Assumption Parish adopts ordinance allowing administrative approval of minor subdivisions

The Assumption Parish Police Jury on June 24 adopted Ordinance 26-07 amending the parish—ode—or land development to allow administrative approval of minor subdivisions by the parish permit office and the Police Jury President.

The change, described during a public hearing, defines a minor subdivision as three lots or fewer and removes the requirement that every minor subdivision be presented to the full jury for final plat approval. The ordinance amends sections 26-22, 26-23 and 26-26 to make administrative approval the final step for qualifying minor plats and to limit the formal public-hearing requirement for certain procedural phases.

Permit staff explained that the amendment codifies current practice in which the permit office reviews plans and, when standards are met, the President may sign plats. ADA Michael Calabro confirmed the threshold for a minor subdivision and the process described by staff. Public commenters asked for clarification about when administrative approval would apply and how notice would be provided.

Supporters of the change said it speeds routine subdivisions that meet technical standards, while the ordinance retains public-notice provisions for other stages and requires a public hearing for major developments. The ordinance text requires the permit office to send comments to the jury and allows the jury to schedule a hearing if necessary; the ordinance becomes effective immediately.

The jury voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance.