Planning commission postpones multiple rezoning reviews after community meeting requests and concerns about nonconforming lots

At a St. Tammany Parish Planning Commission meeting, members voted to postpone three zoning items to allow more community engagement and staff follow-up on nonconforming-lot impacts. Commissioners approved staff requests to delay a Central Saint Tammany overlay amendment and individual rezoning petitions while asking that the items appear in the next meeting packet.

Commissioner Robert moved to postpone the staff-requested amendment to the parish zoning map and Unified Development Code related to the Central Saint Tammany Overlay Study; Commissioner Martino seconded and the motion carried. Staff had asked for a two-month delay to allow additional review.

Petitioner Paul Maroon, representing Bidco Creek Preserve, LLC, asked commissioners to table CC 96 08046 so Parish Councilwoman Kathy Seiden could hold a community meeting without the developer present. Paul Maroon said the councilmember requested a meeting to discuss the proposal with neighbors first; he asked the commission to defer action until that meeting occurs. An audience member, Jeff Frederick, noted he wanted clarity about the councilmember and where to get more information, saying, "Clarity is power," and asking who the parish councilwoman is. Staff confirmed the councilmember as Kathy Seiden and directed interested residents to the council office for details.

After discussion about public notification and the need to include the rezoning in the next packet, the commission approved a 30-day postponement to allow the community meeting and to give commissioners time to review any new material.

A parish-government petition proposing multiple parcel rezonings near Dull Park Road prompted extended public comment and commissioner questioning about nonconforming lots. Resident Tony Diaz said he was concerned that rezoning long-held rural parcels to allow smaller lots would permit more houses and change the character of the area, urging commissioners to vote against the rezoning. A parcel owner who supported the rezoning (appearing as Miss/Stephens/Stevens in the record) said the requested change would make those parcels consistent with denser zoning nearby.

Commissioners raised legal and practical concerns: staff noted four existing lots would remain legally nonconforming under the proposed L-1 zoning; commissioners said the area lacks uniform zoning and questioned whether the action would create more nonconforming lots of record. Commissioner Narcisse asked whether the commission could exclude specific nonconforming parcels from the rezoning; staff explained parcels can be separated for recommendation but advertising requirements limit on-the-fly density changes. Commissioners also flagged an apparent removal of a moratorium designation on parish GIS in the affected square and requested hydrology and drainage information before changing density.

Given those concerns and the need to coordinate with the Parish Council representative, the commission voted to postpone the parish petition for one month so staff and the petitioner could address the nonconforming-lot language, hydrology questions and public outreach.

What’s next: The postponed items will be returned in the next published packet. Commissioners asked staff to clarify which parcels would be excluded or re-advertised, to provide drainage/hydrology data for the Dove Park area, and to coordinate with Councilwoman Kathy Seiden’s planned community meeting.