant seeks to revisit the matter, any future application would follow the city’s established zoning and conditional‑use review processes.