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Committee backs concept‑plan requirement for some rezones; asks staff for draft ordinance and examples
Summary
The committee discussed a proposal to require concept plans for certain rezoning requests so the Planning & Zoning Commission and council can review likely impacts in advance. Members asked staff to prepare a draft ordinance and bring exemplars from comparable jurisdictions.
The ordinance committee discussed on July 15 a proposed requirement that applicants seeking rezoning provide a concept plan describing the proposed development when the change could significantly affect land use or public infrastructure.
Committee members said the requirement would “front‑load” information for the Planning & Zoning Commission and the council so reviewers can make more informed recommendations and decisions. Marty Maley and planning staff described drafting options: require concept plans for rezones that change from agricultural to residential or from lower‑ to higher‑density categories, or limit the requirement to rezones above a minimum acreage or unit threshold.
Several members suggested the requirement should not apply to every minor rezoning (the “onesie‑twosie” cases) and recommended identifying which category changes would trigger a concept plan. Members also asked staff to review example ordinances from Youngsville and St. Tammany parishes and to prepare a draft that indicates the zoning classifications for which concept plans would be required.
Action: Committee asked staff to prepare a draft ordinance with specific triggers (for example, certain acreage or category changes) and to provide exemplar concept plans from other parishes. The committee did not adopt new rules at the meeting.
