Natchitoches planning commission approves two special-exception rezonings for short-term rentals

The Natchitoches Planning & Zoning Commission approved two applications to rezone residential properties with special exceptions to allow short-term rentals during its meeting. The commission approved the application for 720 Saint Maurice Lane (Harvey Landrum Subdivision) presented by Julie Houle and approved an amended application for 2014 Nollie Street (Nollie Street townhomes) presented by Glenn and Sheree Moffett.

The actions matter because both approvals clear procedural steps at the commission level and will be introduced to the City Council for formal consideration; the meeting record notes those introduction and hearing dates on the council agenda. Neighbors raised parking and traffic concerns during the hearing on the Nollie Street application, and applicants pledged to manage parking and guest behavior if the special exceptions receive final approval.

At the start of the meeting the planning office noted there will be two rezoning applications introduced to the City Council on Oct. 13 and that final voting by the council is scheduled for Oct. 27, 2025. The commission followed its usual public-comment sequence: proponents first, then the applicant or designee, then opponents, a brief rebuttal by the applicant (if requested), discussion by commission members and a vote.

Application: 720 Saint Maurice Lane (Harvey Landrum Subdivision). Applicant Julie Houle told the commission the request was “pretty straightforward. We just like to do a short term rental.” No written opposition was reported to the planning office, and commissioners asked only clarifying questions. A motion to approve passed without recorded roll-call votes in the transcript. The chair told the applicant the matter will be introduced to the City Council on Oct. 13 and that a public hearing and final vote are scheduled for Oct. 27, 2025.

Application: 2014 Nollie Street (Nollie Street townhomes). The planning director and commissioners clarified that the property is in an R-1.5 zone and that the application should be amended to request an R-1.5 special exception to operate a short-term rental. The commission voted to amend the application procedurally and then heard from applicant Sheree Moffett and a nearby resident, Jeff Legicovi (1913 Nollie), who raised concerns about on-street parking, vehicle turnarounds in the cul-de-sac and the potential for increased weekend visitors.

The planning director read the short-term rental definition from Ordinance No. 26 of 2024 into the record: a short-term rental is “a residential dwelling unit for the purposes of overnight lodging for less than 30 consecutive days in one calendar month.” Moffett told commissioners she had spoken with the nearest owner-occupant neighbor and provided a phone number for follow-up; she said the property has a double garage plus space for two vehicles and that she and her family will personally manage and screen renters and not allow large parties.

Commission discussion noted that parking requirements in the ordinance call for two spaces per unit and that enforcement of nuisance or ordinance violations rests with the city’s enforcement and police functions, not the planning office. After discussion, the commission voted to approve the amended R-1.5 special-exception application for 2014 Nollie Street; the chair again reminded the applicants that the item will be introduced to City Council on Oct. 13 and is scheduled for a public hearing and final vote on Oct. 27, 2025.

Votes at a glance — 720 Saint Maurice Lane: motion to approve rezoning to R-1 special exception to operate a short-term rental (municipal address 720 Saint Maurice Lane) — motion passed (mover not specified in the transcript; the motion was seconded on the record). 2014 Nollie Street: motion to amend application to R-1.5 special exception (procedural amendment) and motion to approve the amended application to operate a short-term rental (municipal address 2014 Nollie Street) — both motions passed (movers/seconders not clearly identified by name in the transcript). No roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the audible transcript excerpt.

The commission’s director also said a revised draft tiny-home ordinance would be circulated to commissioners the following morning and asked for feedback; the commission adjourned to meet again on Nov. 4.