St. Charles Planning and Zoning presents 2024 work highlights, coastal gains and post-Ida recovery

Mister Albert, director of the St. Charles Parish Department of Planning and Zoning, presented the department’s 2024 annual report at the May 19 council meeting, outlining staffing, permitting and major project activity.

Albert told the council the department operates four primary workflows—land use planning, coastal zone and floodplain management, code enforcement and permitting—and that 2024 included several notable accomplishments. Staff added two certified floodplain managers in 2024, bringing the department’s total to three (four parishwide), he said. The department also helped draft and adopt the Highway 90 corridor overlay zone and worked on the parish coastal strategy document.

Albert said the department successfully closed out remaining Hurricane Ida temporary housing issues tied to permitting and code enforcement. He also reported an increase in new commercial permitting tied to large industrial projects across the parish and said major subdivision activity continued, noting Riverplace Phase 2 in Hahnville was dedicated in 2024.

On coastal work, Albert highlighted two projects: the parish’s annual Christmas tree recycling program (used for shoreline rebuilding) and the La Branch Wetlands creation project, which he said has generated roughly 1,500 acres of new marsh and remains ongoing. He said five significant development projects were under construction review and multiple major subdivision applications were in process.

Albert credited cross-department coordination—particularly with public works—on drainage and traffic controls during construction review. He also noted code enforcement complaints were down and grass-case resolutions indicated proactive inspections.

Council members did not ask follow-up policy actions during the presentation; Albert thanked staff and partners for their work and said the department will continue to focus on permitting and coastal management tasks into 2025.