Commission recommends residential rezoning for Catalano property on Highway 621 despite neighbors' traffic worries

The Ascension Parish Zoning Commission on Dec. 10 voted to recommend that the parish council rezone approximately 9.6 acres on Louisiana Highway 621 from Rural to Medium Intensity Residential (RM), correcting an existing split zoning on the parcel.

Benny Johnson, representing the Catalano family, said the rezoning seeks to "clean up a zone split" that was created previously by court decree and to establish a third lot with expanded setbacks. Multiple nearby residents opposed or questioned the request at the public hearing. Nolan and Amelia Babin described heavy traffic and difficulty accessing driveways on Highway 621; Amelia said the road and bridge conditions make the location dangerous. "It's a very, very dangerous place," she said.

David Chauvin, an adjacent property owner, asked how rezoning differs from a subdivision and raised concerns about potential increases in property taxes and insurance. Chauvin recounted a recent traffic incident: "Two weeks ago, my son got run over by a car on Highway 621," he said, describing the dangers of no sidewalks, no lighting and high speeds.

Lance Brock recommended approval of the RM designation based on existing split zoning and the parish vision map showing residential use. Commissioners said infrastructure and subdivision requirements would be addressed at later stages if development is proposed. A motion to recommend approval to the parish council passed 6–1, with one commissioner recorded as voting no.

The recommendation will be forwarded to the Ascension Parish Council; commissioners noted that specific subdivision or development proposals would be subject to future traffic and safety reviews.