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Calcasieu Parish planning board approves variances, borrow-pit requests and a rezoning; all motions pass
Summary
The Calcasieu Parish Planning and Zoning Board approved minutes and a series of land-use requests — including a setback variance for an accessory building, two borrow-pit exceptions (one an extension) and a rezoning to light industrial — all on unanimous voice votes; the rezoning will go before the police jury on Sept. 18, 2025.
The Calcasieu Parish Planning and Zoning Board on Aug. 25 approved a slate of land-use items after staff presentations and brief consideration.
The board voted to approve minutes from its Aug. 19 meeting and then considered a variance at 5706 Spruce Street in Ward 3 that would allow an existing accessory building to sit 1 foot from the side property line instead of the required 3 feet. Unidentified planning staff told the board that "because minimal impacts are to be expected, the staff recommends the request be granted with the following conditions," including adherence to the site plan on file, a permit obtained within five days of zoning approval, installation of guttering within 30 days and containment of all runoff on the applicant's property. With no public opposition recorded, the board approved the variance.
On the 1300 block of Helms Road (Ward 5), the board approved an exception (EX08250010) to allow an approximately 18-acre borrow pit and to decrease the east side-yard setback from 50 feet to 0. Planning staff said the applicant intends to sell the property to a purchaser identified in the record as "Mister Duhan" and to connect the requested pit to an adjoining, previously approved borrow pit. Staff recommended conditions including conformity with specific provisions of the parish code (section 26-1221(h)(4)(x–xii)), completion of excavation within 10 years per the borrow-pit application, a required letter of no objection from Consolidated Gravity Drainage District Number 2 (Calcasieu East) before a development permit, and a runoff management plan or approved waiver. The board approved the exception by voice vote.
The board next approved a 10-year extension for an existing 104-acre borrow pit on the 2300 block of Veil Way (Northeast Sulphur), filed by Kraus and Mannegan Lumber Company, LLC (EX-0825-0011). Planning staff noted the original approval was granted in 2013 for 10 years and recommended approval of the extension with conditions that include adherence to the site plan, conformance with parish code provisions, and the possible requirement of a road-damage bond prior to permit issuance. No opposition was recorded and the motion passed.
Finally, the board recommended approval of a rezoning request (RZ-0825-0005) for a 5.51-acre tract on the 2300 block of Mossville Way in Ward 4, to change the designation from Agricultural (A-1) to Light Industrial. The applicant, Kraus and Mannegan Lumber Company, LLC, proposes to construct three 60-by-335-foot warehouse buildings with no outside storage; planning staff recommended approval subject to conditions including inward-oriented exterior lighting, a required runoff management plan or an approved waiver, and permitting subject to approvals from the Louisiana Department of Health and Sanitation or Sewer District Number 8 of Ward 4. The board's recommendation passed by voice vote; the rezoning will go before the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, according to the board.
The board concluded by announcing the next regular meeting is set for Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, and then adjourned.
Actions recorded at the meeting included approval of minutes, one variance (5706 Spruce Street), two exceptions for borrow pits (Helms Road and Veil Way), a 10-year extension for an existing borrow pit, and a recommendation of rezoning for Mossville Way; all motions on the agenda were approved by voice vote.
