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Committee advances zoning map overhaul and sends moratorium extension to full council amid disputes over timeline
Summary
Committee introduced ordinance to rescind and reenact chapter 117 and adopt parish zoning maps, discussed interim vs. final zoning and debated a proposed 12‑month moratorium extension; committee voted to forward the moratorium extension to the full council with recorded committee 'Yes' votes and scheduled the item for the next council meeting.
The Livingston Parish ordinance committee considered a package to rescind and reenact chapter 117 to adopt new parish zoning maps and discussed a companion ordinance to extend a moratorium on subdivision submittals with improvements.
Jerome Fournier of JPF Planning told the committee the zoning ordinance introduction has been published and that the zoning commission will take up recommendations at its January meeting; any changes recommended by the zoning commission are nonbinding and final action rests with the parish council. Fournier said published materials cannot be altered except through the council process and agreed to provide specific publication and hearing dates to council members.
Public commenters, notably Ralph Burgess, said the proposed maps create a large number of nonconforming lots and remove intermediate designations such as "R1.5," which could prevent routine family partitions or make refinancing harder for large‑lot owners. Burgess urged transitional zoning between dense and rural areas and asked the parish to preserve options for property owners who want to divide land for family use.
Councilors debated a separate ordinance (24‑02) to extend a moratorium on subdivision submittals for either 12 months or until adoption of updated zoning. Critics warned a full 12‑month moratorium could invite legal challenges if extended repeatedly; supporters said the 12‑month language functions as a safety net and the ordinance contains an exit tied to adoption of updated zoning or interim zoning adoption. One councilor noted WSP’s projected schedule: interim zoning aimed for January and final zoning projected for May–June, which some members said argues for a shorter extension or clearer exit criteria.
After discussion, a councilor moved and another seconded to forward the moratorium extension ordinance to the full council; the committee voted and the clerk recorded affirmative responses from Coats, Sandifer, Shavers and Taylor. The chair said the item will be pushed to the next council meeting for full consideration.
The committee did not vote on the broader zoning ordinance package at the meeting. Fournier and staff said they would supply precise publication dates, a process summary and any constituent‑submitted change requests to council members before subsequent meetings.
