The Planning Commission voted to deny a request by Leon and Regina Pitts to apply the rural-overlay (RO) to a 5.1-acre property on Strandor Road, after an extended public comment period in which neighbors alleged unpermitted land alteration and ongoing drainage harms.

Neighbor Dennis Trainor detailed years of complaints, saying the Pitts property had been filled with truckloads of dirt without required permits, that old shingles had been buried and burned on site, and that a culvert on the Pitts property redirected water into nearby ditches and onto Wiggins Road, contributing to erosion and damaged driveways. Trainor referenced parish rules (Chapter 900, section 900-65) prohibiting fill in sensitive drainage areas without engineer-approved plans and a site-work permit.

Leon Pitts and supporters pushed back, saying they were trying to improve the land and disputed claims of flooding and erosion. A nearby resident said the fire department had inspected the property and found permitted activity except for burning at night. Commissioners noted visible changes in aerial imagery and discussed whether prior code enforcement cases had existed; staff said past cases may have been closed and that current open cases did not exist.

Commissioner Robert, citing aerial imagery showing material hauled to the rear of the property and concerns about compatibility with the rural overlay intent, moved to deny the overlay request. The motion to deny passed. Commissioners said denial was a recommendation to the parish council and that the petitioner may appeal.

Next steps: Petitioners may appeal the commission's recommendation to the parish council; any outstanding code-enforcement or permit issues would be handled separately by parish staff.