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Commissioners deny rezoning request in Dull Park area after floodplain concerns
Summary
A proposed rezoning north of Dull Park Road in Mandeville was denied after residents and staff cited moratoriums and parish watershed modeling showing widespread inundation; commissioners concluded increased density would worsen existing drainage problems.
The commission voted to deny a petition to rezone roughly 3.33 acres north of Dull Park Road from R‑2 to L1 large‑lot residential.
Staff described the request as an effort to bring uniform zoning to the block and noted it had been postponed from the prior meeting. No petitioner representative appeared; the petition read as submitted by St. Tammany Parish government. Residents including Tony Dice and others opposed the change, citing moratoriums and repeated flooding on nearby Burrus Ranch Road and narrow, semi‑hidden driveways that would complicate access and drainage.
Commissioner Robert and parish floodplain staff referenced watershed modeling and spot elevations that indicate existing base‑flood inundation across portions of the block; staff warned the area currently provides floodplain storage and that adding density could recreate historical drainage problems. Commissioner Robert moved to deny the rezoning; the motion carried.
Why it matters: Staff and residents argued the site functions as important floodplain storage and that rezoning to increase density would raise safety and infrastructure risks in a recognized area of special concern. The vote preserves the existing zoning and places the block back under moratorium protections described by speakers.
Next steps: The denial carries; the commission recorded no further direction for staff beyond retaining the current zoning.
