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Council adopts mixed-use zoning changes with added parking-study requirement
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 25-04 to allow mixed-use buildings in the central commercial zone, adding architectural definitions, street-front commercial requirements and shared-guest-parking rules; council required a professional-engineer parking study for shared parking approvals.
The Morgan City Council voted unanimously March 25 to adopt Ordinance 25-04, which amends the municipal zoning code to allow mixed-use buildings (commercial on the ground floor with residential or other uses above) in the central commercial (CC) zone and to add related design and parking provisions.
City planner Jake reviewed the amendments, which include: definitions for "architectural metal," "building stepback," and "mixed-use building"; a 40% minimum storefront glazing requirement on ground-floor commercial façades; a requirement that the main entrance be covered; allowance for zero front setbacks where appropriate; and standards for shared guest parking. The ordinance limits multifamily residential to locations behind commercial or mixed-use buildings and preserves street-front commercial uses.
A central and contested element was shared guest parking. The ordinance allows City engineering and planning to approve shared guest parking to satisfy guest-parking requirements if the applicant submits a parking study demonstrating the arrangement will work. Councilmember Steve (moved by Dave) proposed — and the council accepted as an amendment — language requiring the parking study be prepared by a professional engineer. Councilmembers and staff discussed concerns about enforcement, comparisons to other developments (including Mahogany), and the operational difference between historic downtown street parking and suburban developments.
Councilmember Dave moved adoption of Ordinance 25-04 as amended (adding "professional engineer" before "parking study" in section 10.3070.1.5); Tony seconded. The council voted verbally in favor and recorded unanimous approval.
Jake and other councilmembers said the change was intended as a cautious, limited step: the mixed-use allowance applies only in the CC zone, where there is limited commercial land and the goal is to encourage street-front activation while adding housing. Staff will monitor effects and return with follow-up if needed.
