Livingston Parish committee reviews master plan progress as state capital outlay targets roads, drainage and airport projects

The Livingston Parish Master Plan Review Committee met Dec. 1 to review implementation steps for the parish’s adopted master plan and to walk through state capital outlay funding that could shape local road, drainage and facility projects.

Committee members said the master plan’s final copy was presented to and approved by the planning commission and then adopted by the parish council; work remains on the unified land development code and in-progress drainage and traffic master plans. "The final copy was presented and approved by the planning commission, and it went to the council who adopted it," one committee member said.

Members discussed public hearings on the drainage master plan and raised concerns about local flooding tied to a barrier described in the meeting. One participant said public exhibits "didn't take into consideration the master plan of the wall causing the flooding," and reported photos showing water breaching a wall at an interchange. Committee members noted that the drainage public hearings were underway and that additional outreach and explained materials could be needed.

The committee also described a terminology change in the land-use materials: the phrase "economic corridor" has been dropped and the area is now referred to as a "commercial corridor," which removes hard overlay lines and instead relies on broader zoning language. A committee member said the change "gives us more leeway, and at the same time, gives us less to defend" when contesting uses outside a strict corridor.

A large portion of the meeting focused on state funding identified in the capital outlay bill (referred to in discussion as House Bill 2). Committee members summarized priority categories: priority 1 and 2 items are described as guaranteed funding, while priority 5 items are treated as a wish list or the additional money it would take to finish a project but not guaranteed. The presenter offered to circulate the 162-page bill to members for review.

Key projects discussed that could affect the parish include the Hooper Road extension (a bridge and connector that would tie into LA 1019 near Watson), planned roundabouts (for LA 447/Walker North/LA 1025 and other intersections), and widening of Highway 447. Members debated who would use the Hooper connector, how it would change travel patterns to I-110, and whether it would encourage development on parcel(s) discussed as "Patriot's Point." One member urged the planning commission to review proposals for that parcel closely and to communicate parish preferences to developers.

Speakers also reviewed other priority items: the LA 22 "gapping" project (a multi-parish item), the Juvan (Jubin) Road North extension (design and right-of-way needs), Brook Road roundabout work, and Demco Road improvements where part of construction may be funded through a TIF district. The committee heard planning-only funds for the Comite River Diversion and Amite River Basin studies, with members noting prior Corps of Engineers dredging work and debating local benefits.

On funding totals, a presenter reported roughly $23.2 million in priority 1/2 allocations attributed to Livingston Parish projects and about $157 million listed in priority 5 wish-list items. He reiterated that priority 1/2 is the state-allocated, guaranteed portion, and priority 5 represents additional funding needs that are not guaranteed. "Priority 1 and 2 is guaranteed funding," he said.

Other items noted in the bill include funds for a Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office training center, an allocation to the Livingston Parish Airport District, and a proposed Live Oak High School pavilion in the priority-5 list. Committee members asked for follow-up materials and maps; one member said he would bring plan maps for Demco Road to the next meeting.

The committee did not take formal votes on projects or funding allocations at this meeting; members agreed to forward items as appropriate to the planning commission for review and to continue monitoring state funding developments. The committee also flagged House Bill 460 (the local allocations "pork" bill) as an item they would summarize for members.

The meeting closed with reminders about January officer voting and upcoming agenda items; members adjourned following a motion and second.

Next steps: committee members said they will circulate the capital outlay bill pages, bring Demco Road plans to the next meeting, and coordinate communication with developers about the Hooper Road routing and potential impacts on identified parcels.