Livingston Parish Council extends development moratorium to April 30 as zoning work continues

The Livingston Parish Council voted unanimously on Dec. 19 to extend the parishwide moratorium on preliminary subdivision and certain multifamily development applications, adopting proposed Ordinance 24‑38 to extend the moratorium until April 30, 2025, or until updated zoning and the unified land‑development code are adopted, whichever occurs first.

The extension followed extended debate among council members, planning consultants and members of the public about timing and legal risk. Jerome Fournier of JPF Planning Consultants said staff expect to have an interim ordinance and schedule set, with an intent to have the interim ordinance approved by the end of January and a zoning ordinance ready to adopt by Feb. 27; he also announced two additional public meetings on Jan. 14 (Springfield High School) and Jan. 15 (Levi Milton Elementary).

Developers and builders pushed back on a long extension. Scott Kirkpatrick of the Home Builders Association of Greater Baton Rouge said a prolonged moratorium has real economic consequences: “Whatever y’all decide on tonight, we’d love to meet to understand exactly what the heartburn is,” he said, adding that uncertainty affects contractors and decisions on ongoing projects. Several council members said they wanted a short, defensible extension to avoid protracted legal exposure while allowing staff to finish a “bulletproof” zoning ordinance.

John Mangus moved the motion to extend the moratorium for up to three months to the last day of April; Lonnie Watts seconded. The council recorded a unanimous roll‑call vote in favor. Council and planning staff agreed to continue regular public outreach and to return with drafts and timelines for final Unified Land Development Code elements.