Planning commission approves zoning change, multiple minor subdivisions and extensions; residents raise drainage concerns on some items

The St. Tammany Parish Planning & Zoning Commission approved a series of zoning and subdivision items at its September meeting, taking action on a zoning map amendment, multiple minor subdivisions and resubdivisions, a street revocation, a conceptual subdivision (Willow Grove, covered in a separate article) and two requests for time extensions on right-of-way work.

Key outcomes - Item 1 (Zoning change, 4973 Punchy Train Drive, Slidell): The commission approved rezoning from CBF-1 to S-2 to allow construction of a single-family residence. Motion by Commissioner Truxillo; second by Commissioner Robert. Outcome: approved. - Item 2 (Revocation of an unopened portion of Partridge Street, Dove Park Subdivision): The commission approved the revocation subject to resubdivision procedures and removal from a moratorium; staff emphasized Dove Park’s special construction requirements (homes built on piers/columns, two feet above centerline, no import fill). Residents asked detailed questions about drainage history and environmental impacts; staff said a drainage plan will be required at permitting. Motion by Commissioner Truxillo; second by Commissioner Robert. Outcome: approved. - Items 3–11 (various minor subdivisions and resubdivisions across St. Tammany Parish): The commission approved a series of minor subdivisions and resubdivisions (Regaleza Estates, multiple Covington parcels, Pinehurst Farm lot adjustment, Handsome Meadow Farm resubdivision, Live Oak Baptist Church parcel reconfiguration, and others). Several required waivers for lot width or frontage were granted. Motions and seconds were recorded in the meeting and each motion carried. - Item 12 (Willow Grove conceptual plan): Approved with waivers; detailed debate on drainage, emergency access and buffers (see separate article). Motion by Commissioner Daughtry; second by Commissioner Robert. Outcome: approved. - Item 13 (Terrabella final plat and construction plan): The commission approved the final plat and construction plans for a phase of the Terrabella development, with staff conditions to provide utility capacity/capacity letters prior to issuance of work orders. Motion by Commissioner Robert; second by Commissioner Truxillo. Outcome: approved. - Items 14–15 (Old business: two right-of-way extension requests for Sixth Street, Tammany Hills and Atkins/Warren/El Dor avenues): The commission extended each petitioner’s deadline by two years to submit required documentation and complete work; staff and petitioner cited pending state/federal permits or engineering clarifications as cause. Motions carried.

Why it matters: The approved items together adjust parcel boundaries, allow individual residential construction, facilitate institutional expansion and delay certain required street work while permitting staff and petitioners to finalize permits and engineering. Several items drew public comments about stormwater and drainage; staff repeatedly said drainage plans must be submitted and approved at the permitting or engineering stage.

Votes/motions (summary) The meeting used motion/second procedure for each agenda item; most motions were routine approvals. The transcript records motions and seconds by commissioners but does not include detailed roll-call vote tallies in many cases; minutes state "Motion to approve carries." Where available, the mover and seconder are noted above for each item.

Quotations (selected) - Staff (on Dove Park/Special Concern area): "They also have to be built on columns or piers. They're not allowed to bring in fill..." (explaining construction and elevation rules tied to the moratorium/special concern area). - Benjamin Bullins (resident, speaking on Partridge Street revocation): "I'm more concerned with that our subdivision is already in a critical drainage area and is not draining properly… what would be the drainage plan?"

Ending All items on the agenda were resolved in favor of approval or extension as requested. The commission and staff flagged multiple follow-up items — notably engineered drainage/hydrology plans and utility capacity letters — that must be satisfied before construction permits or occupancies will be issued.