Council adopts ordinance removing Live Oak Acres from automatic mobile‑home waiver list after resident pleas

The Livingston Parish Council voted unanimously on June 26 to adopt ordinance 25‑11, which amends and reenacts Livingston Parish ordinance 18‑17 (chapter 125, planning and development, section 125‑137) to remove Live Oak Acres from the list of subdivisions that may be granted automatic waivers allowing mobile homes.

Residents of Live Oak Acres spoke at a public hearing in favor of the change. Jennifer Lovett, who gave her address as 8804 Wesley Street, said the neighborhood had taken the steps asked of it and sought to prevent future mobile homes from being placed in the subdivision. “We are here as a majority of our subdivision,” Lovett said, “We have done everything that has been asked of us…please vote.” Another resident described long‑standing confusion about how the parish handled historical waiver designations and urged clarity.

Parish attorney Irving explained the historical background: when the development code was adopted some subdivisions that already contained mobile homes were listed as eligible for waivers, but the waiver list and related procedures have ambiguities and “loopholes.” Irving told the council that subdivision covenants — private restrictions adopted by homeowners — are not enforced by the parish, but that if subdivision restrictions explicitly prohibit mobile homes those covenants would be considered in any waiver request. “If they have amended their subdivision restrictions so that mobile homes are prohibited…those subdivision restrictions…would mean that if it came to plan…somebody requests for a waiver…the subdivision restrictions would prohibit them and that should be the end of it,” Irving said.

Councilwoman Sandifer moved to adopt the ordinance; Councilman Boscomb seconded. After the public hearing the council voted and the ordinance passed unanimously. Supporters said the move will ensure Live Oak Acres is not treated as eligible for automatic waivers that would permit mobile homes without an individual waiver process.

Ending: The council’s action removes Live Oak Acres from the parish’s waiver list; staff and the parish attorney said they will work to clean up and clarify the waiver procedures and related code language to avoid similar confusion in other subdivisions.