Committee recommends expanding economic corridor about 1 mile north of CN mainline; asks LIGO be consulted

The Livingston Parish Master Plan Review Committee voted June 16 to send a recommendation to the Livingston Parish Planning Commission, the parish council and WSP to expand the parish's economic corridor approximately 1 mile north of the Canadian National main rail line.

Committee member Gerald Burns, who introduced the motion, said he did not expect the expansion to be used for very large residential subdivisions and emphasized the parish's interest in attracting industry. "I don't envision any more 2,000 lot subdivisions in Livingston Parish," Burns said during discussion, arguing the corridor should prioritize land that can serve industry and freight uses rather than widespread housing growth.

Resident John Manges, who addressed the committee during the discussion, praised the corridor concept and urged the parish to pursue industry and related infrastructure. "The map is fantastic ... I 100% wanna see that happen," Manges said, noting potential for medical, distribution and industrial uses that could reduce travel to Baton Rouge for services.

Committee members debated several technical and local concerns before the motion passed. Members raised the presence of Weyerhaeuser and other existing industrial sites north of the railroad and noted that rail access can be a competitive advantage for large employers. Several members urged the committee to consult the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) regarding buffer needs; committee members noted that heavy equipment vibration and truck operations near LIGO can interfere with sensitive instrumentation and should be avoided.

The committee amended the motion to clarify two points before voting: (1) measure the proposed one-mile corridor from the center line of the Canadian National main rail, not side tracks or spurs, and (2) do not include all property owned by the Livingston Economic Development Council (LEDC) as part of an automatic inclusion. After the amendment the committee voted in favor; members voting "yes" included Ralph Burgess, Coley Johnson, Gerald Burns, Travis Thorpe, Bridal Clemons and Julie Dyson Norris.

The approved action is a recommendation (referral) to the planning commission, WSP (the consultant preparing the master plan update), and the parish council; it does not itself rezone property or change code. Committee members asked planning staff to prepare an exhibit for the next meeting showing the proposed boundary and to invite a LIGO representative to explain any technical buffer requirements before the planning commission acts.

Next steps noted at the meeting: planning staff will prepare a map exhibit for committee review, WSP will receive the committee's recommendation for inclusion in the master-plan update, and the planning commission will consider the overlay at its July meeting.