Ouachita Parish establishes planning commission for unincorporated areas

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury adopted Ordinance No. 9551 on June 1, 2026, creating the Ouachita Parish Planning Commission for the parish's unincorporated areas. The ordinance passed by roll call vote 5–0, with one juror absent.

The ordinance, introduced by Mrs. Toni Bacon, implements recommendations from the 2025–2026 Parish Comprehensive Plan and cites Louisiana Revised Statutes 33:101 et seq. It establishes a seven-member advisory commission appointed by the Police Jury (one nominee per each of six districts and one at-large member nominated by the OPPJ president). Initial terms are staggered (two and four years), after which members serve four-year terms. The ordinance specifies that the commission is advisory and states explicitly that it is not intended to create zoning districts or exercise zoning authority not authorized by law.

Under the ordinance the commission may review and periodically update the comprehensive plan, conduct studies and public meetings on transportation, drainage, housing, utilities, economic development and environmental matters, and make recommendations to the Police Jury. The commission is directed to coordinate with regional partners including the North Delta Regional Planning and Development District and the Monroe Metropolitan Planning Organization. Members will serve without compensation unless the Parish authorizes otherwise and must receive at least four hours of training in duties and ethics within their first year in office.

The ordinance was adopted on a roll call vote with Mrs. Toni Bacon, Mr. Jimmy Tyson, Mr. Michael Thompson, Mr. Shane Smiley and Mr. Lonnie Hudson voting yea; Mr. Larry Bratton was absent. The ordinance does not specify an effective date in the meeting minutes.