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Covington council approves rezoning, surplus declaration, disaster-housing waiver and land-negotiation authorization; short-term rentals ordinance tabled
Summary
The council voted to reclassify a parcel from RM-2 to RS-1, declared surplus city equipment, opted into the state's expedited temporary-housing program (waiving certain land-use permitting), and authorized negotiating to buy Lot 13B in Old Landing Subdivision; a proposed short-term rentals amendment was tabled for further review.
At its Sept. 10 meeting the Covington City Council advanced several land-use and administrative items, approving a rezoning ordinance, a surplus-equipment declaration and two resolutions while tabling a short-term rentals ordinance for further consideration.
Councilman Roberts described the rezoning (Ordinance 2024-08-01) as a reduction in density, asking the council to move a parcel from RM-2 (multifamily residential) to RS-1 (single-family residential). The council closed the public hearing, moved to adopt and approved the ordinance by roll call.
The council also adopted Ordinance 2024-08-02 to declare certain city equipment surplus. During discussion council members noted the list included items no longer used by departments and that proceeds from any sale would be net receipts to the city.
On disaster response, the council approved Resolution 2024-32 to opt into the State of Louisiana’s expedited temporary housing assistance program by waiving local land-use permitting requirements. A member of the public clarified the choice to “opt in” versus “opt out,” noting that opting out could delay sheltering; the council recorded the motion, seconded it and approved the waiver by roll call.
Council also approved Resolution 2024-33 authorizing the mayor to negotiate a purchase agreement for Lot 13B in the Old Landing Subdivision, a roughly half-acre parcel adjacent to Nose Park that council members described as a rare opportunity to expand parkland.
Earlier in the meeting the council introduced Ordinance 2024-09-01 (the proposed 2025 operating budget and five-year capital outlay plan), Ordinance 2024-09-02 (mayor compensation for 2025) and Ordinance 2024-09-03 (an amendment to the 2024 operating and capital budget) as part of the consent calendar; the consent calendar was approved by roll call. Councilman McKinnon moved to table the proposed short-term-rentals amendment (Ordinance 2024-07-02) to allow further review and planning staff due diligence; the motion to table was approved by roll call.
In administrative remarks, an administration representative outlined hurricane preparedness measures and several recently executed or bid contracts, including: a Clearwater Utility contract to redo the Boulevard Park sewage lift station ($58,000), a Highway 190 lift station project ($589,000), a land-clearing contract for Savannah Pond ($272,000), roundabout design ($814,000) and citywide striping ($34,000). The administration said the city has pre-positioned utility crews and prioritized restoration for hospitals, nursing homes and critical infrastructure.
