Livingston Parish zoning panel recommends four rezoning changes, including narrow 4–3 approval for mobile‑home rezone

The Livingston Parish zoning commission on April 7 held public hearings on four rezoning requests and recommended approval of each, forwarding the items to the parish council for final action.

In one of the lengthier debates, the commission recommended approval of Case 26‑31, a request to rezone a tract on LA Highway 42 at Perdue Road (parcel 0187666) from R1 (single‑family residential) to MH (mobile‑home), by a 4–3 vote. The property owner told the commission he purchased the tract decades ago and described plans to upgrade an adjoining mobile‑home park with paved streets, curbs and other site improvements; he said the intent is to provide newly built, higher‑quality rental lots rather than sales of individual lots. Reverend Clarence Harris Sr., who lives in the neighborhood, told the panel he canvassed neighbors and found general support for the project.

Commissioners pressing the developer asked about drainage and water capacity, noting portions of the area are low‑lying and have experienced flooding; staff and the owner said planning‑phase reviews and required construction standards would address water and drainage questions. Commissioner comments also referenced the parish’s future land‑use map, with at least one commissioner noting that the map recommends lower‑density uses for the area but that the map is advisory rather than regulatory.

Other rezoning recommendations were cleaner and drew little opposition. Case 26‑28 (8422 Vincent Road, parcel 0096064) was requested by a property owner, Linda Babin, who said the property has been absorbed by surrounding commercial development; the commission approved rezoning from R1 to C1 after a brief public comment period. Case 26‑29 (28651 James Chapel Road South, parcel 0182485) involved a one‑acre parcel the owners, John and Sandy Clarity, said had been rezoned to commercial without their knowledge; staff recommended returning it to residential and the commission approved the cleanup rezoning unanimously. Case 26‑30 (Dan Pearson Road, parcel 0142745) was approved to change from R1 to AG at the owner’s request; commissioners noted the parcel’s periodic flooding but the owner said he did not plan to subdivide.

Votes at a glance: - Case 26‑28 (8422 Vincent Road, R1 → C1): motion to approve carried (vote recorded in session; two commissioners abstained). - Case 26‑29 (28651 James Chapel Road South, CI → R1): approved, unanimous recommendation. - Case 26‑30 (Dan Pearson Road, R1 → AG): approved, unanimous recommendation. - Case 26‑31 (LA Highway 42 at Perdue Road, R1 → MH): recommended for approval by a 4–3 vote; the commission’s recommendation now goes to the parish council for final action.

What speakers said: - Linda Babin, a property owner speaking on Case 26‑28, said the parcel has been “swallowed up by all the commercial around us” and asked that the commission allow a commercial use. - John and Sandy Clarity, owners in Case 26‑29, said the one‑acre parcel had been rezoned to commercial without their knowledge and asked that it be returned to residential. - A property owner seeking Case 26‑31 described plans to upgrade an existing mobile‑home park and to rent improved lots; he said older trailers damaged by past storms were being removed and the development would include paved streets and other site improvements. - Reverend Clarence Harris Sr., who identified himself as a neighborhood resident, told the commission he canvassed neighbors and found support for the proposed mobile‑home project.

Next steps: The commission’s recommendations are advisory; final approval for each rezoning rests with the parish council. The commission noted that infrastructure and planning‑phase reviews — including drainage and water service checks — will be required before any construction permits or subdivisions are approved.